Category: Cities

Shaw’s Bird Park, the road, and the Council: A bureaucratic nightmare in Hamilton

Posted by Admin | Dec 17, 2023 | Article, Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Petitions, Protest

Cities

CityWatch NZ responds to accusations from a Hamilton City Councillor

Feb 10, 2024 | Article, C40 Cities, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Traffic Calming, UN 2030 Agenda, United Nations, Vision Zero

Background Developed and launched in 2023, the www.CityWatchNZ.org website focuses on issues with...

OPINION: Te Huia or Te Toroa? The Costly Rail Service.

Jun 25, 2024 | Auckland City, Christchurch City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Invercargill City, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Transport and Roading, Waikato Region
OPINION: Speed bumps for Wairere Drive

Dec 8, 2024 | Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Opinion, Resource Management Act (RMA), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading
NZTA consultation on three proposed toll roads (closes 7 Oct 2024)

Sep 30, 2024 | Article, Cities and Regions, Consultation, News, Palmerston North City, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading
Consultation for the Hamilton City Council Long-term Plan 2024-2034

Mar 29, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, News, Rates Increases, Resources, Taking Action

Cities

Local Government Act Reforms: December 2024 Media Coverage

Dec 21, 2024 | Cities, Cities and Regions, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Regions, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

Summary On the 16th of December 2024, Minister for Local Government Simeon Brown announced a...

Additional Posts

BOP Times Article: Welcome Bay residents call for removal of speed bump due to vibration impacts

Dec 8, 2024 | Contractors, Council Spending, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Property Rights, Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Summary According to the Bay of Plenty Times: Locals on Osprey Drive in Welcome Bay are...

The Cost of Te Huia Train

Nov 27, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, Opinion, Rail, Waikato Region

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) August 2024 – KiwiRail Monthly Operating Costs Running...

$1.4 Million Raised Crossing Project Increases Congestion on Thomas Road-Horsham Downs Road, Hamilton

Nov 27, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Previously the roundabout at the corner of Thomas Road and Horsham Downs Road allowed 2 lanes,...

Crown Observer to Monitor Wellington City Council

Nov 4, 2024 | Article, Asset Sales, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Three Waters, Wellington City

Summary On the 22 October 2024 Local Government Minister Simeon Brown announced that he was...

Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing to be redesigned

Nov 2, 2024 | Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

On 23 October 2024 Hamilton City Council voted to redesign the planned crossing on Heaphy Terrace....

AA on Road Pricing: Member Views and the Association’s Position

Nov 2, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) describes itself as “New Zealand’s biggest...

BOP Times Article: Tauranga raised pedestrian crossing ripped out after vibration issues, returned to original design

Nov 2, 2024 | Council Spending, Hostile Architecture, New Zealand Issues, News, Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Summary A raised pedestrian crossing in the Matua suburb of Tauranga is being removed and replaced...

News coverage of the meetings to oppose the Tararua toll road

Oct 25, 2024 | Cities and Regions, Consultation, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, News, Palmerston North City, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Safety and Well-being, Toll Roads, Transport and Roading

Summary State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge was closed in 2017 due to slips. Saddle road is...

OPEN LETTER: Getting Local Government ‘Back on Track’

Oct 25, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Crime, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Open Letters, Opinion, Property Rights, Rates Increases

By Don Hewison (ScEdD, ChEdD) and sent to government ministers in October 2024 I recently read Hon...

OPINION: Building on Weak Foundations

Oct 25, 2024 | Auckland City, Hamilton City, High-density Housing, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Last week, Kainga Ora (Housing New Zealand) proudly...

Shaw’s Bird Park: A Part Day in Court

Oct 11, 2024 | Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

After being arrested and released by police on the 10th of September 2024, Murray Shaw showed up...

OPINION: Shaw’s Bird Park: Broken Promises and Debt-fuelled Destruction

Oct 3, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Crime, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) Back in...

