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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?

SPORT

The Monday Blues: Bad rugby but a good mullet! The Blues in Canberra

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

COMMENT: The Blues play ugly rugby and lose - hang on, what's to like about that?

The council's extra $500 million will help pay for the grey C3 section. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: How Auckland Council found $500m without cutting costs

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

How did Auckland Council find an extra half a billion for the CRL without cutting costs?

Eight members of the same family were killed and another critically injured in a head-on crash near Ohakuri Rd, Atiamuri, Taupō, last weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Enough with the road safety platitudes

2 May, 2019 12:25pm
8 minutes to read

Calls to reduce the "at risk" and speed road-safety campaigns are dangerously misguided.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Mischief and mayhem on Auckland's waterfront

1 May, 2019 9:08am
7 minutes to read

Why did Ports of Auckland boss claim he was being kept in the dark on transport planning?

SPORT

The Monday Blues: Song night for the Blues in the Tron

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

The Blues went to Hamilton and it was a hell of a good night even if they didn't quite win

Te Papa North museum proposed for the Auckland Waterfront. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Stadium or museum for the Auckland waterfront - or both?

14 Apr, 2019 5:00am
14 minutes to read

A new stadium for the waterfront? What about a museum? Can we have both?

NEW ZEALAND

A field of dreams: The future of Eden Park

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

Eden Park has a new plan to develop its potential as a concert venue.

Annette Dance thought she was safe on a cycleway but a clash with another cyclist left her with a broken neck. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Bikes need to slow down too

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

Auckland's bike lanes have got busy and that means they've also got dangerous.

Ma'a Nonu and Blues team-mates celebrate his try during the round 8 Super Rugby match between the Blues and Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Monday Blues: Nonu adds a dash of sparkle

7 Apr, 2019 6:37pm
6 minutes to read

The Blues won again this weekend, led by a brilliant game from the old guy, Ma'a Nonu.

Bus economics: what is the case for fare caps, or even free travel? Photo / file.

NEW ZEALAND

The case for lower fares

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

Cheaper public transport fares? The case for no is good but the case for yes is better.

Eden Park has been heavily promoting the planned exhibition focusing on the life of Nelson Mandela. Photo / File

SPORT

Mandela and the Stormers at Eden Park

1 Apr, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Is Eden Park, once a pro-apartheid fortress, the place for Mandela exhibition?

NEW ZEALAND

Remembering the Christchurch terror: Borne on wings of hope

29 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Simon Wilson reflects on what Christchurch tragedy means for NZ and where we go from here.

SPORT

Monday Blues: Another win and the sound of 'happiness moaning'

25 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Friday night and finally all was right at Eden Park.

Mourners arrive for the burial service of a victim of the mosque shootings at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch. Photo / AP

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Titanic and the people of defiance and tolerance

22 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

COMMENT: Managing the good and bad in all of us: life after the horror of Christchurch.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland Council approves $63m bailout for Eden Park

19 Mar, 2019 6:55pm
7 minutes to read

Auckland Council has bailed out Eden Park with a grant and loans totalling $63 million.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hugs a mosque-goer at the Kilbirnie Mosque in Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Who are we now? We are the people of horror, of heart, of hope

18 Mar, 2019 10:18am
6 minutes to read

Who are we now? Simon Wilson on the Christchurch mosque shootings.

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Trump v Clinton in Auckland mayoralty battle

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

Simon Wilson: In the fight to run Auckland, we deserve better than a rerun of US politics.

Sonny Bill Williams (left) and ref Mike Fraser excelled. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

The Blues: Finally, that win we needed! Now, can we please cut the cheating?

11 Mar, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Blues won, the team that cheated more lost. Something to learn from that.

A tunnel could ease pressure on full-to-capacity Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NEW ZEALAND

Looming crisis: Auckland Harbour Bridge at capacity in 11 years

9 Mar, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

A new report says the next harbour crossing could be rail-only, and we're late to plan it.

John Tamihere claimed 700km of Auckland roads may be subject to a 30km/h limit but the true figure is 72km.

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland speed limits: Now it's JT vs AT

8 Mar, 2019 2:09pm
4 minutes to read

Speed limit claims prompt AT boss to take rare step of writing to a mayoral candidate.

Hofesh Shechter makes his Auckland debut with apocalyptic dance piece Grand Finale. Photo / Rahi Rezvani

NEW ZEALAND

See what you normally wouldn't: Simon Wilson's top 5 arts festival picks

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

Comment: How to get the best from the Auckland Arts Festival, with 5 top picks.

Mike Tamoaieta, who tragically died last week. Photo / Getty Images

SPORT

Blues need to dance like Mike is watching

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

COMMENT: Three weeks in, this fan's decided it's time to advise the coach.

What's it like to live for a year with cancer? Photo / Doug Sherring

LIFESTYLE

Into the blue: Simon Wilson's cancer diary, one year on

2 Mar, 2019 5:00am
8 minutes to read

It's been a year since Simon Wilson had radical surgery for prostate cancer. So now what?

