Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Well, Modernism is so last century… (heheh)

^Cartoon above by Auckland architect Malcolm Walker

Robbie says:

*Sculpture by Toby Twiss

Auckland Rapid Transit Network (RTN) plan with red showing combined rail and busway network as will be in 2027, and two further busways ‘in design’ in green. One thing I will do if elected is push for unified branding of this top tier system as ART Auckland Rapid Transit.

Here with great Auckland Mayor Sir Dove-Meyer ‘Robbie’ Robinson, in office 1968-80, famous for trying to build a Rapid Transit systems ‘Robbie’s Rail’. So overdue, but also now within reach. My top priority, and what really started my involvement in AKl policy:

Two great heritage buildings in downtown Auckland, shot on my phone. The Old Customs House 1888, now ironically a duty free store, and West Plaza 1974 by Neville Price. Both buildings more than a little derivative, the later inspired by Ponti’s Pirelli Tower 1958, Milan. The former, well obviously..

96.59% is broad gauge. Of which 97.05% (Feb 2025) is electrified.
I think it’s reasonable to describe that as ‘almost 100%’

But, the logistics of running a library and fixing the building around it, is much worse. The is about creating a much better up to date purpose built library. And it can stay as it is, where it is, until the new home is ready.

YouTube video by Cleaning Up Podcast What India Gets Right About The Energy Transition | Ep226: Dr Arunabha Ghosh

Yes. India is both electrifying its remaining population + decarbonising what is still a dirty system. Direction of travel is already impressive (2024: 10% solar + wind). Both China + India have already made the massive achievement of halting fossil growth. Detail below:
youtu.be/qMrn-JewoCo?...

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

The only pathway to true abundance.

Indian Railways to achieve net zero targets in 2025 itself - 5 years ahead of 2030 goal - Times of India India Business News: Indian Railways is set to achieve net-zero targets by year-end, surpassing its 2030 goal through extensive electrification. Aiming for 95% electric tr

Not nearly enough is made of the incredibly impressive feat Indian Railways has made to electrify almost 100% of its 135,000km of track, while also growing renewable sourcing. Huge:

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...

Image shows NZ unemployment climbing relative to other countries and groups of countries.

OECD comparison of changes in unemployment relative to 2019 average. Second image shows all oecd countries. I remain baffled by the media not asking the obvious questions here: 'How have we fked up so badly? Who is accountable?'

‘Not sound economics’: 20 economists slam government’s economic strategy The signatories – including former Productivity Commission chair Ganesh Nana and economist Susan St John – say the Government’s fiscal approach has worsened the recession, weakened public services, an...

The data in this article is absolutely damning. In the face of this, Nicola Willis’ response is idiotic.

It’s a long article. If you don’t have time for all the words, the graphs tell the story.

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Current affairs: why no-one is fixing the energy market rort draining Kiwis OPINION: Successive governments promised competition would deliver cheaper power, groceries and banking. Instead, New Zealand has ended up with cosy oligopolies that gouge consumers.

'After decades of market-first thinking, ministers still default to the belief that competition will fix it even when the evidence shows it won’t.'

archive.ph/iebQT

Walking the talk: Signed deed cements Waitākere Ranges partnership The new agreement between Te Kawerau ā Maki, Auckland Council and the Crown cements co-management of the heritage area.

💚 Walking the talk: Signed deed cements Waitākere Ranges partnership www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Buried in various council papers, if elected I will get this work dug out and revived.

Decoupled: how Spain cut the link between gas and power prices using renewables | Ember Spain has some of the lowest wholesale electricity prices in Europe, largely owing to the country’s strong solar and wind growth which reduced the influence of expensive coal and gas power on the elec...

Spain's wholesale electricity prices were 32% lower than the European average in the first half of 2025 -- thanks to wind and solar reducing the influence of costly fossil fuels on prices. ember-energy.org/latest-insig...

Nice reporting. That sure is an intense mugshot!

Fair. However bus volumes in the city centre will quickly become a constraint. I do think the reverse can be true too, eg the NW busway programme has certainly got more urgency with the interim service blowing through all projections.

From a VKT reduction PP.

A plan has emerged for this empty centre in downtown Auckland An Auckland Council candidate has backed a plan to move the Auckland Central Library to the Sky World centre.

One council candidate’s plan for this empty centre in downtown Auckland
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Here's a plan to complete* Auckland's Rapid Transit Network plan well before 2030.
* = with interim 'BRT Lite' services on future routes while permanent rapid transit plans and funding is sorted.

Generous and dignified social housing Jon Rennie visits Community Lane, Architectus’ recently completed development for Kāinga Ora in Auckland’s Avondale.

Density done well in Auckland.

architecturenow.co.nz/articles/gen...

Auckland Council sides with community groups against Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray helipad Although Auckland Council is the official defendant in the helipad case, it’s standing shoulder to shoulder with Quiet Sky to stop Ali Williams’ flights.

Great to see AKL Council on the rational side of this. Private helipads in residential areas is absurd. But of course it never should have got to this. Long-standing councillors have been careless on this issue for decades.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

Didn’t get a voting pack? You can still vote in the local elections There's still time! Don't give up!

How to do a special vote for local elections.

Didn’t get a voting pack? You can still vote in the local elections
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-...

YouTube video by Everything Electric TECH No Energy Bills? The Radical Plan To Make Energy Much Cheaper!

This is leadership in the energy space now:

youtu.be/uoYMRU5O9nE?...

this ⬇️

Government explored ban on people voting outside their electorate The justice minister had said it was “worth exploring” requiring people to be in their electorate to vote, one of the ideas for cutting down on the number of special votes.

Goldsmith “exploring ideas for cutting down (special) votes”

We see you and your imported anti-democratic strategies.
www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Thursday's Chorus: Where's the solar plan? Govt's energy reforms ignored the option of a fast & big solar buildout, which Meridian's Ruakaka battery park shows would help; ANZ & BNZ fire shots to start mortgage war

Here’s my daily newsletter, podcast and email. Why didn’t the Government look at a solar and battery option instead of LNG? It would have been much faster and cheaper and the new Ruakaka battery shows it can soften wholesale price inflation. #nzpol thekaka.substack.com/p/thursdays-...