The Local Board term in review
My end of term report for the 2022-2025 term, one which has seen a budgetary crisis, two one in one hundred year storms a week apart and continued activity in the environmental, artistic and community areas.
Why a Rates Cap would be disastrous for Auckland
The Taxpayers Union has been bombarding candidates demanding they sign up to a pledge to cap Council rates. Here is why I will not sign their pledge.
Councils’ obligations to Māori
Kaipara District Council has circulated throughout the country a Franks Ogilvie opinion suggesting that local government obligations to Māori are limited. But even a cursory review of the opinion suggests that it is flawed and should not be used to minimise respect for Māori.
Te Kawerau ā Maki, the Deed and the Joint Committee
This post sets out my reasons for supporting the Deed of Acknowledgement between Auckland Council and Te Kaewrau a Maki and the joint committee for the Waitakere Ranges parkland.
Victory Road Slip
Continued road stability issues out west mean that as a city we are going to have to radically change the way we handle road maintenance.
The Deed of Acknowledgement with Te Kawerau ā Maki
Auckland Council's proposed deed of acknowledgement with local iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki is not as claimed in the media co-governance. Instead it is a very modest proposal to give them a say in the management of public land taken off them in breach of their treaty rights.
About Auckland Council's Shoreline Adaption Plans
Auckland Council is currently consulting about the future of Council assets in coastal areas affected by rising sea levels. Feedback received so far suggests people want this to be a much larger discussion involving the future of roads and private property, not just Council assets.
So much for Localism and Devolution
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the Government will do away with Local Government's obligations to consider the social, cultural and environmental implications of their decisions.
Three Waters lite
The Government has announced the reaching of an agreement with Auckland Council about Watercare which will over time be more expensive than Labour's Tree Water alternative.
Simeon Brown works to make transport system less sustainable
This week we have seen National confirm it will cancel the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax and this will cause the cancellation or suspension of many projects designed to address congestion. And it has been confirmed that axing the clean car discount has seen sales of electric vehicles plummet. And that electric vehicles will shortly pay more to use the road than petrol vehicles.
Tree protection for urban trees to be restored
The Government is set to overturn the previous National Government's laws that prevented proper protection of urban trees and which has seen a stampede of urban tree removal.