transport Archive

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  Can’t or won’t? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  On Tuesday, Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development and Science and innovation, wrote about the ‘you cant’s’ of our country, in an opinion piece in the NZ Herald. Feeling that perhaps I am one of those people he criticises as ‘people who in the one breath chant “more jobs, more jobs” and then in the next breath say “but don’t do that, or that, or that”, I thought I would ask Mr Joyce a few questions about why he and... read more
  February 10, 2012 2:11 pm - 10 Comments
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  Cycling to Southland — Epilogue - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  This is how the story ends. Yesterday I took apart my bike and crammed it into the small rental car of a friend attending the festival. We drove back to Dunedin airport, where incredibly helpful people gave us materials to pack up the bike. Upon arrival in Wellington, I unpacked it, put it back together [...] read more
  January 24, 2012 3:37 pm - 22 Comments
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  Day 6 – just 110km or so to go - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  I’m nearly in Southland, having traversed coastal Otago, and headed west into the strong winds this evening. I left beautiful Karitane this morning, after an incredible breakfast that included gluten free pancakes made by my exceedingly generous hosts. The morning was cool and overcast, perfect conditions for cycling, and still very beautiful. The ocean was [...] read more
  January 20, 2012 3:55 pm - 2 Comments
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  Day 4 — The strawberry trail into Otago (after a slightly emo pep talk) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  Disclaimer: the purpose of this trip is not any of the following A. To reduce my own carbon footprint (I try to do that, but the reality is that I have to fly back) B. To encourage others to risk their lives cycling on state highways C. To say that everyone should always cycle or take [...] read more
  January 17, 2012 11:26 pm - 7 Comments
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  Cycling to Southland – Day 1 (the easy part) - by Julie Anne Genter

  
  
  
  When I initially conceived of this journey to Southland by bike, I hoped to cycle down the west coast from Picton. But a quick look at the distance (over 1000km) and the calendar made it clear it would be impossible to get to the festival by the 21st. So I decided to take the train [...] read more
  January 14, 2012 11:03 pm - 34 Comments
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  Minister should come clean on uneconomic motorways - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  What does the Minister have to hide on his expensive motorways? read more
  December 7, 2011 2:07 pm - 2 Comments
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  Greens still best for Auckland transport - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  National and Labour have now both revealed their transport plans for Auckland. read more
  October 30, 2011 5:17 pm - 26 Comments
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  Uranium yellowcake in nuclear-Free New Zealand ports - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I think many Kiwis would be shocked to find out Nuclear-Free New Zealand is playing a role in the international nuclear chain but even more so in the aftermath of the Rena tragedy that consenting requirements and response strategies are woefully inadequate. read more
  October 30, 2011 4:45 pm - 18 Comments
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  Park the urban sprawl – how parking shapes our cities - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The Herald reports the government has been criticizing Auckland Council for it’s new spatial plan. The government says the spatial plan places too much emphasis on improving public transport and creating a compact urban form (as if they’re bad!). read more
  October 27, 2011 9:18 am - 7 Comments
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  Transport funding CONsultation - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  A few months ago I wrote a draft submission on the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport funding and encouraged members of the public to send it in. Normally, I generally don’t encourage people to make form submissions on a topic but because the issue of land transport funding is pretty technical I wanted to [...] read more
  October 18, 2011 1:55 pm - 5 Comments
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  Government slow to act on Rena highlights oil drilling risks - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  As oil hits the shore I’d like to salute the hundreds of people working very hard to contain the spill and volunteers registering to clean up the beaches. It’s a deeply worrying situation especially with a severe weather warning issued. The Government and petroleum industry have gone on the defensive over the speed of the [...] read more
  October 10, 2011 4:27 pm - 22 Comments
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  Joyce needs to act decisively on Rena crisis - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  It is deeply concerning to see the stricken ship Rena, leaking oil into the ocean near Tauranga Harbour. This is looking like a full-scale environmental disaster. read more
  October 7, 2011 5:26 pm - 60 Comments
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  Cruisin’ with Charles on Carfree Day - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Today is World Carfree Day – how did you get around? Did you have a choice of safe walking or cycling; or to catch a bus, train or ferry; or were you like many Kiwis and was driving your only choice? World Carfree Day is a great day to say we deserve choices about how [...] read more
  September 22, 2011 2:07 pm - 5 Comments
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  Transport fiasco inquiry blocked - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  Just now the National-dominated Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee blocked my attempt at the committee conducting an urgent inquiry into the transport fiasco on the opening night of the Rugby World Cup. read more
  September 15, 2011 11:40 am - 10 Comments
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  Why won’t National listen to Auckland on CBD rail link? - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I was astonished that a few weeks back Auckland MPs voted against inviting the Auckland Council to submit on the CBD rail link debate. I can only talk about it now because the report containing my minority report was tabled in Parliament today. The Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee was discussing my petition to [...] read more
  September 8, 2011 4:52 pm - 11 Comments
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  Mayoral backing for Auckland Harbour Bridge Walkway/Cycleway - by Keith Locke

  
  
  
  It looks like there may be a breakthrough in the years long campaign for a bikeway/cycleway over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Yesterday I attended the launch of the Pathway Working Group”s concept plan in the newly opened waterfront Wynyard Quarter. Auckland Mayor Len Brown spoke very positively about the plan, and it was supported by [...] read more
  August 22, 2011 10:12 am - 2 Comments
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  Exciting next phase in National Cycle Network - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  I’m writing this from the Overlander train, heading North to Taumarunui. Tomorrow morning I’m part of an event there to launch the next phase of Nga Haerenga: the New Zealand Cycle Trail Network. Nga Haerenga is a joint project of the Green and National parties – Green cycling expertise and Government money. You may remember [...] read more
  August 19, 2011 9:43 am - 2 Comments
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  Round up of transport news - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  I’ve been whipping around the country a lot lately visiting students at Orientation. So I haven’t had a chance to post much. But here’s a bit of a round up of the big transport stories of the last few weeks and my reaction. More funds for rail upgrades in Wellington. The government has announced an [...] read more
  August 2, 2011 6:59 pm - 10 Comments
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  A transport poll Joyce won’t like - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  A Herald-DigiPoll released today shows what we’ve been saying for months – Aucklanders want a CBD rail link, not more roads. read more
  July 14, 2011 6:54 pm - 6 Comments
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  The flyover, the tunnel and the bulldozers - by Gareth Hughes

  
  
  
  The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has released their plans for a flyover next to the Basin Reserve, a second Mt Victoria tunnel and the widening of Ruahine St and Wellington Rd up to seven lanes. Despite clear opposition to the flyover, the NZTA have offered Wellingtonians two options of the same 8 metre high [...] read more
  July 8, 2011 2:37 pm - 8 Comments