When images of storm surge waters pouring into New York subways and train tunnels in China with commuters trapped inside railway carriages with flood water up to their necks. It is hard to know what to make of this.
Except to say that this is even worse than the bike bridge.
With predicted sea level rise of over one metre by 2100 and five metres 2300, alongside storm surge events, (if the current portal remains at Victoria Park or even the Britomart Centre), the projected design life of this tunnel will be short, before it will/is flooded as well.
I find it interesting that both, National and Labour are in lock step behind this proposal.
It would be interesting to know what the Green Party's position is.
Do the Green Party support or oppose the government's $15 billion under harbour tunnel?
Can we expect a statement from the Green Party leaders or Green Party spokesperson on transport, either endorsing, or condemning this proposal?
Bonkers.
Blowout! Auckland harbour tunnels will cost $15 billion
Simon Wilson, NZ Herald, 7 Aug 2021
The estimated cost of an Auckland harbour crossing by tunnel, as promoted by Finance Minister Grant Robertson on Tuesday, has ballooned to $15 billion.
This is a 50 per cent increase on the previous estimate, of $10 billion….
Probably should get on with building a new bridge, Add dedicated bus lanes both ways so the busway is as efficient as possible. Pedestrian/Cyclist/Ebike/Scooter lanes under the main deck.
I'm not convinced on a tunnel nor rail as public transport from the shore. I'm more in favor of an electrified bus fleet.
Another bridge is all very well but where to put it?
The present harbour bridge has enough capacity. It's the on ramps and merging traffic that jams the whole motorway system. Another bridge marrying into this system will compound the problems
Isn't it time that the powers realise that the CBD is only a small blip on the Ak landscape and the need for everybody to congregate there is one of the major congestion causes.
Wouldn't it be far more cost effective to offer businesses some real incentive to relocate into Aks many dormitory suburbs, there by negating the need for people to travel to or through the CBD.
Adding to that – we push everyone into the same space… and time.
There's no reason we could not stagger work times to alleviate rush hour woes.
9-5 should be just one of a range of shift options. Companies that can should flex their flexibility.
Work from home is good and well but I note on social media community pages the biggest whingers typically work from home. It may be making them antisocial? An alternative is to have some office days, and some work from home days. These also could run on staggered times.
It's not that hard to think outside the box unless you're a moron – something which many business and council executives seem to take great pride in.
The uptake of public transport is however in dire straits because covid. So while I like the ideal of getting everyone on buses, I completely understand the reticence of many to utilise the services. Plan B is to electrify our fleets.
In the interim, who's enjoying the traffic jams other than oil executives.
Well clearly that plan doesn't work, large numbers of Aucklanders sit stuck in traffic every day. We're talking predominantly white collar workers: Share their cars? – lol jokes!
My neighbourhood's full of pot bellied pigs who, as a rite of passage to their 50's, get themselves a sports car. Share? Give a toss? More lols.
Covid has totally bitch-slapped attempts to get us into public transport, and ride sharing is not taking off either.
Nature separates species in time and space because it works. Huge diversity in a single tree can be found. Partitioning works. Night bugs, dawn bugs, day bugs, dusk bugs… canopy, sub-canopy, ground, below ground…
We can learn from this – or we can claim our superiority over nature once more and jam everyone and everything in the same space and time – cos that's working out great.
All because we make a plan doesn't mean it's a good plan. Seen central city lately? – our town planners are freaking morons.
Does this mean all IT people move to the north, all insurance people to the west and all bank people to the south? Are we starting a mass migration project here?
If people don't move permanently, based on their new work location, there's the possibility of more road chaos: In an ideal world with all business in a central spot (CBD) and all workers of the CBD evenly distributed around that centre means very little interference in the commute. After a split of the single CBD into several smaller CBDs it can, dependent on the worker distribution, lead to longer commutes for a significant number of people (that can't move) and to more "crossings" of workers that have to travel to a remote CBD.
Yes, let us now listen to the howls of outrage from ACT and the Nats about this $5,000 million increase in cost after their howls about a bike/pedestrian bridge costing just 4.6% of the cost of the tunnel.
But of course they love cars so much they will say nothing.
With predicted sea level rise of over one metre by 2100 and five metres 2300, alongside storm surge events, (if the current portal remains at Victoria Park or even the Britomart Centre), the projected design life of this tunnel will be short, before it will/is flooded as well.
Sea-level rise is faster than previously believed and could exceed 1 metre by the end of the century unless global emissions are reduced, according to a survey of more than 100 specialists.
Based on new knowledge of climate sensitivity and polar ice melt, the experts say coastal cities should prepare for an impact that will hit sooner than predicted by the United Nations and could reach as high as 5 metres by 2300.
BTW I was involved in setting out the upgrading of Fanshaw Street and well remember the excavation of the foot path outside the then vodafone building. We hit water after about 50cm which would recede after high tide. (ie that main arterial -which is on reclaimed land – is just over 50cm above high water mark)
Can Jenny or you tell us what the projected design life of this tunnel is and how short it will be when those predicted environmental changes in 2100 and 2300 (and in between) eventuate?
Let’s hear from Macro or Jenny whether they have anything of substance to support Jenny’s claim about the short projected design life of the tunnel. Sounds to me that somebody did these projections and that they were not plucked out of thin air. Maybe this is already accounted for in the design plans and this is part-reason for the high projected cost. So, let’s hear it.
