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NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: This broken country (and the Govt that says it wants to fix it)

11 Jan, 2020 5:00am
15 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why has Govt done so much less than promised? Simon Wilson's election challenge.

A battle between titans Chloe Swarbrick and Nikki Kaye will be a cracker. Photos / Jason Oxenham, Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Is Nikki v Chloe 2020's hottest election contest?

27 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Auckland Central contest could be critical to outcome of the whole 2020 election.

A block of High St has had some car parks removed and the footpath widened as the Access for Everyone (A4E) plan slowly progresses. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The best - and worst - of 2019 in Auckland politics

20 Dec, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

COMMENT: Some good things happened at council this year, and they weren't all advertised.

The Government has decided the Auckland port must close. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Beware small-minded politicians hiding behind fake economic arguments

13 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Knowing cost of a plan is important, but the business case won't tell you that.

National Party leader Simon Bridges, mid-interview with Simon Wilson.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Bridges: His views on the Auckland port and a high-wage economy

12 Dec, 2019 5:00pm
8 minutes to read

National leader Simon Bridges has some plans for the next 10 years.

What will the city be like in 30 years? Image / Phil Welch

NEW ZEALAND

A bold future: What Auckland will look like in 2050

8 Dec, 2019 2:40pm
14 minutes to read

The downtown Auckland deserves.

Ports of Auckland, with a wall of empty containers. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Move the Auckland port? Why the numbers aren't everything

6 Dec, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Why isn't there a magic number to prove or disprove the value of moving the Auckland port?

Northport with the Marsden Point Oil Refinery and the Whangerei Heads. Major expansion will be needed for it to replace the Auckland port. Photo / Tania Whyte

NEW ZEALAND

Port storm: The region and town set to be at the heart of a new goldrush

5 Dec, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

Is Northland ready for a big new port handling containers and cars?

Manukau is shallow and would need constant dredging. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Port in a storm: Where else could the Auckland port go? Here are three options

4 Dec, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

There's no good site for the Auckland port, but there are many bad ones.

Cars lined up on the wharves at Auckland port, with the new car storage building under construction at left. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Port storm: Why are we really parking 250,000 cars a year on Auckland's waterfront?

4 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

How does importing cars to Northland make sense if few people live there?

NEW ZEALAND

Why should Auckland move its port?

3 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

With little agreement on the best plan for the port, it comes down to what you value most.

Containers awaiting removal at the Auckland port. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Port in a storm: Leaked report reveals details of moving Auckland's port and when to do it

2 Dec, 2019 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Move the Auckland port? Part 1 in a series on the biggest issue to face the city in years.

The REM rail system in Montreal, now under construction by the same company that has joined the NZ Super Fund to bid for Auckland's light rail. Image / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Train, tracks and flying high - this could be Auckland

29 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: NZSF's light rail plan has "substantially progressed". Here's what that means.

Auckland port in a storm: how long will it last on this site? Photo / Nick Reed

NEW ZEALAND

Revealed: John Key and Helen Clark join forces to shift the port

24 Nov, 2019 7:00pm
9 minutes to read

In an unprecedented move, two former PMs have joined the campaign to move the port.

Sky Cabs over Auckland: will this ever happen? Image / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Please, let's have faster, more inventive transport planning

22 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

It's time to speed up transport planning, and in some parts of the city that's happening.

Honour the Maunga protesters on Owairaka/Mt Albert, with Anna Radford (centre) and Lisa Prager (far left). Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Anatomy of a dispute: The trees on Ōwairaka/Mt Albert

20 Nov, 2019 7:00pm
15 minutes to read

How did it come to this? How the conflict over the trees on Ōwairaka/Mt Albert unfolded.

Nancy Brunning in a 1999 photo. Brunning become a household name after starring as a young nurse in Shortland Street. Photo / File

ENTERTAINMENT

Simon Wilson on Nancy Brunning: 'We lost a tōtara today'

17 Nov, 2019 7:00pm
3 minutes to read

Acclaimed actor and director Nancy Brunning has died after a long illness.

