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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.

Mayor Phil Goff would like imported cars to be removed from wharves by barge the same day they are unloaded. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: If they barge cars will it sink dolphins?

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

COMMENT: Barging cars off wharves will free up roads but will it free the wharves as well?

Britomart station: Would cheaper fares mean more passengers and better value for money for Auckland Transport? Photo / Sarah Ivey

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why aren't Auckland's bus and train fares cheaper?

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

Would lower fares would be a good way to increase bus and train use? It's complicated.

In 1863 the land at Ihumātao was confiscated and later sold to Pākehā farmers. This century, construction and development company Fletchers bought the land. Photos / Peter Meecham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Ardern's historic moment has arrived and it's called Ihumātao

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

Ihumātao, the Oranga Tamariki conflict, climate change: we're at an historic moment.

The future of Queen St: Why isn't Auckland Council trialling dedicated lanes for bikes and scooters? Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why isn't the council trialling more bike lanes?

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

Why does Auckland Council let scooters on footpaths but won't trial bike/scooter lanes?

National Party leader Simon Bridges speaks to the National Party conference in Christchurch last weekend about a new cancer plan. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The trouble with National's cancer plan

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

COMMENT: National has announced a funding plan for cancer treatment. But it has problems.

The Empire State Building at the bottom of a street in the New York borough of Queens. Photo / Simon Wilson

TRAVEL

Simon Wilson: Two weeks in Trump's America

27 Jul, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

You can't learn about a country inside out in two weeks, but you do see some things.

How to transform a city: Puppy, by Jeff Koons, in front of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Phil Goff's wake-up call - 5 ways to make city better

26 Jul, 2019 7:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Five ways Phil Goff could turn himself into a better candidate for mayor.

Chelsea Naepi, left, and Milika Swann at the Ihumatao protest. Photo / Simon Wilson

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: A beautiful, sad day at Ihumātao

25 Jul, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

At the Ihumātao protest site, they're feeling sad but very determined.

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

24 Jul, 2019 12:56pm
12 minutes to read

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

National leader Simon Bridges (right) with his new best friend, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why National is our biggest climate change threat

19 Jul, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Comment: I believe National's plan to make climate change an election issue will hurt NZ.

SPORT

Simon Wilson: We are Kane, the kid with something wonderful inside him

15 Jul, 2019 6:50am
9 minutes to read

The Black Caps came so close - and so did we.

Stuck in traffic ... commuters on the daily grind. Photo / Alex Burton

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 25 questions for Auckland Transport

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

The questions you always wanted to ask Auckland Transport, if they didn't make you angry.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: A tale of golf, car parks and institutional racism

12 Jul, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Auckland Council approves plans for Takapuna town square and changing Chamberlain Park.

Pt Chevalier residents at a community meeting on a cold night in winter. Photo / Simon Wilson

NEW ZEALAND

Neighbourhood at war: Inside the row engulfing Pt Chev

6 Jul, 2019 11:00am
6 minutes to read

Auckland Transport and Housing NZ display contrasting approach to communities.

Until they learn there's a difference they're supposed to conform to, boys and girls don't display an innate preference for blue or pink, or toy trucks and dolls.

LIFESTYLE

If girls can do anything, why do boys rule the world?

6 Jul, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

Girls outperform boys on almost every measure but men still climb higher. What's going on?

John Tamihere, candidate for Auckland mayor: the best of left and right, or a befuddlement of ideas? Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: The good - and the bad - of John Tamihere

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

Comment: John Tamihere could be a powerful force for good in this city.

New development proposed for the bottom of Grafton Gully. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Why are we on such a slow road to change?

3 Jul, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Auckland's new City Centre Masterplan is far more timid than it needs to be.

Proposed plaza at the intersection of Queen St and Shortland St, with light rail passing by. Part of the council's new draft City Centre Masterplan. Image / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Is this the future for Queen Street?

2 Jul, 2019 4:15pm
5 minutes to read

Plans revealed for reducing cars in Queen Street in downtown Auckland.

Auckland mayor Phil Goff has welcomed the big-box retailer Costco to Auckland, and declared a climate emergency. Are these two events, by any chance, related? Illustration / Rod Emmerson

NEW ZEALAND

Costco vs the climate emergency: planning the future of Auckland

29 Jun, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Auckland Council has declared a climate emergency and welcomed Costco. Is that a problem?

Part of the withdrawn proposal by Auckland Transport for traffic calming on Tamaki Drive in St Heliers. Image / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 8 thoughts on the convenience of cars

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

Cars are convenient, we all know it. They're also inconvenient, so why do we forget that?

NEW ZEALAND

Bridge delay for America's Cup Village confirmed

27 Jun, 2019 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Decision to push pause a result of higher than anticipated costs, Panuku says.

Scene of a fatal crash on Bairds Road, Otara. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Traffic trauma: Revealed - Auckland's most dangerous roads

27 Jun, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

Rates of death and serious injury on Auckland roads have fallen but are still very high.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: My advice to AT about St Heliers? Don't waste another cent on it

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

Comment: Unpopular street plans have been discarded but locals still aren't happy.