Sorry, I should have made it clear that I was asking about Jenny’s claims about the short(ened) life of the tunnel rather than about the sea level predictions and storm surges. I was surprised about her claims regarding the tunnel as I was not aware of such bold assertions and risk assessments by experts. BTW, I can read links 😉
Yep that is the case – but even so we only have to look at the recent flooding of the NY subway, and the recent similar flooding in China to know that such a tunnel would not be without risk.
Obviously it depends upon where the entrance to the tunnel would be located. As I pointed out above the land around the viaduct basin back to the bottom of Franklin Street and the bottom of Queen Street is actually reclaimed land and little above current High water. The amount of flooding in a freshly dug hole some 100 m from the wharf side had to be seen to be believed. You couldn't pump it out – the contractors had to wait till the tide went out to work. It was basically just loads of rock and rubble.
Recent disruptions to the Tube in London saw locals dealing with the bus system to try to get to work. Suffice it to say there were many disappointed bosses/punters etc waiting for their workers/entertainment to arrive.
As one comic said of the price and service: It's like paying 20 quid for a basic cheeseburger and getting a plate of shit.
There's no real contingencies built into anything. The neo-libs have demanded efficiency and now we see they've actually served us all a big plate of shit. How's the eating?
These folks fixated on BAU are merely whistling in the wind to try keep their spirits up. It's a nonsensical but understandable reaction to realities they're finding too hard to accept. The weather is breaking systems at such a rate we'll run out of funds to fix them.
Major crisis are converging. Countries are burning and crops are failing all over. Even here in 'the best place to spend an apocalypse' we're seeing how the weather doesn't give a toss about such hubris.
Diversification and decentralisation is absolutely called for. The global supply chain is a joke in the face of ever increasing storm severity and frequency – the oceans will become uninsurable – ships as ecological disasters waiting to happen. It's not if, it's when.
Really, we need to hunker down and collectively create resilience in our systems right now! As for business types, they need to sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up.
Me? Tunnels? I only want to eliminate tunnel vision.
Yeah ok, that was as flat as my screen…
What I see is climate change is happening much faster than anticipated. Scientists try hard not to be alarmist but we've been told for several decades we're heading off a cliff and not two fucks was given.
As things now progress at a faster clip, tipping points will kick off other tipping points and the whole shebang will cascade into chaos long before such dates given like 2100 (1 m rise) etc. We've got nothing left in the bank, zero time.
We should be on a war footing right now. Instead – we're "looking forward to November when COP26 world leaders meet to discuss climate"… AGAIN!!! How fucking ridiculous and hopeless and full of shit are these people. I guess every summit they get another massive backhander by oil Inc. so it's all good for them, till they realise they're also fucked.
These billionaire clowns signing up for NZ citizenship so they can hide down here after fucking everything. Disgraceful, inhuman assholes.
Tunnel, bridge, traffic flow… PFFFT. How about stop banks, wetlands, crop diversification, local manufacturing. Assessment of what we can and can't make and fill the gaps to do what we can. Circular economy, local economy. Divest and diverge from the sociopaths right now.
But no, another distraction. Olympics, a new phone, some vacuous celebrity bint talking about another vacuous celebrity clown.
What's the bet half that ship full of covid infected sailors is brimming with Amazon products. For the must haves.
See, I thought Jenny was saying the tunnel was a stupid idea because the entrance might be under water in a hundred years. Not sure what Auckland Transport can do about crop diversification before then…
It's all connected and you know it. Our obsession with getting traffic moving is a ridiculous sideshow in the face of climate change which is now upon us.
We need to be on a war footing, doing all we can to mitigate the worst effects because there is no time left. We can worry about future roads when the future is not in question.
So you be flippant and foolish all you like. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
…..Can Jenny or you tell us what the projected design life of this tunnel is and how short it will be when those predicted environmental changes in 2100 and 2300 (and in between) eventuate?
Hi Incognito, as you are probably aware there is a lot of uncertainty about when the predicted environmental changes brought on by climate change will eventuate.
In answer to your question about when these events may eventuate; recent events here and overseas which caught many experts by surprise, seem to suggest that the modeling of when these events will eventuat may be underestimating the expected time line.
In answer to your other question about the designe life of this tunnel:
As yet, none of the details of this proposed tunnel, including its projected design life, have been released by the government.
However, I would expect that the designers have factored in climate change into their planning.
On good authority I have been advised that there is probably more than even chance, that a storm surge caused by a climate change supercharged cyclone, will see the southern portal to this tunnel, muted to be at Victoria Park, being overtopped within the next 50 years.
Taking these factores into account, I would say that the designers are probably aiming for a design life of 25 years.
Speaking personally, (and you may disagree), but I think that if we are going to spend $15 billion on anything, I would hope it would be on something that will last a bit longer than that.
If the Northern Pathway bike bridge was bonkers, this is completely bonkers.
"A compelling BCA may be difficult to produce. The last time it was done, in November 2020, the BCA was 0.2. That's a return of only 20 cents in value for every dollar spent.
Even the proposed $685 million Northern Pathway bridge has a better BCA: it's 0.4…."
"This is a 50 per cent increase on the previous estimate, of $10 billion…."
Though the government have not said whether this $15 billion tunnel will include a road option, the previous estimate of $10 billion was for the rail and road option.
From this I think we can safely assume, that the government has caved in to political pressure from the powerful roading lobby, and political allies, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the National and Act parties.
In spite of right wing ideological committment to private cars.