Mt Albert's Amanda Eason, with her cat Marina and the berm garden that Auckland Transport wants removed. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Planting berms? I say grow for it

15 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why is Auckland Transport so dark on homeowners planting the berm?

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attends a powhiri at Waitākere Hospital, October 2019. Photo / Will Trafford

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland's political power rankings: Who calls the shots?

15 Nov, 2019 5:00am
19 minutes to read

Which Aucklanders have the most political power? Simon Wilson reveals his top 25.

The Christchurch Tribute wall at Victoria university, Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND

Okay, Boomer! Simon Wilson on a new history of protest in New Zealand

9 Nov, 2019 5:00am
10 minutes to read

What does a new history of the "objects" of protest have to tell us about progressive NZ?

Christopher Luxon with MP Judith Collins after winning the Botany National Party candidate selection this week. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: What does Chris Luxon believe and does it matter?

8 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

'My faith gives me my mission', says Chris Luxon. What's that mission, exactly?

Mayor Phil Goff has unveiled changes to Auckland Council's committee structure. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

NEW ZEALAND

Phil Goff's new team to lead Auckland Council

4 Nov, 2019 11:00am
7 minutes to read

Phil Goff's new leadership team has "something for everyone" but does it go far enough?

Sayonara, coach, and thanks for the memories. Steve Hansen bows out. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

Simon Wilson: The mystery and magic of the Rugby World Cup

3 Nov, 2019 7:00pm
7 minutes to read

Mystery and magic: the end of Steve Hansen's All Blacks and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Chamberlain Park golf course in Mt Albert: a new solution is now required. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: A new solution for Chamberlain Park

1 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The local board deciding on Chamberlain Park golf course is tied 4:4. That's a good thing.

It's hard to take, but they must, and so must we. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

Simon Wilson: All Blacks and outrageous arrows of English fortune

28 Oct, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: The ABs have lost but it is not the end of the world and there is much to savour.

John Tamihere brought a new style of politics to the Auckland mayoral election. Why didn't it work? Illustration / Rod Emmerson

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Inside the Trump-lite campaign of John Tamihere

26 Oct, 2019 5:00am
17 minutes to read

COMMENT: John Tamihere took Trumpian route to becoming Auckland mayor. Why didn't it work?

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: the good and not-so-much of the new methane emissions rules

25 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Comment: Always expect more from Government, never rely on it.

Nelson St will have its speed limit reduced to 40 km/h under proposals adopted by Auckland Transport. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Road safety is public health issue

22 Oct, 2019 5:39pm
4 minutes to read

Auckland Transport has approved a plan to lower speed limits on 800km of Auckland roads.

Irish fans sang all the way through the haka. They've got good songs, but they don't beat the haka. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

Simon Wilson: The Irish have the poetry but we have the rugby

21 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The All Blacks strung Ireland on the fence for magpies to peck at, and wow what a game.

Cam Perkins, the council's team leader for the transformation of High St. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: What a real pedestrian-friendly city would look like

19 Oct, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Changes are afoot for pedestrians in Auckland. But will they go far enough?

Councillor Fa'anana Efeso Collins, who represents the Manukau ward. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Shake it up Mayor Goff - here's how

18 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Will Mayor Phil Goff break down barriers and run a more inclusive council this term?

Re-elected Auckland City mayor Phil Goff, with his dog Belle, on his rural Property in Clevedon. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Phil Goff's spring awakening

14 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Phil Goff is happy to have won a mandate to continue, but will he make much progress?

Mayor Phil Goff is all smiles at the Kingslander pub on election day. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: What's Goff going to do now?

12 Oct, 2019 7:00pm
5 minutes to read

Goff has a mandate to push on with his programme. But will he get the help he needs?

