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A mega-yacht sails into Auckland. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Unruly tourists in the land of optimism

18 Jan, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Welcome to 2019, the year that's going to be just full of it.

LIFESTYLE

The myth about chefs and Michelin stars

12 Jan, 2019 12:59pm
10 minutes to read

Why do restaurants keep telling us their chefs have worked in a place with Michelin stars?

Wynyard Quarter, aka the Tank Farm, could be the site of our greatest triumph.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why Auckland needs a waterfront museum

12 Jan, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Auckland needs a museum of the sea - and here's why.

Chloe Swarbrick showed how a newcomer can make a major impression in local body politics. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Do you offer Auckland voters a better option?

11 Jan, 2019 6:00am
5 minutes to read

Simon Wilson looks at ways to make Auckland a better city in which to live.

Simon Wilson looks at ways we can make Auckland a better city to live in.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Let's shake up building industry and start over

9 Jan, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Eight-point plan to get better housing by disrupting the construction industry.

Auckland Transport, the Government and Ports of Auckland need to wrap their heads around the idea that ferries are deserving of support in the same way as buses and trains. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson's 6 things to fix in Auckland: A dream of fabulous ferries

8 Jan, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Imagine how good the ferry services could be in Auckland.

For tomorrow's bright ideas, we shouldn't be afraid to borrow the best from our audacious ancestors.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: In the future, we'll live in the past

7 Jan, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

A city of the 21st century has more of the past than you might think.

Auckland's waterfront is being transformed, all the way from the east end of the Britomart precinct to Wynyard Point, way to the west.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland a city of dreams - if we dare

2 Jan, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

This summer we look back at the big stories of last year. This is from November.

Founder of Metro magazine, and its pioneering editor, Warwick Roger. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson on Warwick Roger: A storyteller's devotion to good journalism

30 Dec, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

This summer we look back at the big stories of the year. This is from August.

Simon Wilson and Don Brash. Photos / Doug Sherring, Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The free speech debate with Don Brash

27 Dec, 2018 5:00am
16 minutes to read

This summer we look back at the big stories of the year. This is from August.

Just in case you haven't been into town these last few Christmases, Santa no longer has a beckoning finger and a bulging eye that seems to follow you around. He's just Santa now. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Forwards and backwards with Auckland Transport

21 Dec, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

At year's end, Auckland's still having fun and putting up with foolishness.

Auckland Transport wants to reduce the speed limit in the central city from 50km/h to 30km/h. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The fast and furious vent on speed limits

14 Dec, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Lower speed limits will be good for drivers, and great for everyone else in Auckland.

Barbara Adler with her son Samuele, 7, who are campaigning to have a footpath built to run along Candia Rd in Swanson. Photo / Dean Purcell.

NEW ZEALAND

Slower speeds tipped by August for Auckland

12 Dec, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Auckland will have lower speed limits in the central city and many other places by August.

Climate change is hard to combat, but easier if we work for good outcomes. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Fixing climate change, one street plan at a time

7 Dec, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Climate change is hard to combat, but easier if we work for good outcomes.

Hallelujah, we're going to have some trials to work out how to remove unnecessary cars from the inner city. Photo/supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 25 trials for a car-free central city

30 Nov, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

25 trials for a car-free central city.

HomeGround will replace the old City Mission building in Hobson St. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

$5m council grant proposed for City Mission

29 Nov, 2018 2:30pm
5 minutes to read

Mayor wants to increase City Mission funding but hold rates and debt to earlier promises.

A sweeping view of the Port of Auckland. Photo / supplied.

NEW ZEALAND

'We're right here!' Council anxious about Government plans for port

28 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Council worried govt has an agenda for the ports not based on good research and analysis.

Artist impression of light rail on Queen St. Trials for the

NEW ZEALAND

'Open streets': Council to trial Queen St as car-free zone

27 Nov, 2018 3:23pm
5 minutes to read

Council has voted to start trialling car-free streets in central Auckland next year.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland a city of dreams - if we dare

24 Nov, 2018 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Could transforming the central city be done better if officials shed all fear?

Views of Queen Street in Auckland City. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

No cars on Queen St: the new plan for the central city

23 Nov, 2018 11:00am
6 minutes to read

New plan for central Auckland: car-free and "a place to go to not a place to go through".

The debate over moving speedway from Western Springs had sparks flying in council chambers. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Council gets the wobbles over speedway move

23 Nov, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

When councillors rebelled over speedway plan this week, Mayor Goff lost an important vote.