One thing Auckland doesn't need is another road way across the Waitemata feeding into the inner city and Northern motorway increasing congestion and pollution.
Just a joke Patricia…..I made a friendly comment and owned up the other day when I wrote "incite" instead of "insight" and somebody humorously picked me up on it.
Meanwhile I agree with your comment below that ships arriving here where half of the crew have Covid are a major Covid risk to NZ. Port and ship workers should be vaccinated already as a priority.
Does anyone out there have info as to what percentage of these workers have been vaccinated?
This was predictable as the third cargo ship in as many weeks. Just like Australia having Covid community transmission and the trans Tasman bubble being suspended for 8 weeks.
That is the issue The transmission by healthy people/asymptomatic people/vaccinated people is why mask wearing in mandatory in many vaccinated countries. Delta is a difficult and dangerous beast.
But if we're still accepting frieght, don't port workers make sure shipboard containers etc are hooked up properly before being hoisted, pilots guide vessels in, and various victuallers do their thing?
There can be mitigations and distancing around most of those activities, but since day ISTR port workers being viewed as frontline staff. With, I believe, fewer breaches than MIQ.
Which could be regarded as another example of precarious workers being "essential yet unappreciated".
And I don't just mean disease leaks, I mean shit like people going to liquor stores, crossover at the check in counter, that dude who popped into the person's room for half an hour or so…
If you're looking for reasons for lack of progress in conservation issues in this government, look no further than this article and the sustained inability of the Minister to act on governance issues with Maori that are of her own making.
Then there's the cycleways into Glen Eden, which I frequently drive beside and have yet to see a single cyclist using. Dedicating part of the roadway for cyclists isn't actually the problem, it's that fukn moron traffic engineers put the worst kind of speedbumps in as well. The kind that give you the least bump inside your car when you maintain full speed over them, but are really unpleasant if you slow down for them. So the only real effect is gratuitously increasing wear and tear on your car's suspension.
40 years ago in Palmerston North engineers were able to install speed bumps that were a long, high sine wave. So it was smooth and gentle going over them at speeds up to 40ish km/hr, but take them over 50 in most cars it would be horribly uncomfortable and often bottom the suspension.
Not even pretty blue dots would make me voluntarily visit the alienating, meaningless desert of Takapuna – a festering excrescence that ruins quite a nice beach.
Auckland's footpaths are used a lot. Around our way money has been spent on an unused cycle lane, so the footpaths haven't been repaired in decades. Auckland Council has lost the plot.
Aiming a 'one trick pony' jab at Collins would be generous, imo, but if she's on the lovely money then bottle her immediately, starting with those precious 'genie eyebrows'.
Are they Port of Tauranga employees? If they are, how much time do we need to give private sector employers to get this sorted – or are they so ineffectual that the Government needs to regulate now? Looks like we might again be putting ourselves at risk by appeasing businesses – while, ironically, the government gets lambasted for not appeasing them enough.
Not sure the whole story is a little concerning given unloading was paused then restarted then crew testing done… but thought vaccination rates on the border were much better than that… surely MOH would have been keeping track… if not better get a move on because it seems a massive vulnerability.
I really hope we quarintine the effected workers for 14 days, its only going to need one case to slip through.
Well with no vaccine mandate what would anyone expect? Bishop is blaming the Govt of course, so are National promoting a mandate? Is anyone? If not, then plenty of people won't get vaccinated, including privately employed port workers, as is their right.
I do wonder where this sits within health and safety legislation given the danger involved and increased likelihood of exposure to Delta…
The next week or so will potentially make or break the covid response as our overall vaccination rate is nowhere near high enough if delta gets a toehold.
A decade of treating workers like shit says it ain't the shipping company.
The Maritime Union has backed calls by whistle blowers at Port of Tauranga who have come forward after suffering serious workplace injuries.
Several workers spoke to Newshub after suffering chronic injuries while driving long shifts on container straddles, but had to remain anonymous for fear of retribution by employers.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Port of Tauranga gets glowing references as a profitable business in the media – but that profit is obtained from unsatisfactory working practices.
Casual workers at the Port of Tauranga say they are too scared to report accidents and injuries for fear their employer will blacklist them for future work.
The union representing port workers, the Maritime Union, says casual workers fear they will be overlooked for work if they report being injured on the job.
Aren't these 98 people front line workers? The 89 should now be told, as they are not vaccinated, they are on unpaid leave until they either get vaccinated, or the port finds them another position (if any available) that is not front line, if they don't want to be vaccinated.
I thought front line people were already supposed to be fully vaccinated. Hasn't the date been and gone. This is how Covid will get back in otherwise.
Nope not all border worker were covered in Group 1 and 2. Remember also that Group three has just officially begun to be vaccinated at the End of July, which is now 10 days ago, and Group 4 is still a bit away, unless they now just open to all ages – which is what they should/could do.
“However only 54 percent of active port workers have been fully vaccinated, and we need to see this number increased to avoid the risk of COVID-19 entering the country via our ports.
“I am extending the mandatory order to cover a further 1800 currently unvaccinated active border workers. This is necessary to lift the uptake of the vaccine among the wider border workforce and strengthen our ongoing response to COVID-19.
On 1 May 2021, it became mandatory for a narrow group of border workers and Government officials working at the border or an MIQ facility to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
From 15 July 2021, it will also become mandatory for most border workers (air and port) to be vaccinated. This is required by new legislation. The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendments Order 2021 comes into effect at 11:59pm on 14 July.
