new zealand Archive

  • frog

    Joyce controlled transport for Auckland?



    As I noted last week, Granny Herald has finally woken up to the dangers of Rodney Hide and Steven Joyce’s plans for local government in Auckland. They’ve been running a useful series of articles about the proposed council controlled organizations. In particular, the Herald (and mayors) are concerned that all responsibility for transport issues, will be [...] read more
    March 15, 2010 9:00 am - 9 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Auckland’s CBD rail loop gets one step closer



    A preferred alignment for an underground rail loop to run through Auckland’s CBD was announced yesterday by ARTA. This is exciting news as it means this crucial project is coming one step closer to completion. You can see that there will be three stations, one near Aotea Square, Karangahape Road, and Symonds Street. ARTA estimate that [...] read more
    March 12, 2010 4:48 pm - 25 Comments
  • David Clendon

    Protect Our Pacific from climate change



    On Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending a meeting to hear from Pelenise Pilitati a well known community leader and climate activist from Kiribati. As you can see from this Youtube clip, hearing Pelenise talk brings home the stark reality of the ways that climate change is already affecting Kiribati. She described how in the [...] read more
    March 12, 2010 11:22 am - 33 Comments
  • frog

    Sign petition to stop National developing Waitakeres



    As David Clendon blogged last week there has been a lot of concern in West Auckland about the  impacts the third super city bill might have on the Waitakere Ranges. First, Westies were concerned that the Bill might lead to the Waitakeres being taken away from the Auckland Council and made into a [...] read more
    February 24, 2010 1:36 pm - 5 Comments
  • David Clendon

    Stop National stealing the Waitakeres



    I put out a press release yesterday highlighting a well-hidden clause in the third Auckland Council Bill which aims to nationalize Waitakere Regional Park. On Page 163 of the Bill is a clause which would repeal Section 77(1) of the Local Government Act. This means that the Waitakeres would no longer belong to Auckland Regional Council [...] read more
    February 11, 2010 12:24 pm - 6 Comments
  • frog

    Submit to save the Stratford to Okahukura Rail Line



    Kiwirail is considering closing the Stratford to Okahukura Rail Line because of damage to the tracks after a derailment last year. Kiwirail has told the media they are asking for submissions from the public before making a decision. Although, in practice, I can’t see any mention of the submission process on their website… Anyway, if you want [...] read more
    February 10, 2010 5:36 pm - 14 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Popping the balloon of secrecy around Waihopai



    Last weekend’s protest at Waihopai was the usual colourful affair. It began with a march through Blenheim, and speeches from Murray Horton, John Minto and myself. We then adjourned to the spy base itself, up the beautiful Waihopai Valley. More speeches and chants followed by the ceremonial popping of 13 white ballons, each displaying a letter [...] read more
    January 26, 2010 2:29 pm - 53 Comments
  • Keith Locke

    Bearded Apiata on NZ Army website



    There are two (related) debates raging following the decision of the Herald and other newpapers to publish the photo of VC winner Willie Apiata on active duty in Kabul following a Taliban attack. The Christchurch Press argues this morning that it was just sharing a photo ‘that anyone could see on the internet’. The Press denies [...] read more
    January 25, 2010 12:04 pm - 14 Comments
  • frog

    The Minister’s sea lion dilemma



    The annual sea lion sacrifice approaches. This year is not a normal year though. Last summer the pup population nose-dived, by nearly a third. And every mum lost in a net is a number of pups that will not be born. How many will the Minister sacrifice? The first female sea lion to give birth to a pup on the NZ mainland in modern times makes a plea from the big screen. read more
    October 12, 2009 8:13 pm - 2 Comments
  • Kevin Hague

    What’s in a number?



    For those working in the health sector a general election tends to bring a frisson of apprehension: will the positive momentum built with the current structure be, as usual, swept away by the political wind of structural change? The Minister’s “razor gang” review of the health sector recommends splitting the Ministry of Health in two [...] read more
    September 27, 2009 9:00 am - 2 Comments
Older entries »