Shaw’s Bird Park: Diggers, Barricades, and Trespass Notices

Oct 3, 2024 | Article, Contractors, Council Debt, Council Spending, Crime, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Parks and Reserves, Property Rights, Protest, Shaw's Bird Park

Contractor’s machinery occupying parts of the Bird Park, Photographed in September 2024...

OPINION: Why Vote Against “Safety” and “Free Money”?

Oct 1, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Mode Shift, News, Open Letters, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Wellington City

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) The issue...

Hamilton’s $689,000 raised crossing delayed

Oct 1, 2024 | Consultation, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Voting Record

On Thursday (26 September 2024) Hamilton City Council voted to delay a decision on the plans for a...

US court ruling on fluoride in drinking water being a health hazard

Oct 1, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities, Cities and Regions, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hutt City, International, Invercargill City, Law and Legislation, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Porirua City, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Water Fluoridation, Wellington City, World Health Organisation

A major US court ruling on water fluoridation has judged that fluoridation of drinking water at...

“Stop Water Fluoridation” petition (closes 19 Nov 2024)

Oct 1, 2024 | Auckland City, Cities, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hutt City, Invercargill City, New Plymouth District, New Zealand Issues, News, Palmerston North City, Petitions, Porirua City, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Waikato Region, Waipa District, Water Fluoridation, Wellington City

This petition to parliament is due to close on 19 November 2024 (11:59 pm). Go to this link to...

Ombudsman surveying public on OIA/LGOIMA and council transparency (closes 29 November 2024)

Sep 30, 2024 | Auckland City, Consultation, Freedom of Expression, Greater Wellington Region, Hutt City, New Zealand Issues, News, Official Information Act, Porirua City, Taking Action, Three Waters, Upper Hutt City, Wellington City

The Chief Ombudsman is undertaking self-initiated investigations into the official information...

OPINION: Councils are Out of Control

Sep 26, 2024 | Auckland City, Code of Conduct complaints, Council Finances, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Open Letters, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Councils are out of control. Not just Hamilton City,...

OPINION: Hamilton City Council Borrowing to Increase

Sep 16, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGFA, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters

The government is allowing debt to rise to 500% of waters revenue for new “Local Water Done Well” Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs). There are also plans to increase the borrowing limit for high growth councils to 350% of council revenue.

OPINION: Hamilton City Council’s Credit Downgrade Not a Surprise

Sep 15, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, News, Opinion, Three Waters

By Rob Pascoe (Chartered Accountant, Former Hamilton City Councillor, and Hamilton Ratepayer) Some...

OPINION: The Slippery Slope is a Strategy, not a Fallacy

Sep 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Internet of Things, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

By John McDonald (CityWatch NZ Editor and 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate) With the...

OPINION “Local Water Done Well” and the Hamilton Ratepayer

Aug 31, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Water Meters

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) “Local Water Done Well” is the Coalition Government’s plan...

Wellington City Council looks to reduce numbers of raised crossings in Thorndon Quay plan

Aug 31, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Petitions, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record, Wellington City

Opposition to Wellington City Council’s plan to install five raised pedestrian crossing along...

OPINION: Luxon Nails Councils

Aug 27, 2024 | Auckland City, Contractors, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, LGNZ, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Prime Minister Chris Luxon fronted the Local Government...

OPINION: The Fight Against Speed Bumps Rolls On

Aug 18, 2024 | Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Voting Record

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Hamilton City Council’s Infrastructure committee...

RNZ articles on congestion charging and time-of-use charging (July-August 2024)

Aug 18, 2024 | Auckland City, Consultation, Council Funding, Hamilton City, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary Radio New Zealand (RNZ) covers the push to legalise congestion charges and time-of-use...

