AUCKLAND’S COUNCIL’S RECORD RATES INCREASE
‘Auckland Council doesn’t have a revenue problem – it has a spending problem’ In full cry at the 3 February Governing Body meeting (screenshot from the Youtube video)The following is a transcript of my...
Ponui Kiwi for Waiheke?
Letter to the editor Gulf News Dear Editor, In regard to the forthcoming talk by the inspirational Paul Ward hosted by Te Korowai o Waiheke, it’s really encouraging to hear of good news on...
The election of paradoxes: how the ‘insider’ was really the outsider – and vice versa
This is my last column as the councillor for Waitematā & Gulf so I wish to thank all the wonderful people who have helped and supported me over my time as your representative. A...
John Dunmore, Norman Kirk and Marion Dufresne – extracts from the Dunmore Medal award ceremony address
John Dunmore, Norman Kirk and Marion Dufresne – extracts from the Dunmore Medal award ceremony address This month I thought I would share extracts from my address at the award ceremony of the Dunmore...
Plan Change 120: Aucklanders pushing back against the council’s ‘densification madness’
Plan Change 120 the latest round of urban intensification imposed on Aucklanders by Auckland Council and the government is proving to be deeply unpopular with Aucklanders – and not just in this ward. Over...
The elections with multiple messages
The 2025 local body elections are over with the Official Results finally released. First, I wish to thank all those people who voted for me, especially the dedicated team of volunteers led by Puneet...
Kangaroos in the Hauraki Gulf
the remarkable story of Kawau Island’s wallabies Auckland Council is currently spending millions of dollars to eradicate wallabies from Kawau using 1080, guns, dogs and drones. It’s a divisive issue unfortunately and I frankly...
Local Body elections – the decision is now in your hands
Dear Waitematā & Gulf voters, A recent Auckland@15 survey revealed ‘low trust in council governance’ with only ‘18% of Aucklanders feeling they have influence over council decisions.’ Despite the council now taking over $3 billion in rates and...
Housing unaffortability & the consequences of the Left’s ongoing alignment neoliberal developer friendly deregulation policies
How do we solve the housing crisis and the problem of housing unaffordability The housing crisis, and the persistant failure by the political class to solve it, is in many ways the consequences of...
Council’s high rise towers plan will not help affordability but will wreck heritage neighbourhoods
This to enable property developers to reach into the highly desirable northern slopes of St Mary’s and Herne Bays currently a special character area. ‘Location, location, location’. Photo Grant Mountjoy.
High Noon for helipads
Helipads and their ear-shattering impacts on neighbours have become highly controversial in recent years, especially so in this ward. The issue was brought to a head once agaIn by the now rather notorious proposed...
The Killing of Queens Street; the sad end of Smith & Caughey’s
The elitist ‘City Centre Master Plan’ is strangling the life out of the city centre The closing of Smith & Caughey’s with the loss of 98 jobs after 145 years as Auckland’s premier department...