NEW ZEALAND

Showcase projects likely to miss America's Cup

20 Jun, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Three Auckland glamour projects are unlikely to be ready in time for the America's Cup.

SPORT

The Monday Blues: My final advice after a season watching from the sidelines

17 Jun, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Watching the Blues isn't easy, but here's a tip for a great game: Good potatoes.

Civic Lane has big plans for the area which include building a new residential block (left) and turning the Civic Administration Building into apartments.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: How that council heritage building deal really went down

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

Exclusive: Why Auckland Council sold a major heritage building for just $3 million.

Auckland Council has declared a climate emergency. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

It's official: Auckland has a climate emergency

11 Jun, 2019 6:50pm
3 minutes to read

Auckland Council votes unanimously to declare climate emergency, budget rethink to follow.

SPORT

The Monday Blues: The Blues R Us and that ain't good

10 Jun, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

We can't go on like this: some radical proposals for fixing the problems at the Blues.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 6 myths about road safety

8 Jun, 2019 5:00am
10 minutes to read

COMMENT: We need to take proposals to lower road speeds much more seriously.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Goff v Tamihere, the first poll numbers

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

First poll results for Auckland mayoral race show big gap between the leading candidates.

Standing in the rain. Blues head coach Leon MacDonald's dreams of the playoffs were doused by the Bulls. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

The Monday Blues: The Blues and their damnable defining moments

3 Jun, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Blues had so many defining moments on Friday, but they didn't help in the end.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson during his visit to PrintLink in Petone to view copies of the Wellbeing Budget. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Grant Robertson and the Holy Grail

1 Jun, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

COMMENT:The underlying idea of Wellbeing Budget is Holy Grail of politics. Did it deliver?

Mark Thomas is standing again for Auckland Council again. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Never doubt Mark Thomas: Perennial candidate throws hat in ring again

31 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Mark Thomas, the man who always comes back, is standing again for Auckland Council.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: It's not climate change, it's a climate crisis

31 May, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

NZ is not a world-leader on the climate crisis and it's time we took it more seriously.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters will be in Whangarei on Friday night for what's being billed as a major new rail announcement. Photo / Alan Gibson

NEW ZEALAND

'Rail is back on track': Winston Peters to front big new funding announcement for KiwiRail

30 May, 2019 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

The Budget has moved rail back to a more central role in the economy.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: 10 tests for the Wellbeing Budget

30 May, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

The litmus test: how to tell if the Government is serious about its "Wellbeing Budget".

'Nowhere more stuffed full of art and art history': Klim's Ondine silver fish on the Danube. Photo / Getty Images

TRAVEL

Cruising the wake of the Habsburg Empire

28 May, 2019 3:34pm
9 minutes to read

Out of Austria into the flat plains of Hungary, to the imperial bolt-hole in Godollo.

Ma'a Nonu of the Blues looks on. Photo / Getty

SPORT

Blues still can't get a spoonful of the gravy

27 May, 2019 8:00am
6 minutes to read

In which Simon Wilson ruined his dinner for the Blues and it wasn't really worth it.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw. Photo / NZ Herald

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Jacinda Ardern, her friends and her enemies

25 May, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

Ahead of this week's Wellbeing Budget, Simon Wilson looks at the strategy and its critics.

Apartment development by rethinking.space, near Mt Wellington: 46 units and no private car parks. Photo / supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Is KiwiBuild really as dismal as the critics say?

24 May, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The critics wail but KiwiBuild is doing some good things, and there's more to come.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Auckland Council's new budget is a marvel. Or is it?

23 May, 2019 5:00am
10 minutes to read

What did councillors say about their new budget and why? And how did they do it?

From September, children under 16 will ride free on weekends, on buses, trains and some ferries. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Council approves free kids' public transport at weekends

22 May, 2019 7:45pm
2 minutes to read

Auckland Council approves new spending without cutting costs or raising rates.

SPORT

Blues v Chiefs: The bumbling and the beautiful

20 May, 2019 11:00am
6 minutes to read

The Blues beat the Chiefs in a season-defining game over the weekend.

Auckland Mayoral candidate John Tamihere. Photograph / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Tamihere sabotages his own idea

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

John Tamihere is making big promises, but big isn't always the same as good.

NEW ZEALAND

Free buses and trains for kids on weekends, says Goff

13 May, 2019 2:59pm
4 minutes to read

Goff promises free bus and train travel for kids on weekends and integrated ferry pricing.

SPORT

The boblefotball was better than the Blues

13 May, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why don't the Blues know how to win? Another bad night at dreary old Eden Park.

James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change, and co-leader of the Greens Party. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Live Q&A: Simon Wilson on who's pulling the strings in the coalition Govt

10 May, 2019 12:01pm
Quick Read

Join senior writer Simon Wilson to discuss the Zero Carbon Bill and cannabis referendum.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw discusses the Zero Carbon Bill with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looking on. Photo / Mark Tantrum

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: High stakes and the Greens' game

10 May, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The Greens have had a big week but did Labour stop them achieving all they wanted?