Simon Waters
News Director - Digital
Simon Waters is News Director - Digital at the Whanganui Chronicle
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Simon’s latest content
Editorial: Time for council to call it what it is - a climate emergency
WE SAY: The council must be compelled to consider climate change in its decisions.
NZ should offer miracle Moscow treatment
Briar William's miracle Moscow treatment should be available here.
When will artificial intelligence really change our lives?
Talking to our phones is one thing, but when will AI really change our lives?
2019 many people's annus horribilis; here's to a better 2020
If 2019 was miserable for you, much points to 2020 being a far better year.
July 2019: The month we lost the Thain's building
The headlines that shaped July 2019
Whanganui Year in Review, March 2019: March remembered for horrific mosque shootings
March will go down in infamy as the month of the horrific Christchurch mosque shootings.
Whanganui Year in Review, May 2019: Call for drug testing after crash kills seven
A horror crash, homelessness, pokie spending and a rates hike highlighted May 2019.
Whanganui Year in Review, April 2019: A world champ, a budgie ban and a retired principal
Our top stories from April 2019.
Mum of three an inspiration to those looking to upskill
A 33-year old mother of three has is an inspiration to those seeking to upskill.
Listen: The Whanganui Chronicle Podcast for November 18
Listen to the 21st episode of the Whanganui Chronicle podcast
Should we sell our water?
Is Whanganui wise to sell its water, or is it a resource we should be exploiting?
Editorial: Climate action pivotal to how our leaders will act
Much is riding on a climate change rally in Whanganui this Friday.
Listen: The Whanganui Chronicle Podcast for May 13
The Chronicle weekly podcast discussing the news of the week
Editorial: Three sips for our heroes on Anzac Day
As yet another Anzac Day dawns I will no doubt reflect on dad's time away from home.
Listen: The Whanganui Chronicle Podcast for April 23
A weekly news wrap, look ahead and insight into the Chronicle newsroom
Listen: The Chronicle Podcast for April 15
The latest instalment of The Whanganui Chronicle Podcast
NZ Comedian Rhian Wood-Hill hits Whanganui on 500 mile journey for Lifeline
Comedian's reason for walking for Lifeline
Listen: The Chronicle Podcast for April 8
A brief weekly news wrap and insight into the Chronicle newsroom
Listen: The Chronicle Podcast
A weekly news wrap and insight into the Chronicle newsroom
Fourteen-year-old found dead in Whanganui, police launch homicide investigation
A 59-year-old woman is currently in police custody.
Editorial: The climate must change
Clearly some people are having trouble understanding this: Climate change is real.
Driver fatigue possible factor in near tragic car crash near Whanganui
Single car involved in crash
Editorial: Why shouldn't you pay tax, the rest of us do?
Editorial by Simon Waters
Editorial - Whanganui, we're better than this
The world needs its leaders and role models. Our community needs its voices of reason.
Woman rescued from cliffs at Kai Iwi Beach, Whanganui
Emergency services responding to reports of swimmers in trouble
Editorial: No more ferry tales
A proposed inter-island ferry service from Port Castlecliff appears to be floundering.
Editorial: The best and worst of us
Christmas and Boxing days - stark contrasts in consecutive days.
Community Christmas dinner beats sitting home alone - for volunteers as well as guests
City Mission served up its annual community Christmas dinner.
Burger debate gets social media fired up
Online debate over a humble burger became one of the year's most-read stories.
Editorial: White Ribbon raises taboo subjects
White Ribbon's Rob McCann calls for more open discussion about taboo subjects.
Editorial: Armistice Day commemorates 100 years since World War One and why that's important
Perhaps one day Humans will evolve beyond violent conflict ...
Editorial: The grinch who wants to steal Guy Fawkes - sort of
It's time we tackled the fireworks issue.
Our view: Are you ready for when the big one hits?
Tuesday's earthquake raises the question - are you prepared for the big one?
Editorial: Bring back the rubbish trucks
Our dump fees are outrageously high ... so what's the solution?
Editorial: You ate the cake ...
Some people no longer qualify for a rates rebate ... well, they ate the cake...
Editorial: Why knob fiddling and driving is a bad idea
Government's about to get tough on texting while driving - this tough?
