High-handed Council alienating too many people
What a gorgeous summer it’s been – the ‘Auckland Dream’, the pursuit of which brought me from Wellington when I was 21. Unfortunately it’s not been the happiest summer for everyone in Waitematā. From...
Author: Mike Lee
Submission against so-called ‘dolphins’ extension to Queens Wharf
BEFORE THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONERS IN THE MATTER of s88 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Application for Resource Consent CST60323353 by Panuku – Development Auckland, for consent to construct two mooring dolphins located at...
How Auckland Council and AT are stuffing up the waterfront
“Over the next 10 years, Auckland Council has a vision to transform the waterfront into an attractive, people friendly environment. Auckland Transport will be delivering the first part of this vision from 2018 to...
‘Navigators & Naturalists’ – the book
Next year 2019 will be the 250th anniversary of the visit to New Zealand of James Cook and the Endeavour. No doubt, any commemoration will be accompanied by controversy and debate but hopefully the...
Conflicts of Interest: Twyford’s light rail project based on questionable advice
Transport Minister Twyford’s defence of his unpopular light rail to the airport plan (Dialogue 25 October 2019) was light on argument but heavy on references to ‘experts’. The Minister will need to do better...
The fight for the Waitemata waterfront
The news of another waterfront stadium, this one to be sunk in the harbour is the latest in a long list of controversial waterfront developments proposed or under way. The real estate consortium pushing...
Gerrymander? – Waitemata & Gulf under threat…from Auckland Council
Under the Local Electoral Act Auckland Council must undertake a representation review every 6 years to ensure there is a ‘fair’ balance between the population sizes of the wards and ‘effective representation’ of communities...
My submission before Auckland Council’s independent commissioners against ‘Healthy Waters’ discharge of sewage into the harbour
BEFORE THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONERS ON BEHALF OF AUCKLAND COUNCIL IN THE MATTER of s88 of the Resource Management Act 1991 AND IN THE MATTER of Application BUN60319388 by Healthy Waters, Auckland Council for resource consents for the...
How ego, technical ignorance and group-think sabotaged two sensible rail plans for Auckland
People may have noticed a subtle change in the wording of the latest official publicity about the proposed $3.5b light rail to Auckland International Airport project. Mysteriously the word airport’ has been airbrushed out....
Rakitu rat eradication – message to my Great Barrier constituents
The following letter was sent to the Barrier Bulletin the local newspaper on Great Barrier Island and was published in April. I wrote it because a sort of moral panic, in part drummed-up by...