$22,000,000,000 on just one road?
Last year, I posted about the challenges I faced, trying to daylight public-interest information about the government’s Roads of National Significance programme. As I wrote then, entire documents – including even titles – were being withheld on what looked to me like flimsy grounds.…
71 Comments Auckland’s next harbour crossing: A costly failure that needs fixing
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in The Post on February 13th 2026. We need cross-party consensus for good long-term political decision-making, especially when it comes to major infrastructure. Right now, this isn’t happening. Worse: political parties may agree about the wrong things, seriously undermining our future at huge cost.…
Midtown Trial: Who wants to ruin Queen St?
Earlier this week, I detailed how Auckland Transport is messing up Midtown with a proposed trial on Queen Street and Wellesley Street.
AT’s trial will: Reopen the section of Queen St between Wakefield and Wellesley to general vehicles, from 7pm – 7am (Currently, this is a 24/7 AVO zone – Authorised Vehicles Only – used by buses, bikes, mopeds, motorbikes, emergency vehicles, and registered goods vehicles.)…
Midtown Trial: How AT are making a mess of Queen St & Wellesley St
Just before Christmas, Auckland Transport (AT) let slip a plan for a two-year “trial” of bringing back overnight traffic along Queen Street.
Specifically, they want to reopen the section of Queen St between Wakefield and Wellesley to general vehicles, from 7pm – 7am.…
“Splashing out” on climate resilience?
On Saturday, an online headline in the NZ Herald hollered: “Auckland Council’s $3.9 billion splurge: Where buyouts, tunnels and a busway took the cash.”
A shorter version graced the print edition wrapper: “BIG SPENDERS: Auckland’s $3.9b infrastructure splurge.”
Right next to “Early warning signs: Missed chances to clear Mt Maunganui campground revealed.”…
The promise of PC120: saying yes to more homes
This piece originally ran as an op-ed in the NZ Herald on Friday. To find out more about the Coalition for More Homes and get involved in YIMBY action, check out the website. Last year, 200 people packed out a town hall in Mt Eden to protest apartment buildings being constructed near train stations – and therefore their house.…
We can have nice things
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in The Post on December 23rd 2025. As we head into a long hot summer in Tāmaki Makaurau, people are flocking to the many wonderful places that have opened this year, and perhaps even getting there in new ways.…
2025 – A Year in Review
Here we are at the end of 2025, so it’s time for quick wrap-up of the most important things that happened this year for urbanism and transport in our city.
A huge thank you to everyone who has visited the blog, shared our work, and supported us in our mission to make a greater Tāmaki Makaurau.…
What’s in the RoNS files?
Earlier this week, Te Waihanga, The Infrastructure Commission, called for more transparency for infrastructure investment.
I thoroughly agree. A lack of transparency, especially in mega projects, has been a hallmark of the transport sector in New Zealand – and not only is it detrimental to the public interest, it also prevents improvements to how we do infrastructure as a country.…
It’s time to stand up for a better Queen Street, again!
Here we are again. For the umpteenth time, more changes are being proposed for Queen Street (and Midtown).
Unfortunately, these are not good changes, and they include pouring traffic back into the short section of Queen Street that’s currently car-free, between Wakefield St.…
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