When affected workers must get vaccinated by
All government employees must have had their first dose by 26 August 2021.
Privately employed border workers must have had their first dose by 30 September 2021.
After the dates above, any new workers covered by the Order will need to have their first dose before starting work. This applies to government and private business employees
So even by Government orders currently there is no mandate that forces people to be vaccinated at this point. See bold above.
One might find it easy to complain about misinformation etc, but it can't be stressed enough that a. People currently working in Ports for private companies and government as of today are not mandated to be fully vaccinated. They still have till the end of August and September to do so. That is not Misinformation, that is straight from govt. and the covid site.
Just a quick note re your first paragraph. Group 3 have been able to get vaccinated since May. Group 4 has been underway since late July and those 50 years old and above can get vaccinated from this Friday (this age cohort has been brought forward apparently today).
According to this, if you believe the government, Group 4 has started 28 July with people aged 60. Today is the 9th of August.
Not sure how many people you expect to get vaccinated in 11 days. I'd say atm they are trying to get as many jabs in as many arms they can get and supplies allow. Assuming that most Port worker will be younger then sixty, not many of these will have gotten the invite for the jab, and as per the government mandate if they are working for a private company they have until the 30 of september for their first jab and until the 28 th of August if they work for government.
I'm 57 with nothing to bump me up the priority list. I got my texted invite to book on Friday 6th August. I'm booked in to get my DNA-reprogramming-space-laser microchips installed on Wednesday next week (initially got a slot for this Thursday, but had to reschedule)
If a border worker hasn't yet received an invitation to book their employer must enter their details on the border worker register and the DHB are to prioritise their vaccination.
So … it is dependant on the individual worker (and if that doesn't happen) then the employer to make it happen.
Like Andre I got my invite to book on the first day that my age cohort was eligible. I am booked for this Friday for jab 1. It all seems pretty easy to me and I don't really understand why so many of the port workers were unvaccinated. I am tending towards casting accusing looks in the direction of the employers/PCBUs.
there is no requirement for any border worker to be vaccinated as of today, they have until end of August and end of September for their FIRST JABS.
so you can look and cast an accusatory eye where you would like, but it does not negate the guidelines by government. Which i posted above. And until the government changes these guidelines, the governement should not blame anyone.
As for you finding it easy, heck i found it even easier. I was included in ‘wider’ whanau and did only need to provide my NHS number and have now been fully vaccinated for over a week now.
So unless you can actually provide anything to show proof that these workers are all evil bad doers hellbent on bringing the country to the brink with their unvaccinated ways, you should simply accept the fact that as per the government guidelines they are not mandated to be vaccinated before Aug for government border staff and Sept for private employment border staff.
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Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
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BAU in the age of climage change?
When images of storm surge waters pouring into New York subways and train tunnels in China with commuters trapped inside railway carriages with flood water up to their necks. It is hard to know what to make of this.
Except to say that this is even worse than the bike bridge.
With predicted sea level rise of over one metre by 2100 and five metres 2300, alongside storm surge events, (if the current portal remains at Victoria Park or even the Britomart Centre), the projected design life of this tunnel will be short, before it will/is flooded as well.
I find it interesting that both, National and Labour are in lock step behind this proposal.
It would be interesting to know what the Green Party's position is.
Do the Green Party support or oppose the government's $15 billion under harbour tunnel?
Can we expect a statement from the Green Party leaders or Green Party spokesperson on transport, either endorsing, or condemning this proposal?
Bonkers.
Probably should get on with building a new bridge, Add dedicated bus lanes both ways so the busway is as efficient as possible. Pedestrian/Cyclist/Ebike/Scooter lanes under the main deck.
I'm not convinced on a tunnel nor rail as public transport from the shore. I'm more in favor of an electrified bus fleet.
Another bridge is all very well but where to put it?
The present harbour bridge has enough capacity. It's the on ramps and merging traffic that jams the whole motorway system. Another bridge marrying into this system will compound the problems
Isn't it time that the powers realise that the CBD is only a small blip on the Ak landscape and the need for everybody to congregate there is one of the major congestion causes.
Wouldn't it be far more cost effective to offer businesses some real incentive to relocate into Aks many dormitory suburbs, there by negating the need for people to travel to or through the CBD.
I like the way you're thinking.
Adding to that – we push everyone into the same space… and time.
There's no reason we could not stagger work times to alleviate rush hour woes.
9-5 should be just one of a range of shift options. Companies that can should flex their flexibility.
Work from home is good and well but I note on social media community pages the biggest whingers typically work from home. It may be making them antisocial? An alternative is to have some office days, and some work from home days. These also could run on staggered times.
It's not that hard to think outside the box unless you're a moron – something which many business and council executives seem to take great pride in.
The uptake of public transport is however in dire straits because covid. So while I like the ideal of getting everyone on buses, I completely understand the reticence of many to utilise the services. Plan B is to electrify our fleets.
In the interim, who's enjoying the traffic jams other than oil executives.
Even better if work times are same to utilise car sharing and public transport to cut back traffic and not just in big apple.
Well clearly that plan doesn't work, large numbers of Aucklanders sit stuck in traffic every day. We're talking predominantly white collar workers: Share their cars? – lol jokes!
My neighbourhood's full of pot bellied pigs who, as a rite of passage to their 50's, get themselves a sports car. Share? Give a toss? More lols.