The view up from the vast hole in the ground where Queen Elizabeth Square used to be. Photo / Greg Bowker Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Tunnel vision: Peek inside Auckland's City Rail Link

17 Nov, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Beneath the city, Auckland's biggest transport project, the CRL, is noisily taking shape.

Te Warena Taua is proud of his negotiations with Fletcher and achieving affordable housing for his people. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

The tragedy of Ihumātao

17 Nov, 2018 5:00am
11 minutes to read

The three-way struggle over land at Ihumātao is a tragedy for everyone.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why do bicycles provoke such a flamethrower of fury?

16 Nov, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Bicycles provoke such hatred, and it blinds people to much bigger changes in the city.

Greg Sayers was seen in Rarotonga by Penny Hulse. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: A councillor took a holiday to the Cook Islands. It was recorded as 'council business'

9 Nov, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

One councillor took a holiday but it was recorded as business. Who else has gone AWOL?

Auckland waterfront stadium proposal to be built on Bledisloe Wharf. Photo / Incredible Images

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Stress testing the waterfront stadium

7 Nov, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: The stadium proposal needs stress testing but is the council prepared to do that?

NEW ZEALAND

Revealed: New image of Auckland's waterfront stadium - and next steps

6 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

A new image of the proposed stadium has been released.

A Lime e-scooter being enjoyed on Auckland's Tamaki Drive yesterday. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Internal memo to councillors: Don't blow a fuse over e-scooters

3 Nov, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The council memo on e-scooters is in and the message is: chill, bro.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has enemies on council on both the left and the right. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson's Phil Goff report card: Two years in the job

3 Nov, 2018 5:00am
19 minutes to read

Phil Goff has done 2 years as mayor so we asked those who know to give him a rating.

The reorganisation is necessary as Auckland Transport's budget is growing and expectations of the organisation are changing, chief executive Shane Ellison says. Photo / Geoff Ambler

NEW ZEALAND

Cycling unit pays price for Auckland Transport dysfunction

2 Nov, 2018 4:24pm
6 minutes to read

Auckland Transport is restructuring but the effect may not match the fancy words.

Artist's impression of the proposed new carpark building. The white building behind is the hotel. Photo / Ports of Auckland

NEW ZEALAND

Why have a stadium when you can build a car park and hotel instead?

2 Nov, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Forget the stadium, Ports of Auckland is building a carpark and hotel on Bledisloe Wharf.

Markings spray-painted on Albert St before it was dug up for the City Rail Link. Photo / Dean Purcell.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why are the Albert St plans so bad?

26 Oct, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Plans for Albert St after the CRL build are "deeply disappointing". How did that happen?

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Don't panic, they're only scooters

25 Oct, 2018 3:05pm
5 minutes to read

Yes there are people riding the new e-scooters dangerously, but that's no reason to panic.

An artist's impression of the proposed sunken waterfront stadium at Bledsiloe Wharf. Photo / supplied.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Designing a stadium fit for Auckland waterfront

20 Oct, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: New stadium proposal has design features that make it a great fit for Auckland.

An artist's impression of the proposed Auckland Waterfront Stadium sunken stadium. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Stadium an inspired proposal - now we need a champion

19 Oct, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

The new waterfront stadium proposal is magnificent but who will be its political champion?

All aboard. Commuters at Onehunga wait to board an electric train. Photo/file.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Airport trams or trains is the wrong question

12 Oct, 2018 9:45am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Debate about trams or trains to the airport misses the point entirely.

Waterview's Te Whitinga bridge follows a curved line linking Mt Roskill/Puketāpapa with Mt Albert/Ōwairaka. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: In praise of a motorway

5 Oct, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

An award-winning design points to the potential of the city. And it's a motorway.

John Tamihere says Te Waipareira could take Panuku to court. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Tamihere's on the warpath but won't run for mayor

28 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

John Tamihere will not stand for mayor, but he sure is on the attack against council.

Early morning commuters at the Albany park and ride carpark on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Park and rides are not the future and here's why

21 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Park and rides are not the solution many people think they are. We have better options.

Jacinda Ardern's plan spells out far-reaching, specific and measurable goals. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why National will adopt Labour's plan

18 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: If National is true to form it will adopt Labour's plan. So how good is the plan?

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The gulf between the generations

14 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Nobody says they're a nimby but we all have it in us: the generational divide in Auckland.

