The National-led government has proposed increasing speed limits across Aotearoa.
They’ve also opted not to go ahead with any of the recommendations of the 2023 Local Government Review, which aimed to improve Local Government and Local Government elections.
Wire Host Caeden spoke to Shane Henderson from Auckland Council about increasing speed limits in Auckland and the improvements Local Government still needs.
Auckland Council has announced $60,000 in funding to youth crime prevention group, Turn your life around. This is part of a broader plan of the Council to increase community safety.
Wire Host Caeden asks Councillor Shane Henderson about this funding, and also about what’s happening in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend for Matariki.
A lot has been happening in local government recently from Auckland Council discussing Congestion Charges to Wellington Council selling their Airport shares. National’s controversial Fast Track legislation may also impact local government’s control and capacity.
For City Counselling Wire Host Caeden talk about these topics with Councillor Shane Henderson.
In late May, Auckland council unveiled their Draft Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan. While the plan is due to be submitted at the start of August, Auckland residents can submit feedback until the 17th of June.
The plan goes over the council’s approach to funding and enacting policies to improve the city’s transport networks over the next decade, including the prioritisation of trains, buses, and cycleways over car based travel.
Additionally, later today the government is due to announce this year’s budget, which follows cuts to the regional fuel tax leaving a hole in council funding.
In our weekly catchup with Auckland Council, temporary Wire host Castor spoke to counsellor Shane Henderson about the Regional Land Transport Plan and the council’s hopes for the upcoming budget announcement.
Last week Auckland Council passed their hotly contested long-term plan, after huge debate and community engagement.
Councillor Lotu Fuli attempted to amend the plan to not include the sale of Council’s airport shares but was defeated. She also reached headlines for excluding the independent Māori voices on Council from voting on this amendment.
Wire Host Caeden asked Councillor Fuli about the long term plan, and the controversy surrounding her amendment for City Counselling. Here is that interview.
Weekly Palestine protests have taken place in Britomart since last October, and an action in support of Palestine with several hundred students took place at the University of Auckland last night.
For City Counselling this week, Wire Host Caeden asked Councillor Shane Henderson for his stance on the Palestine protests, as well as Council’s view more generally.
They also ask about the community impacts of half priced public transport for under 25s, which ended on May 1st.
A proposal to merge the Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Māngere-Ōtāhuhu local boards has been met with criticism, with consultation opening at the end of next month.
A new report has also been released on the quality of living in Tāmaki Makaurau with our city receiving mixed results by scoring high on some areas (the environment), and lower on others (education).
Wire Host Caeden speaks to Counsellor Lotu Fuli about both these topics for City Counselling.
For City Counselling this week, Wire host Caeden spoke with Counsellor Lotu Fuli about the early morning vandalisation of the Rainbow Crossing on Karangahape Road.
They also ask about the end of half-price fares for under 25s, and the relationship Wayne Brown, as well as Auckland Council more generally, has with Auckland Transport.
Yesterday the Western line was closed for some stops including between New Market and Britomart, while two Britomart stations remained closed due to KiwiRail maintenance issues. This won’t surprise commuters in Tāmaki Makaurau who are far too used to trains not running or turning up.
Caeden spoke to West Auckland based counsellor Shane Henderson about our public transport woes and the success of the cost-cutting budget. Here is that interview.
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