Covid has totally bitch-slapped attempts to get us into public transport, and ride sharing is not taking off either.
Nature separates species in time and space because it works. Huge diversity in a single tree can be found. Partitioning works. Night bugs, dawn bugs, day bugs, dusk bugs… canopy, sub-canopy, ground, below ground…
We can learn from this – or we can claim our superiority over nature once more and jam everyone and everything in the same space and time – cos that's working out great.
All because we make a plan doesn't mean it's a good plan. Seen central city lately? – our town planners are freaking morons.
Does this mean all IT people move to the north, all insurance people to the west and all bank people to the south? Are we starting a mass migration project here?
If people don't move permanently, based on their new work location, there's the possibility of more road chaos: In an ideal world with all business in a central spot (CBD) and all workers of the CBD evenly distributed around that centre means very little interference in the commute. After a split of the single CBD into several smaller CBDs it can, dependent on the worker distribution, lead to longer commutes for a significant number of people (that can't move) and to more "crossings" of workers that have to travel to a remote CBD.
Cue howls of moneyed rage from chamber of commerce and cbd real estate speculators.
Yes, let us now listen to the howls of outrage from ACT and the Nats about this $5,000 million increase in cost after their howls about a bike/pedestrian bridge costing just 4.6% of the cost of the tunnel.
But of course they love cars so much they will say nothing.
Really? You made that up, didn’t you?
From the link that Jenny included in her comment
BTW I was involved in setting out the upgrading of Fanshaw Street and well remember the excavation of the foot path outside the then vodafone building. We hit water after about 50cm which would recede after high tide. (ie that main arterial -which is on reclaimed land – is just over 50cm above high water mark)
Thanks.
Can Jenny or you tell us what the projected design life of this tunnel is and how short it will be when those predicted environmental changes in 2100 and 2300 (and in between) eventuate?
I'm guessing a tunnel under a harbour probably already has a hefty pumping system installed, and stopbank dams at both portals are really easy to do.
Let’s hear from Macro or Jenny whether they have anything of substance to support Jenny’s claim about the short projected design life of the tunnel. Sounds to me that somebody did these projections and that they were not plucked out of thin air. Maybe this is already accounted for in the design plans and this is part-reason for the high projected cost. So, let’s hear it.
@Incognito – I was replying to your comment expressing surprise at the figures quoted by Jenny and simply referring you to the link she had submitted supporting her comment. That 1 metre of SLR by 2100 is now currently being suggested by some in the field as a possible scenario is quite a wake up call. The current level of warming is around 1.2C and a recent report notes that the Earth's energy imbalance doubled in the 14 years from 2005 to 2019. 2.0C (catastrophic warming) is not just a possibility it is almost a certainty. We can kiss any fond thought of containing warming to 1.5C goodbye.
Sorry, I should have made it clear that I was asking about Jenny’s claims about the short(ened) life of the tunnel rather than about the sea level predictions and storm surges. I was surprised about her claims regarding the tunnel as I was not aware of such bold assertions and risk assessments by experts. BTW, I can read links 😉
Yep that is the case – but even so we only have to look at the recent flooding of the NY subway, and the recent similar flooding in China to know that such a tunnel would not be without risk.
Isn't the NY subway operating again?
Temporary disruption on occasion (when nobody should be using it anyway, e.g. a hurricane) isn't necessarily a major problem.
Obviously it depends upon where the entrance to the tunnel would be located. As I pointed out above the land around the viaduct basin back to the bottom of Franklin Street and the bottom of Queen Street is actually reclaimed land and little above current High water. The amount of flooding in a freshly dug hole some 100 m from the wharf side had to be seen to be believed. You couldn't pump it out – the contractors had to wait till the tide went out to work. It was basically just loads of rock and rubble.
OK.
So how high will the entrances be built?
What's the expected lifespan of the structure?
Is it anything the Dutch haven't dealt with for a few hundred years?
Not quite, the oldest Dutch tunnel is this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastunnel
The Drogden Tunnel, on the Danish side of the new Øresund Bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%98resund_Bridge#Drogden_Tunnel
lol I meant more the "reclaimed land below sea level" sort of thing
Recent disruptions to the Tube in London saw locals dealing with the bus system to try to get to work. Suffice it to say there were many disappointed bosses/punters etc waiting for their workers/entertainment to arrive.
As one comic said of the price and service: It's like paying 20 quid for a basic cheeseburger and getting a plate of shit.
There's no real contingencies built into anything. The neo-libs have demanded efficiency and now we see they've actually served us all a big plate of shit. How's the eating?
These folks fixated on BAU are merely whistling in the wind to try keep their spirits up. It's a nonsensical but understandable reaction to realities they're finding too hard to accept. The weather is breaking systems at such a rate we'll run out of funds to fix them.
Major crisis are converging. Countries are burning and crops are failing all over. Even here in 'the best place to spend an apocalypse' we're seeing how the weather doesn't give a toss about such hubris.
Diversification and decentralisation is absolutely called for. The global supply chain is a joke in the face of ever increasing storm severity and frequency – the oceans will become uninsurable – ships as ecological disasters waiting to happen. It's not if, it's when.
Really, we need to hunker down and collectively create resilience in our systems right now! As for business types, they need to sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up.
So how many auckland tunnels are you after?
Ooohh, I sense an underwater spaghetti junction coming on.
Squiddy Junction!
😀
Me? Tunnels? I only want to eliminate tunnel vision.