New Zealand Initiative Report: Driving Change – How road pricing can improve our roads

Aug 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities, Council Funding, Electromagnetic Pollution (3G, 4G, 5G), Hamilton City, Internet of Things, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Protest, Road Pricing and Congestion Charges, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Tauranga City, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary The New Zealand Initiative self-identifies as a “Wellington-based think tank supported...

OPINION: Te Huia History Part 1 (1968-2010)

Aug 3, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, Opinion, Overview, Public Transport, Rail, Transport and Roading, Waikato Region

Te Huia Auckland-Hamilton Passenger Rail Service and Its Predecessors: History Part 1 (1968-2010)...

Opposition mobilises against the five raised crossings on Thorndon Quay, Wellington

Jul 29, 2024 | Article, Council Spending, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Greater Wellington Region, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Petitions, Public Transport, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary Further opposition mobilises against Wellington City Council’s plan to install five raised...

Who is Taituarā (SOLGM)?

Jul 26, 2024 | Article, Cities, Cities and Regions, Contractors, Council Spending, Global Agendas, Local Government Reform, Managed Retreat, New Zealand Issues, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Regions

Summary Taituarā was called the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM)...

Hamilton City Council Parks and Open Spaces survey closes 29 July 2024

Jul 25, 2024 | Consultation, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Parks and Reserves, Taking Action, Transport and Roading

An opportunity to educate the Hamilton City Council on how the City’s parks and public...

Democracy Project Article: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country

Jul 25, 2024 | Asset Sales, Core Services, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Water Meters, Wellington City

[Originally published 29 April 2024 on the Democracy Project] By Dr Bryce Edwards (Political...

OPINION: The Illusion of Power: How Local Govt Bureaucrats Overawe Democratically-Elected Councillors

Jul 25, 2024 | Asset Sales, Cities, Code of Conduct complaints, Core Services, Council Meetings, Freedom of Expression, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Professional Managerial Class, Wellington City

[Originally published 13 June 2024 on the Democracy Project ] By Chris Trotter (Political...

Democracy Project Article: When unelected officials dominate the local democratic process

Jul 25, 2024 | Article, Asset Sales, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities and Regions, Code of Conduct complaints, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Global Agendas, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Opinion, Overview, Professional Managerial Class, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Wellington City

Summary Bryce Edwards (Political Analyst and Director of the Democracy Project) provides a...

The Spinoff and The Post cover a planned $55 million project to install five raised crossings in Wellington

Jul 25, 2024 | Council Spending, Disruptions, Emergency Services, Greater Wellington Region, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Summary Wellington City Council is planning to install five raised pedestrian crossing along...

OPINION: Plague of the Zombies

Jul 14, 2024 | Climate Change and Weather, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Natural Hazards, Opinion, Resource Management Act (RMA)

By Mark Flyger (Hamilton Ratepayer) Having just binged over the long weekend on the movies The...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Jos Nagels

Jul 11, 2024 | Core Services, Council Finances, Council Spending, Elections, High-density Housing, Opinion, Public Transport, Rail, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading

Jos Nagels’ Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga election...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Gerry Hodgson

Jul 5, 2024 | Climate Change and Weather, Core Services, Elections, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Safety and Well-being, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024

Gerry Hodgson’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

OPINION: Rage against the machine

Jul 3, 2024 | Code of Conduct complaints, Consultation, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Opinion, Protest, Waipa District

By Andrew Bydder A message I sent to Waipa council as a private citizen and resident of the...

OPINION: A bridge too far

Jul 3, 2024 | Code of Conduct complaints, Consultation, Council Spending, Freedom of Expression, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Protest, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Waipa District

By Andrew Bydder The sleepy leafy suburbs of quaint conservative Cambridge were torn apart by...

What is RCP8.5?

