The last month has seen a series of unhappy incidents that remind us that the neo-liberal reforms of the 80s and 90s still have a baleful influence on our public life – even in...
I planned to write something entirely non-political this month – about the latest conservation news on the Gulf islands – but now feel compelled to offer a few words on the Charlie Hebdo massacre....
Motu Kaikoura rat management programme – progress report. Michael Lee Trustee. December 2014. Motu Kaikoura (535ha) is a crown-owned scenic reserve purchased in 2004 after a public campaign, by a combination of...
Trams are back in the news of late. Auckland Transport planners theorise that Light Rail is the best option for future rail to the airport. I disagree with that (which you might find surprising...
The 1st November will be the 4th anniversary of the beginning of Auckland’s new ‘super city’ council. Much was promised when the seven former territorial local authorities and the Auckland Regional Council were disbanded/amalgamated...
Now that the dust is settling on the rather tumultuous events of the 2014 General Election – Labour’s worst performance in 92 years – and with the resignation – well sort of – of...
I find it an intriguing aspect of modern democratic societies – where power is contested by two major rival parties – that the closer their policies get, the more bitter and rancorous their political...
This month we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War of 1914-18. I have been aware of this approaching anniversary for time now and helped set up a special committee...
Last month, we learned from Bernard Orsman of the NZ Herald of leaked proposals to build two, three-storey office and car park buildings at the Quay Street end of Queens Wharf. This month the...
The National government has announced the end of its assets sales programme, which on the face of it should bring to a close New Zealand’s shameful era of privatization – of country selling. While...