Whatever the cruise industry likes to say, it's not credible its big ships will stop coming to Auckland. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Who will save Queens Wharf now?

1 Mar, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Queens Wharf is fast losing its potential as a people's wharf - but why is this happening?

Blues lock Patrick Tuipulotu on the break against the Highlanders. Photo / File

SPORT

The deal with kids' rep rugby

25 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: The Blues lost again and North Harbour says no more rep rugby. Is that smart?

Jordan Peterson is enormously well read and brilliant at weaving what he knows into the stories he tell. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Jordan Peterson: The missionary man

23 Feb, 2019 5:00am
15 minutes to read

Jordan Peterson is the preacher you have when you don't have a preacher.

Bikes and walkers don't always mix on Auckland's shared cycleways. Photo / file

NEW ZEALAND

Who's responsible for that cyclists vs schoolkids dispute?

22 Feb, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

What's Auckland Transport doing about cyclists vs schoolkids on the northwest shared path?

NEW ZEALAND

Jordan Peterson and the suffering of men

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

Can you separate Jordan Peterson's self-help advice from his political views? Should you?

NEW ZEALAND

Speaking clearly with Jordan Peterson

21 Feb, 2019 10:04am
3 minutes to read

Social media has responded vigorously to Jordan Peterson's visit. No surprises there.

Canadian psychologist and right-wing commentator Jordan Peterson delivers a lecture at the Great Hall in the Auckland Town Hall. Photo / Nick Reed

NEW ZEALAND

You've got male: Simon Wilson meets Jordan Peterson

19 Feb, 2019 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

An interview with controversial celeb psychologist Jordan Peterson.

SPORT

Simon Wilson: Blues are back, baby, and I'm hopeful

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

COMMENT: The return of the hopeful to Eden Park, for game 1 of the Blues' season.

Kaikohe is at the wrong end of almost all social statistics. Photo / David Fisher.

NEW ZEALAND

The Sallies have spoken: Welfare reform is urgent

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

The Salvation Army has told us we're doing welfare wrong. How are we going to fix that?

Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki leads a sermon on the lower marae on Waitangi Day. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Brian Tamaki's 'good macho' sermon at Waitangi

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

Why did Brian Tamaki go to Waitangi and what did he say in his sermon on Te Tii Marae?

Heeni Hoterene (right) interrupts as Don Brash speaks to media after his speech. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Main parties walk the Waitangi line

6 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Simon Wilson is on the spot as big names arrive for nation's day of celebration.

The pōwhiri for dignitaries at the upper marae in Waitangi got underway yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

When the kōtuku appears: Waitangi unity on show

6 Feb, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Message to Jacinda: No pressure but others before you have got it wrong.

Sir Hekenukumai Busby, now 86, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern share a joke after his investiture at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds yesterday. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Star turn for celestial navigator

5 Feb, 2019 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The great ocean-going boat builder and navigator Hekenukumai Busby is knighted at Waitangi

James Parsons leads the Blues on to the field at Lindvart Park, flanked by members of Te Tira Parāoa. Photo / Peter de Graaf

SPORT

Monday Blues: Kaikohe got the Blues and it was sweet

4 Feb, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

The Blues' season has begun, and fanboy Simon Wilson will follow the teams ups and downs.

National leader Simon Bridges, flanked by Judith Collins. Photo. Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Bridges the Merkel, Collins the Trump?

2 Feb, 2019 5:00am
13 minutes to read

COMMENT: On the eve of Waitangi, will Simon Bridges be the leader we need?

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cooks breakfast during Waitangi celebrations last year. Photo / Dean Purcell

Waitangi Diary 1: Hot sun, mild talk

1 Feb, 2019 3:26pm
5 minutes to read

The PM sat down with iwi leaders at Waitangi yesterday. But are they making progress?

Act Party leader David Seymour is widely liked but he can't lift the party vote. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

What's that proposed blue-green party about?

1 Feb, 2019 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Comment: What's that proposed new blue-green party really for?

Campaign photos: John Tamihere and running mate Christine Fletcher with the statue of former Auckland mayor Sir Dove-Myer Robinson. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Let loose the dogs of war: John Tamihere is standing for Auckland mayor

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

Building more social housing is at the heart of John Tamihere's mayoral campaign.

All smiles: Housing Minister Phil Twyford and new KiwiBuild home owners Derryn Jayne and Fletcher Ross with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last October. File photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Wilson: Housing must be cheap, fast and good

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

Comment: Kiwibuild is a mess but we still need housing that's cheap, fast and good.

An artist's impression of the Hundertwasser Art Gallery in the Whangarei Town Basin. Illustration / Steve Sharp

NEW ZEALAND

Whangārei's big chance: Hundertwasser Art Centre

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

Will Whangārei's Hundertwasser Art Centre be sabotaged by council indifference?

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.