Jun 30, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Cities and Regions, Climate Change and Weather, Flood Risk, Global Agendas, Global Warming, Greater Wellington Region, Hamilton City, International Organisation, Kapiti Coast District, Law and Legislation, Managed Retreat, Natural Hazards, Overview, Resource Management Act (RMA), United Nations, Wellington City

Summary RCP8.5 (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5) is a climate change model scenario used...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Anthony Goddard

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Spending, Elections, High-density Housing, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Public Transport, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

Anthony Goddard’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Robert Coe

Jun 30, 2024 | Elections, Health and Safety, Law and Legislation, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Three Waters, Water Fluoridation

Robert Coe’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Abraham (Bram) van Berkel

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, High-density Housing, Managed Retreat, Natural Hazards, Opinion, Rates Increases, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading

Abraham (Bram) van Berkel’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Jacqueline Pointon

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Finances, Elections, Health and Safety, High-density Housing, Opinion, Public Transport, Rates Increases, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Three Waters, Transport and Roading

Jacqueline Pointon’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Rod Taylor

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Disruptions, Elections, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024

Rod Taylor’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Tim Maltby

Jun 30, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Funding, Council Spending, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024, Transport and Roading

Tim Maltby’s Invited Opinion Piece [All contactable candidates for the 2024 Tauranga...

OPINION: Understanding Development Contributions

Jun 25, 2024 | Council Funding, Developer Contributions, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Opinion

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor To understand Hamilton’s DC policy, we will use a real...

OPINION: 100% Rates Rise

Jun 21, 2024 | Consultation, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, News, Opinion, Rates Increases

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Hamilton City Council’s Long-term Plan – what you need...

OPINION: The Orange Cone Infestation

Jun 21, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, News, Official Information Act, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Transport and Roading

By Margaret Evans (former Mayor and Hamilton Ratepayer) I’ve suggested to Hamilton City...

Hamilton City Council Long-Term Plan Hearings: Day 2 Highlights

Jun 7, 2024 | Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Rates Increases, Taking Action, Transport and Roading

Selected speakers from the 2nd day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...

Protest outside Hamilton City Council on the 27th of June

May 31, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Protest, Taking Action

A protest is being planned before Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan is finalised in...

Hamilton City Council Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward By-election 2024

May 31, 2024 | Article, Elections, Hamilton City, Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward By-election 2024, News, Taking Action

Update 18/08/2024 Election Results Maria Te Aukaha Huata was declared the winner of the...

Hamilton City Council Long-Term Plan Hearings: Day 1 Highlights

May 30, 2024 | Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Rates Increases, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Surveillance, Three Waters, Traffic Calming, UN 2030 Agenda

Selected speakers from the 1st day of the public hearings for the Hamilton City Council Long-Term...

Tauranga City Council Election 2024

May 16, 2024 | Article, Elections, News, Taking Action, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Council Election 2024

After more than three years of local democracy being suspended to enable the rule of appointed...

Colin Jones on Hamilton City Council’s Long-Term Plan

May 15, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Official Information Act, Open Letters, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases, Taking Action

On 15 May 2024, Colin Jones presented to Hamilton City Council about the Long-Term Plan. Video of...

Protest outside Hamilton City Council on the 17th of May

May 11, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Petitions, Protest, Rates Increases, Taking Action

A protest is being planned for the last day of the “verbal submissions“ phase of Hamilton City...

A misleading headline and Hamilton City Council’s sensitivity to the word “fudging”

May 11, 2024 | Article, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, News, Rates Increases

With Hamilton City Council’s reported financial situation rapidly getting worse, the 7th of May...

OPINION: Hamilton Mayor’s ANZAC visit to Belgium

Apr 25, 2024 | Article, Council Spending, Hamilton City, International, News, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Rates Increases

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) Menin Gate, Ieper, Belgium. Photo credit Johan Bakker...

OPINION: Margaret Evans’ submission on the Hamilton City Long-Term Plan

Apr 21, 2024 | Article, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Local Government Reform, News, Open Letters, Opinion, Parks and Reserves, Taking Action

By Margaret Evans (former Mayor and Hamilton Ratepayer) To the Mayor and Councillors:...