Pōhiri in Tūranga/Gisborne at the start of Tuia 250 last weekend. Photo / Paul Rickard

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Is the Tuia 250 commemoration really a new beginning?

11 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Is New Zealand working out its future in Gisborne right now?

All Blacks inside back TJ Perenara produces some magic to touch the ball down and score during their RWC2019 pool match against Namibia at Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

ABs secret weapon revealed and it's not what you think

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

COMMENT: Magic in plain sight against Namibia ... but could it also be the moustaches?

Taxpayers' Union supporters at an Auckland mayoral debate in Greenlane this week. Photo / Simon Wilson

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: An angry night with mayoral candidates and ratepayers

4 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Auckland mayoral hopefuls: an economics and transport lesson with the Taxpayers Union.

All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell skips clear of the attempted tackle by Canada first five-eighths Peter Nelson during their RWC pool match against Canada at the Oita Stadium. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

Simon Wilson: Beach rugby with the Barretts

3 Oct, 2019 7:00pm
5 minutes to read

All Blacks vs Canada: it wasn't thrilling but it was fun. Especially for the Barretts.

The pressures on suburban village centres: even the famous Mt Eden fish shop has closed. Photo / Simon Wilson

NEW ZEALAND

Local elections 2019: The village battles of Albert-Eden

2 Oct, 2019 5:00am
9 minutes to read

Two popular councillors in a ward where controversy bubbles away in every village.

The redeveloped Franklin Rd, Freemans Bay, featuring dedicated cycleways. Photo / Leon Menzies

NEW ZEALAND

Local elections: Council hopefuls waging a quiet war in Waitematā

30 Sep, 2019 5:00am
9 minutes to read

More of the same but done better, or something different? Auckland's Waitematā contest.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge with two decks, as proposed by mayoral candidate John Tamihere. Image / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Is JT's super harbour crossing vision really a bridge too far?

28 Sep, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: John Tamihere got sniggered at for his harbour bridge proposal. Why was that?

Cr Penny Hulse after delivering her valedictory speech at Auckland Council, with a framed photo of herself as a young Waitākere City councillor, with mayor Bob Harvey at right. OPhoto / Simon Wilson

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Angry to the end - the last meeting of Auckland Council

27 Sep, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

High aims and low blows: the Auckland Council has met for the last time this term.

Keeping the environment beautiful is high on the priority list for North Shore voters. Photo / Ted Baghurst

NEW ZEALAND

Local elections: Battle brewing over North Shore's future

25 Sep, 2019 5:00am
9 minutes to read

For such a nice part of the city, the election fighting in North Shore is very intense.

All Blacks left wing George Bridge gets a pat on the back from his teammate Sam Whitelock. Photo / Mark Mitchell

SPORT

Simon Wilson: Are the All Blacks the greatest show on Earth right now?

22 Sep, 2019 6:00pm
4 minutes to read

The All Blacks have reinvented rugby.

Renault and a group of students from the Central Saint Martins art and design college in London teamed up to create the

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the future of cars

21 Sep, 2019 7:00pm
9 minutes to read

The future of cars may be less about the technology than about what we use them for.

The Abbey Road album turns 50 today, September 21.

ENTERTAINMENT

Simon Wilson: Abbey Road is 50 years old and what does that mean?

21 Sep, 2019 5:00am
11 minutes to read

The Beatles' Abbey Road is 50 this week. Wait, what just happened?

WORLD

Simon Wilson: We can fix the climate crisis if we want to

21 Sep, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

A new film offers hope in fighting climate change but we have to get serious about it now.

Karangahape Rd makeover: better for cyclists, pedestrians and shopping. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Good news about Karangahape Rd but what about Queen St?

20 Sep, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The great Karangahape Rd reconstruction project has finally begun but what about Queen St?

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and former Labour Party president, Nigel Haworth, who resigned over the party's handling of sex abuse allegations. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why did Labour get it so wrong?