Yeah ok, that was as flat as my screen…
What I see is climate change is happening much faster than anticipated. Scientists try hard not to be alarmist but we've been told for several decades we're heading off a cliff and not two fucks was given.
As things now progress at a faster clip, tipping points will kick off other tipping points and the whole shebang will cascade into chaos long before such dates given like 2100 (1 m rise) etc. We've got nothing left in the bank, zero time.
We should be on a war footing right now. Instead – we're "looking forward to November when COP26 world leaders meet to discuss climate"… AGAIN!!! How fucking ridiculous and hopeless and full of shit are these people. I guess every summit they get another massive backhander by oil Inc. so it's all good for them, till they realise they're also fucked.
These billionaire clowns signing up for NZ citizenship so they can hide down here after fucking everything. Disgraceful, inhuman assholes.
Tunnel, bridge, traffic flow… PFFFT. How about stop banks, wetlands, crop diversification, local manufacturing. Assessment of what we can and can't make and fill the gaps to do what we can. Circular economy, local economy. Divest and diverge from the sociopaths right now.
But no, another distraction. Olympics, a new phone, some vacuous celebrity bint talking about another vacuous celebrity clown.
What's the bet half that ship full of covid infected sailors is brimming with Amazon products. For the must haves.
See, I thought Jenny was saying the tunnel was a stupid idea because the entrance might be under water in a hundred years. Not sure what Auckland Transport can do about crop diversification before then…
It's all connected and you know it. Our obsession with getting traffic moving is a ridiculous sideshow in the face of climate change which is now upon us.
We need to be on a war footing, doing all we can to mitigate the worst effects because there is no time left. We can worry about future roads when the future is not in question.
So you be flippant and foolish all you like. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
p.s. hahaha, gosh, good one.
Yes, it is all connected.
But local transport needs shouldn't be held in stasis because we still have coal-fired power plants.
We need to move off fossil fuels while still updating our infrastructure. How does increasing traffic congestion help address climate change?
Hi Incognito, as you are probably aware there is a lot of uncertainty about when the predicted environmental changes brought on by climate change will eventuate.
In answer to your question about when these events may eventuate; recent events here and overseas which caught many experts by surprise, seem to suggest that the modeling of when these events will eventuat may be underestimating the expected time line.
In answer to your other question about the designe life of this tunnel:
As yet, none of the details of this proposed tunnel, including its projected design life, have been released by the government.
However, I would expect that the designers have factored in climate change into their planning.
That being the case;
With rising ocean temperatures that fuel hurricanes, with expanding tropical zones, with tropical cyclones creeping further south. (and north).
On good authority I have been advised that there is probably more than even chance, that a storm surge caused by a climate change supercharged cyclone, will see the southern portal to this tunnel, muted to be at Victoria Park, being overtopped within the next 50 years.
Taking these factores into account, I would say that the designers are probably aiming for a design life of 25 years.
Speaking personally, (and you may disagree), but I think that if we are going to spend $15 billion on anything, I would hope it would be on something that will last a bit longer than that.
The interesting thing to look for, will be length of coverage the insurance industry are prepared to give this structure.
Time for an OIA?
No doubt their decision will be informed by the tunnel floodings overseas.
Go for it, Jenny! And let us know when you get the answers to your enquiries.
https://www.dia.govt.nz/Official-Information-Act-requests
Most LG assets are self insured (uninsured)
Never asked when these weather-related events may eventuate.
Your “good authority” is of no use to us if we cannot verify anything.
In other words, you have no idea and making a wild uneducated guess. What’s new?
As I suspected, you made it up.
Thanks for confirming and clarifying.
You are perfectly entitled to talk claptrap about sea level rise. But that does not mean we have to swallow it
If the Northern Pathway bike bridge was bonkers, this is completely bonkers.
Though the government have not said whether this $15 billion tunnel will include a road option, the previous estimate of $10 billion was for the rail and road option.
From this I think we can safely assume, that the government has caved in to political pressure from the powerful roading lobby, and political allies, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the National and Act parties.
In spite of right wing ideological committment to private cars.
One thing Auckland doesn't need is another road way across the Waitemata feeding into the inner city and Northern motorway increasing congestion and pollution.
Madness.
The old bridge simply doesn't fit all modes, wasn't built for light rail, and is so old it's irredeemably fragile.
People should just accept its expensive.
No one in NZ outside Auckland has a clue about the scale we now operate at.
CRL is $5b and 3.3kms long. Over a million a metre. Started by National government.
Spend the money.
Some things never change – the US war machine 'destroying the village to save it!
Plaque ship in tauranga, 100 workers have been on board, hang onto your hat hope our luck holds, I say shut tauranga now.
Some anti-plaque toothpaste should sort this….or is it a plague ship?
Had your fun at someone else's expense. "q" instead "g" Big deal!!
Just a joke Patricia…..I made a friendly comment and owned up the other day when I wrote "incite" instead of "insight" and somebody humorously picked me up on it.
Meanwhile I agree with your comment below that ships arriving here where half of the crew have Covid are a major Covid risk to NZ. Port and ship workers should be vaccinated already as a priority.
Does anyone out there have info as to what percentage of these workers have been vaccinated?
Sorry over the top reaction. Sensitive about word difficulties for some.
No worries.
I'll have to brush up on my spelling
A very frightening event, which shows the difficulties facing port and ship workers during the shortages and delays caused by the pandemic.