Nothing to fear, say police, in wake of fatal gang shooting in Whanganui
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a fatal gang shooting
Editorial: Arise aunty Tariana
Tariana Turia's investiture was a mark of respect for a courageous campaigner
Council chief 'court action achieved nothing'
How much does a blown fuse cost - ten dollars, maybe fifty? How about $100,000 plus.
Chester Borrows under fire for his 'soft' stance on criminals
Chester Borrows, has come under fire from the Sensible Sentencing Trust
Level the playing field for dedicated taxi service
Taxis operate in a highly regulated industry - but much of the competition does not.
Editorial: Inroads into Japan good for business
Is Whanganui's sister-city relationships good for business?
Opinion: Population figures important
Short of everyone assembling to be counted, we may be stuck with not knowing for sure.
Editorial - Stamp out the cheating and I'll watch
Cheating is ruining the best World Cup in living memory.
Editorial: When freedom to take a photo over-steps the bounds
When taking photos in public places enters the grey zone.
Editorial: Kiwi dream of home ownership a nightmare for some in Whanganui
Whanganui's housing is bouyant, so why are so many calling it a crisis?
Editorial: Kerbside recycling a cost-neutral no-brainer for Whanganui
Whanganui's council will survey ratepayers on the issue of kerbside recycling. About time.
Editorial: Star trekking across the universe...
Technology has evolved to something almost as good as a holodeck.
Editorial: Sheep singer questions our obsession with meat
A protester who sings to sheep before slaughter questions our meat-eating ways.
Editorial: Google's artificially intelligent wow moment
Google has just demonstrated an AI that can make phone calls.
Editorial: When your bum is left hanging out
Being rear-ended is no fun. And some city intersections can leave you vulnerable.
Editorial: Rating your social credit score
Imagine if the government gave us all a citizen score - it could be happening, in China.
Editorial: Have we turned off the taps too soon?
Is it too soon to be closing access to NZ's oil and gas reserves?
Beware, the robots are coming!
Job cuts in banking and at IRD raise the spectre of a second Industrial Revolution at hand
Editorial: Swing vote a win for common sense
A decision by council to re-instate a riverside swing is a win for common sense.
Coroner finds man stepped into path of oncoming truck
Man killed by truck has mistimed approach to hitch a lift, says coroner.
Editorial: Fallen Hells Angel earned much respect
Hundreds expected to funeral of Hells Angel former president.
Brave and Brilliant - the legacy of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking: Born: 8 January 1942, Died: 14 March 2018 - brave and brilliant.
Editorial: What goes up must fall down
An out-of-control Chinese satellite carrying toxic chemicals is plummeting towards Earth
Editorial: Bridge repair progress no express train
Aramoho Rail Bridge repairs and maintenance must be a priority before it's too late
Editorial: Possible demise of an iconic American brand
Gibson guitars - iconic instruments - could be in trouble.
Editorial: Cafe culture worth embracing
Whanganui's cafe culture is second to none. But it wasn't always this way.
Editorial: Is Rocket Lab hero or villain?
Rocket Lab has done NZ proud, but some are questioning the wisdom of its Humanity Star.
Editorial: Bad cliff accident at Vinegar Hill
A young mans fights for his life, we want to ask why?
Editorial: Time to dob-in the boy racers
Boy racers are making themselves unpopular in Whanganui.
Tenth car into fence last straw for resident
Ten cars have crashed through Sandra Watson's fence. What's being done about it?
Editorial: What a weekend!
As a showcase Vintage Weekend has once again done Whanganui proud.
Record growth proves region is a hot spot
Whanganui's population rose by 700 people last year
Editorial: Who says Kiwis can't fly?
Rocket Lab is about to launch NZ into the space business.
Editorial: Bulldog ban the thin end of a wedge
Is banning the sale of Bulldogs the beginning of a ban on the breed?
Editorial: Fix technology or go back to snail mail
NCEA exam results are out ... but NZQA isn't saying when
Editorial: Our inner hoon no longer a right of passage
40 and caught doing donuts ... why we need to grow up behind the wheel
Editorial: More coffee please
Whanganui has a vibrant cafe culture. But there's one obvious one missing.
Editorial: Phone scams, end of the landline?
Are scams and marketing calls spelling the end of the humble landline?
Editorial: Vege-growing mum offers big inspiration
It's one of our top stories - and it's only January!