OPINION: Analysis of Hamilton City Council’s financial position

Apr 19, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Official Information Act, Opinion, Rates Increases, Taking Action

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) In preparation of the 2024-34 Long Term Plan the Mayor...

Waikato Times article: Firefighters spark up at loathed traffic calming measures

Apr 16, 2024 | Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Protest, Public Transport, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

Headline: Firefighters spark up at loathed traffic calming measures Authored by: Stacey Rangitonga...

Long-Term Plan consultation guide

Apr 15, 2024 | Article, Cities, Consultation, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Spending, Guides, Hamilton City, Law and Legislation, Overview, Resources, Taking Action, Wellington City

In New Zealand, city councils usually produce a Long-Term Plan every three years. The council’s...

OPINION: Why is Hamilton City Council unable to prepare and promise a financial budget that works?

Apr 13, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases, Taking Action

By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) Last year’s reported “balancing the books” deficit of...

Petition to stop rates increases and growing debt at Hamilton City Council

Apr 10, 2024 | Consultation, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Petitions, Protest, Rates Increases, Taking Action

This petition is running on change.org and is titled “STOP HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL RATE...

NZ Herald and RNZ cover emergency vehicles being impacted by Auckland’s “traffic calming measures”

Mar 31, 2024 | Auckland City, Emergency Services, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, Interview, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

Headline: Kiwi firefighters raise alarm on speed humps installed by Auckland Transport slowing...

OPINION: Speed bumps are a public emergency

Mar 31, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Emergency Services, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Hostile Architecture, News, Opinion, Safety and Well-being, Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor When Hamilton City Council began its Waka...

Opposing the planned raised platform on Wairere Drive at the Karewa Place turnoff

Mar 28, 2024 | Article, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Letter Templates, Mode Shift, Protest, Resource Management Act (RMA), Resources, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

Hamilton City Council recently (5th of March 2024) voted for a plan to install a large raised...

OPINION: Rethinking water meters in Hamilton. A closer look at costs, equity and efficacy

Mar 27, 2024 | Cities, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Leo Liu, 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate In the heart of discussions surrounding...

OPINION: Water meters back on the cards for Hamilton

Mar 27, 2024 | Core Services, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Tauranga City, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Geoff Kreegher (Hamilton Ratepayer) Water meters appear to be back on the agenda for Hamilton...

OPINION: Hamilton and water meters. How Hamilton City Council wants to continue to kick the can down the road.

Mar 27, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Opinion, Rates Increases, Three Waters

By Richard Brister, 2024 Hamilton East Ward By-election Candidate Straight after the Hamilton...

OPINION: Speed bumps coming to Wairere Drive

Mar 23, 2024 | Article, Council Meetings, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Opinion, Protest, Resource Management Act (RMA), Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

By Andrew Bydder, Hamilton City Councillor Half of Hamiltonians use Wairere Drive regularly. For...

Public Consultation for WEL Energy Trust Annual Plan and Consumer Discount closes 20 March 2024

Mar 17, 2024 | Cities and Regions, Consultation, Core Services, ENERGY, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Hamilton City, Letter Templates, News, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Taking Action, UN 2030 Agenda, United Nations

Graphic from page 13 of the WEL Energy Trust Draft Annual Plan 2024-2025 [Editor’s note: CityWatch...

Consultation finishes on 2 April 2024 for the draft GPS on land transport

Mar 7, 2024 | Cities, Cities and Regions, Consultation, Core Services, Council Funding, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, News, Public Transport, Regions, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Send your feedback to the Ministry of Transport before noon on the 2nd of April 2024 regarding the...

OPINION: Hamilton City Council’s First Rating Downgrade in a Decade

Mar 7, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, News, Opinion, Rates Increases

By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) Councils in NZ use International Rating Agencies to...