This was predictable as the third cargo ship in as many weeks. Just like Australia having Covid community transmission and the trans Tasman bubble being suspended for 8 weeks.
See how the next 14 days go.
Hopefully all the Tauranga port workers and their families are vaccinated (they are supposed to be) so hopefully no need to lock Tauranga down.
It doesn't matter if they are vaccinated or not, they are still going to spread it to those unvaccinated.
That is the issue The transmission by healthy people/asymptomatic people/vaccinated people is why mask wearing in mandatory in many vaccinated countries. Delta is a difficult and dangerous beast.
Absolutely, that's why we need everyone that wants to be vaccinated, to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Quite, but they aren't, so if there are cases found among the port workers whether vaccinated or not, Tauranga must be locked down.
I can't believe port workers have been allowed to go on board foreign vessels. Tell me that is not true.
Don't they kinda have to?
Oh, well. If people are looking for the source of all outbreaks in NZ since May 2020, look no further than the ports.
Well, no. That's not how any of that works.
But if we're still accepting frieght, don't port workers make sure shipboard containers etc are hooked up properly before being hoisted, pilots guide vessels in, and various victuallers do their thing?
There can be mitigations and distancing around most of those activities, but since day ISTR port workers being viewed as frontline staff. With, I believe, fewer breaches than MIQ.
Which could be regarded as another example of precarious workers being "essential yet unappreciated".
I don't believe port workers have had fewer breaches than MIQ because there have been no substantiated breaches at MIQ since the lift button case.
It is true that they are on the front line so I'm annoyed that ports and maritime unions and the MoH don't seem to have this under control yet.
Do not associate with foreign crew at any distance, it's that simple.
How about before the lift button case?
And I don't just mean disease leaks, I mean shit like people going to liquor stores, crossover at the check in counter, that dude who popped into the person's room for half an hour or so…
More dysfunction in the public service
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/conservation-board-bust-up-minister-weighs-in-ex-chair-speaks
The number of ministries being exposed grows by the day.
If you're looking for reasons for lack of progress in conservation issues in this government, look no further than this article and the sustained inability of the Minister to act on governance issues with Maori that are of her own making.
Sadly the dysfunction isnt confined to Conservation
It's impressively concentrated there.
Prolly cheaper to dynamite the bridge and make ppl stick to their own side or go round.
North Island power constraint 1730-2000 (9/8/2021)
https://www.transpower.co.nz/sites/default/files/interfaces/can/CAN%20Low%20Residual%20Situation%204025411929.pdf
Market responds with most expensive pricing on the planet (afaik)
$10000 mwh.
https://www1.electricityinfo.co.nz/
Glenbrook will shut down inside a year at this rate. They've warned Minister Woods in writing.
Market says so must be correct.
All hail the almighty market.
Rolling blackouts wtf is going on… no warnings either
Continues into tuesday,with significant constraints.
https://www.transpower.co.nz/sites/default/files/interfaces/can/CAN%20Low%20Residual%20Situation%204027695919.pdf
Need to lower consumption significantly ie reduce vanity lighting such as sky tower etc.and issue conservation notifications.
What's on tvnz 1 at 4:30 PM today? The freeview guide says it's confidential. Should we brace for a Covid case announcement?
https://freeviewnz.tv/tvguide/whats-on/?channelId=9
Well, whatever it is it ain't gonna be confidential after 4:30pm.
This will be it:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-gives-updates-on-vaccinations-rollout/GAEYWS5QHVTZLCMBHCCHKIXG3I/
For those who live outside of Auckland, you can once again look on and contemplate the madness of our Council and it's extended organisations.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/08/henderson-residents-fuming-after-shambolic-safety-trial-sees-192k-of-taxpayer-money-spent-on-painting-intersection-blue.html
Yep.
Then there's the cycleways into Glen Eden, which I frequently drive beside and have yet to see a single cyclist using. Dedicating part of the roadway for cyclists isn't actually the problem, it's that fukn moron traffic engineers put the worst kind of speedbumps in as well. The kind that give you the least bump inside your car when you maintain full speed over them, but are really unpleasant if you slow down for them. So the only real effect is gratuitously increasing wear and tear on your car's suspension.
40 years ago in Palmerston North engineers were able to install speed bumps that were a long, high sine wave. So it was smooth and gentle going over them at speeds up to 40ish km/hr, but take them over 50 in most cars it would be horribly uncomfortable and often bottom the suspension.
Agreed.
There seems to be a prevailing madness in Auckland at the moment on spending money on ideological brain farts. This one in Takapuna was $400,000, and that (like the debacle in Henderson) also had Panuku’s fingerprints on it.
Not even pretty blue dots would make me voluntarily visit the alienating, meaningless desert of Takapuna – a festering excrescence that ruins quite a nice beach.
Auckland's footpaths are also barely used at all now.
May as well demolish them too.
Auckland's footpaths are used a lot. Around our way money has been spent on an unused cycle lane, so the footpaths haven't been repaired in decades. Auckland Council has lost the plot.
Aiming a 'one trick pony' jab at Collins would be generous, imo, but if she's on the lovely money then bottle her immediately, starting with those precious 'genie eyebrows'.
Surely, Judith Collins meant accidental one trick pony?
Wow only 9 out of 98 workers who boarded the Covid ship vaccinated…
Given its only been a short time period and its delts surely we need to get them into an MIQ facility for 2 weeks asap…
Fully paid of course…
Are they Port of Tauranga employees? If they are, how much time do we need to give private sector employers to get this sorted – or are they so ineffectual that the Government needs to regulate now? Looks like we might again be putting ourselves at risk by appeasing businesses – while, ironically, the government gets lambasted for not appeasing them enough.