Chelsea Manning spoke about her motivation and the effects of her actions. Photo / Doug Sherring

WORLD

Battle-weary, Chelsea Manning soldiers on

8 Sep, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Chelsea Manning's had a very hard life - but so have the people she speaks up for.

All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams mixing it with the Drury Rugby Club juniors at the club in South Auckland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The National crime crisis

7 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

We have a crime crisis in this country, so why is National making it so hard to address?

The data is clear, a major underlying factor to Auckland's high road death toll is speed, Auckland Transport CEO Shane Ellison has told Auckland Council's Planning Committee. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Great slowdown: Crashes rise in Auckland, speed limits to drop to as low as 30km/h

5 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Speed limits set to fall as Auckland Transport gets serious about reducing road deaths.

On the night of April 10 this year, Auckland lost 40 per cent of its power network in just 15 minutes.

NEW ZEALAND

Storm wiped out 40pc of Auckland power network in mins

4 Sep, 2018 11:54am
4 minutes to read

Auckland's April storm was almost unprecedented - but what do we do now?

NEW ZEALAND

Big Read: Helen Clark and the Apocalypse

31 Aug, 2018 7:42pm
20 minutes to read

Helen Clark talks about missing out at the UN, her career and what she's doing now.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford says the council is too close to the vested interests, like Nimbys. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: Govt set to override Auckland's Unitary Plan so it can build more houses

31 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Housing minister Phil Twyford plans to override the Unitary Plan but the mayor is worried.

Auckland needs an Urban Development Authority, but it's got to be done well. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The need for new housing speed

31 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Auckland needs an Urban Development Authority, but it's got to be done well.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he and President Donald Trump are good friends. Photo / Nigel Farage

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Nigel Farage, Don Brash and friends

25 Aug, 2018 5:00am
9 minutes to read

COMMENT: Farage is a nice man and so is Brash. What does that say about their politics?

The new bus networks are better but they need to fix the bus to Greenlane Hospital. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: How to fix the hospital bus

24 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

The new bus networks are better but they need to fix the bus to Greenlane Hospital.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson on Warwick Roger: A storyteller's devotion to good journalism

21 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: A tribute to Warwick Roger, founding editor of Metro, who died last week.

Simon Bridges faces a big battle in trying to get himself and his party to win the next election. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Back to the future: The challenge facing National

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
11 minutes to read

COMMENT: National's riding high in the polls but there's a lot for them to worry about.

Cornel West (above) and Douglas Murray (below) will go head to head in a potential explosion of arguments. Photo (main) / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The speaker's pulpit is open for business

17 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Public intellectuals are lining up to speak in New Zealand. What's going on?

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The free speech debate with Don Brash

11 Aug, 2018 5:00am
15 minutes to read

COMMENT: Is free speech undermined by political correctness? Here's the argument why not.

Is there a better city beach anywhere in the world than Takapuna on the North Shore? Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The clowns at Takapuna town

10 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: How come Takapuna has such a beautiful beach and such a shabby town centre?

NEW ZEALAND

Hope over rage: Simon Wilson on the challenges facing Jacinda

4 Aug, 2018 5:00am
10 minutes to read

COMMENT: PM's back and she has some big tasks if she wants to lead a long-lasting Govt.

A glimpse of High St from the window of Unity Books. Photo / Sarah Ivey

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Time for pedestrians to take over High St

3 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

High St now has too many pedestrians so when are they going to do something about it?

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, pictured here with National Party leader Simon Bridges during the 82nd National Party Conference, said the MMP system was

NEW ZEALAND

Wilson: National's Old Zealand problem

30 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: National says it's forward looking but try telling that to half the conference.

Rhana Devenport says she will absolutely miss the demographic diversity of Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

What now for the Auckland Art Gallery?

27 Jul, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Auckland Art Gallery has lost its director - will we be able to get another good one?

Artist's impression of Aotea Station upper level.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland's City Rail Link to be bigger but it will cost hundreds more millions

24 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

New projections reveal CRL as planned won't be big enough so they want to fix that now.

Is Auckland ready for a giant monolith of it's own? Pictured is Bastion Point in Orakei.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: What's not to love about our own Eiffel Tower?

21 Jul, 2018 5:00am
13 minutes to read

COMMENT: Are we daring enough to build that giant pou on Bastion Point?

A 57-floor prefabricated building China which was finished in 19 days. Photo / AP.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Prefabs are pretty fabulous

20 Jul, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Prefab housing is key to solving our crisis but it faces some ridiculous barriers.