17 Sep, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Why do organisations like the Labour Party not see what's obvious to everyone?

New Zealand Herald senior writer Simon Wilson. Illustration / Rod Emmerson

LIFESTYLE

Simon Wilson: Cancer screening, testosterone and springtime

14 Sep, 2019 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Nineteen months after surgery for prostate cancer, Simon Wilson confronts the next steps.

Proposed new Quay St plaza, to be finished late 2020. Picture / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Quay St road rage: The street causing most grief to Aucklanders

13 Sep, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

What's causing all that disruption on Quay St and where will it all end?

SPORT

Simon Wilson: Only one team can stop ABs and it's not who you think

9 Sep, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Bring it on! Rugby tragic Simon Wilson looks forward to backing a winning team.

This election isn't about who to vote for. But it is about what we're voting for. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: How to make Auckland fit for 21st century

7 Sep, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

COMMENT: Auckland Council election is about making a city fit for purpose in 21st century.

Once upon a time Auckland had the courage to build the pink pathway. That courage has deserted Auckland Transport today. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why does the Auckland Transport safety plan ignore cyclists?

6 Sep, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Auckland Transport's new road safety plan makes no extra budget allocation for cyclists.

Here's how the Herald's council watchers Bernard Orsman and Simon Wilson rate Auckland councillors standing for re-election.

NEW ZEALAND

How good (or poor) are they? We rate the Auckland councillors

31 Aug, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

We rate every Auckland councillor standing for re-election.

Auckland mayoral candidate John Tamihere: is somebody really going to jail? Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 'Somebody's going to jail': what's John Tamihere's real plan?

30 Aug, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Personal motives, populist tactics and a long-term goal all play a part in this campaign.

Quasi, Ronnie van Hout's sculpture, has got Wellingtonians wringing their hands. Photo / Mark Tantrum

LIFESTYLE

Simon Wilson on THAT hand sculpture

24 Aug, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Wellington has a new public artwork and not everybody is happy, writes Simon Wilson.

Simon Wilson explains how to make sense of the Auckland Council election candidates. Illustration / Rod Emmerson

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: How to make sense of Auckland Council election candidates

23 Aug, 2019 8:55pm
13 minutes to read

COMMENT: Many upstanding people are standing for Council. But which ones have good ideas?

Cisco Patolo, aged 6 (left) and Payton McAlister-Toa, aged 7, who joined the protest hikoi from Ihumātao to Jacinda Ardern's Mt Albert electorate office yesterday. Photo / Khalia Strong

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why hasn't Jacinda Ardern been to Ihumātao?

23 Aug, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Comment: Ihumātao is still Jacinda Ardern's moment, but she's letting it pass her by.

Auckland mayoral candidates Phil Goff, left and John Tamihere in the NZME newsroom for a debate hosted by Heather du Plesis-Allen. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: God give me the strength - Goff v Tamihere

22 Aug, 2019 5:00am
3 minutes to read

What was it like, up close and personal in the Goff v Tamihere mayoral debate?

Fewer cows and better profits? It can be done right now, says former Greens leader Jeanette Fitzsimons. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Farmers can boost profits, cut cows now, activist tells MPs

20 Aug, 2019 11:00am
8 minutes to read

Hard-hitting critique of Zero Carbon Bill calls for more action from farmers and MPs.

Clouds over Auckland. Is council spending out of control? Photo / 123RF

NEW ZEALAND

Is there a crisis? The real story about Auckland's finances, rates

19 Aug, 2019 5:00am
10 minutes to read

It's election time: Are Auckland Council finances out of control like some candidates say?

Councillor Penny Hulse: Declaring a climate emergency and doing nothing about it is like going on a diet and eating chocolate cake. Photo / Getty

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Auckland Council, climate change and the new denialism

16 Aug, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Auckland Council declared a climate emergency but some councillors don't seem to know why.