NZ Herald articles: Removal of the Three Kings raised pedestrian crossing in Auckland

Feb 29, 2024 | Auckland City, Council Spending, Hostile Architecture, New Zealand Issues, News, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

Bernard Orsman at the NZ Herald has written a series of articles in January 2024 and February 2024...

OPINION: Water Meters in Hamilton City

Feb 29, 2024 | Auckland City, Core Services, Council Funding, Council Spending, Hamilton City, International, Opinion, Three Waters, Wellington City

By Prudintis (a Hamilton City Ratepayer) There has been considerable hype for years around...

Notice of Revocation on Hamilton transport projects

Feb 27, 2024 | Article, Council Funding, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Hamilton City, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Taking Action, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

UPDATE: 11 March 2024: The Youtube video of this council meeting is available with public forum...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Roger Stratford

Feb 11, 2024 | Council Finances, Council Funding, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Roger Stratford’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were...

What are the disadvantages and negative impacts of “traffic calming”?

Feb 9, 2024 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Cities, Council Spending, Dunedin City, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Official Information Act, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero, Wellington City

Common sense and experience would tell us that “traffic calming” measures, such as installing...

CANDIDATE OPINION: John McDonald

Feb 9, 2024 | Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Hostile Architecture, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, New Zealand Issues, Opinion, Public Transport, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Vision Zero

John McDonald’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Joan Shi

Feb 3, 2024 | Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Crime, Elections, Libraries and Museums, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Public Transport, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, Transport and Roading, Wellington City, Wellington Pukehῑnau/Lambton Ward 2024 By-election

Joan Shi’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited to...

CANDIDATE OPINION: Tim Macindoe

Feb 3, 2024 | Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Funding, Council Spending, Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Local Government Reform, Opinion, Rates Increases, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading

Tim Macindoe’s Invited Opinion Piece [All candidates for the 2024 By-elections were invited...

Wellington Pukehῑnau/Lambton Ward By-election 2024

Jan 21, 2024 | Elections, Taking Action, Wellington City, Wellington Pukehῑnau/Lambton Ward 2024 By-election

[Update 27/02/2024: The official result for this by-election was the election of Geordie Rogers...

Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election

Jan 21, 2024 | Elections, Hamilton City, Hamilton East Ward 2024 By-election, Taking Action

[Update 27/02/2024: The official result for this by-election was the election of Tim Macindoe with...

Opinion article in The Spinoff: Let’s Get Wellington Moving was a giant waste of time

Dec 25, 2023 | Core Services, Council Meetings, Council Spending, Greater Wellington Region, Hostile Architecture, Local Government Reform, Mode Shift, News, Opinion, Public Transport, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Headline: Let’s Get Wellington Moving was a giant waste of time Authored by: Joel MacManus...

Newsroom article: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third

Dec 25, 2023 | Buller District, Core Services, Council Debt, Council Finances, Council Spending, Far North District, Hamilton City, Health and Safety, Incoming Legislation, Law and Legislation, Local Government Reform, New Zealand Issues, News, Rates Increases, Safety and Well-being, Three Waters, United Nations, World Health Organisation

Headline: Three Waters repeal forces councils to hike rates by a third Authored by: Jonathan Milne...

Dec 3, 2023 | Article, Auckland City, Christchurch City, Dunedin City, Hamilton City, Hostile Architecture, Mode Shift, Overview, Public Transport, Safety and Well-being, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Tauranga City, Traffic Calming, Transport and Roading, UN 2030 Agenda, Vision Zero, Wellington City

“Traffic calming. The combination of street designs and traffic rules that deliberately...

RCR Interview: Bloomberg Philanthropies gives Wellington City $1 million US dollars. City installing traffic sensor network

Nov 16, 2023 | Climate Change and Weather, Council Finances, Internet of Things, Interview, News, Smart Cities (+ 20-minute Cities), Transport and Roading, Wellington City

Reality Check Radio’s Paul Brennan interviews Jaspreet Bopari Paul commences the interview by...

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