Electric Trains in Auckland – here at last!
It’s been a long time coming, and believe me, it wasn’t easy getting there, but Auckland’s new electric trains have now entered service – opening a new era in Auckland’s history. While Wellington’s rail...
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Saving the Hunua kokako – speech at the 20th anniversary celebrations
It is an honour to be with you today, 20 years after the establishment of the Kokako Management Area in the Hunua Ranges, to share in the celebration of your great achievement. As we...
Unitary Plan’s parallel iwi consent system causing dis-unity.
As we know the Unitary Plan was rushed through the Council last year with extraordinary speed. Little or no time was given to consider the huge amount of public feedback – nor did the...
The plight of the South island kokako – extinction by arm-chair?
This month for once I want to get as far away as possible from local city issues – and travel to the remote deep forests of the west coast of the South Island, where...
Time to end the undeclared ‘civil war’ between motorists and cyclists
The terrible accident in which 37 year old cyclist John Tangiia was killed by a truck at the Parnell Rise, Stanley Street intersection early in January put the issue of cycling safety squarely back...
Facing up to history – 2013 and the year of anniversaries
As the year 2013 hurries to its close it is worth noting how many important historic anniversaries occurred this year. It is also interesting to note that we chose to ignore most of them. ...
Dallas in November – (Farewell to the 20th Century). Mike Lee concludes his 1999 ‘political travelogue’
This article was the final of a 3 part series covering my trip around the world in October and November 1999 – appeared in the NZ Political Review in September 2001. I have republished...
Death of a soldier – my tribute to Ted Lees.
(Eulogy presented at St Mary’s Church, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, 18 November 2013). I wish to thank Mrs Shirley Lees for asking me to speak here today. I am honoured to be given the...
First Tall Ship Festival – an outstanding success and reminder of Auckland’s maritime heritage
Labour weekend will stay in the memory of those estimated 200,000 Aucklanders* who witnessed the spectacular arrival and departure or who came down to the waterfront to see the magnificent tall ship fleet. It...
Election battle won – but the fight goes on
First of all I wish to sincerely thank the people of Waitemata & Gulf for re-electing me with such a resounding majority. During the election campaign getting out and about meeting local residents and...