Not sure the whole story is a little concerning given unloading was paused then restarted then crew testing done… but thought vaccination rates on the border were much better than that… surely MOH would have been keeping track… if not better get a move on because it seems a massive vulnerability.
I really hope we quarintine the effected workers for 14 days, its only going to need one case to slip through.
Well with no vaccine mandate what would anyone expect? Bishop is blaming the Govt of course, so are National promoting a mandate? Is anyone? If not, then plenty of people won't get vaccinated, including privately employed port workers, as is their right.
I do wonder where this sits within health and safety legislation given the danger involved and increased likelihood of exposure to Delta…
The next week or so will potentially make or break the covid response as our overall vaccination rate is nowhere near high enough if delta gets a toehold.
I wonder if it was the shipping company that laid down the law.
Possibly we are very exposed re shipping 3 major players have already withdrawn from Oceania…
A decade of treating workers like shit says it ain't the shipping company.
The Maritime Union has backed calls by whistle blowers at Port of Tauranga who have come forward after suffering serious workplace injuries.
Several workers spoke to Newshub after suffering chronic injuries while driving long shifts on container straddles, but had to remain anonymous for fear of retribution by employers.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says Port of Tauranga gets glowing references as a profitable business in the media – but that profit is obtained from unsatisfactory working practices.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2107/S00002/port-of-tauranga-is-responsible-for-worker-harm.htm
22 Feb, 2012 12:00 PM
[…]
Casual workers at the Port of Tauranga say they are too scared to report accidents and injuries for fear their employer will blacklist them for future work.
The union representing port workers, the Maritime Union, says casual workers fear they will be overlooked for work if they report being injured on the job.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/safety-fears-raised-at-tauranga-port/VBVKPAU2NFWPBBVSEMU2K7QGZE/
Aren't these 98 people front line workers? The 89 should now be told, as they are not vaccinated, they are on unpaid leave until they either get vaccinated, or the port finds them another position (if any available) that is not front line, if they don't want to be vaccinated.
I thought front line people were already supposed to be fully vaccinated. Hasn't the date been and gone. This is how Covid will get back in otherwise.
Nope not all border worker were covered in Group 1 and 2. Remember also that Group three has just officially begun to be vaccinated at the End of July, which is now 10 days ago, and Group 4 is still a bit away, unless they now just open to all ages – which is what they should/could do.
But here from the Ministry in 12 July 2021
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-makes-covid-19-vaccinations-mandatory-more-border-jobs
https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/vaccinations-and-work/border-and-miq-worker-vaccinations/
How the requirements work
So even by Government orders currently there is no mandate that forces people to be vaccinated at this point. See bold above.
One might find it easy to complain about misinformation etc, but it can't be stressed enough that a. People currently working in Ports for private companies and government as of today are not mandated to be fully vaccinated. They still have till the end of August and September to do so. That is not Misinformation, that is straight from govt. and the covid site.
Just a quick note re your first paragraph. Group 3 have been able to get vaccinated since May. Group 4 has been underway since late July and those 50 years old and above can get vaccinated from this Friday (this age cohort has been brought forward apparently today).
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-getting-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-rollout
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-getting-vaccine/covid-19-vaccine-rollout
According to this, if you believe the government, Group 4 has started 28 July with people aged 60. Today is the 9th of August.
Not sure how many people you expect to get vaccinated in 11 days. I'd say atm they are trying to get as many jabs in as many arms they can get and supplies allow. Assuming that most Port worker will be younger then sixty, not many of these will have gotten the invite for the jab, and as per the government mandate if they are working for a private company they have until the 30 of september for their first jab and until the 28 th of August if they work for government.
so yeah, group 4 has been 'open' since 28 July.
I'm 57 with nothing to bump me up the priority list. I got my texted invite to book on Friday 6th August. I'm booked in to get my DNA-reprogramming-space-laser microchips installed on Wednesday next week (initially got a slot for this Thursday, but had to reschedule)
(alwyn, eat your heart out!)
If a border worker hasn't yet received an invitation to book their employer must enter their details on the border worker register and the DHB are to prioritise their vaccination.
https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/how-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccination/vaccinations-and-work/border-and-miq-worker-vaccinations/
So … it is dependant on the individual worker (and if that doesn't happen) then the employer to make it happen.
Like Andre I got my invite to book on the first day that my age cohort was eligible. I am booked for this Friday for jab 1. It all seems pretty easy to me and I don't really understand why so many of the port workers were unvaccinated. I am tending towards casting accusing looks in the direction of the employers/PCBUs.
there is no requirement for any border worker to be vaccinated as of today, they have until end of August and end of September for their FIRST JABS.
so you can look and cast an accusatory eye where you would like, but it does not negate the guidelines by government. Which i posted above. And until the government changes these guidelines, the governement should not blame anyone.
As for you finding it easy, heck i found it even easier. I was included in ‘wider’ whanau and did only need to provide my NHS number and have now been fully vaccinated for over a week now.
So unless you can actually provide anything to show proof that these workers are all evil bad doers hellbent on bringing the country to the brink with their unvaccinated ways, you should simply accept the fact that as per the government guidelines they are not mandated to be vaccinated before Aug for government border staff and Sept for private employment border staff.