The debates in the past few weeks leading up to the local elections have been deeply superficial. It frustrates me hearing the mayor just going on and on about road humps and cycleways. Sara Templeton has refuted his stupid comments on many topics including this, but he got the headline. As a … [Read more...]
Cycle Helmets
Garry makes the case for cycle helmets... One morning I received a call from my wife saying she had fallen off her bike and could I come and collect her and take her to her meeting. I drove around to Edgeware following an ambulance and thought “I think this might be for Pam”. I was 100% … [Read more...]
Mary Richardson
When a new Council is sworn in one of their early decisions will be how to address how to appoint a new CE. Recent CE appointments have not showered the Council in honours. It was only when Mary Richardson stepped up to fill the role for a short period that the council started to settle … [Read more...]
The Coronation of the Maori Queen
I found myself really excited reading the first speech by the young Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono I te po at her koroneihana. In her first royal address since becoming head of the Kiingitanga movement, she told listeners that being Māori was not defined by having an enemy or a … [Read more...]
Homelessness in Christchurch winter 2025
Recently the mayor called a meeting of people either involved or concerned about homelessness in Christchurch. There is no simple answer to homelessness as where we are at has taken a long time to develop. There has been considerable public discussion around NZ about homelessness... Before … [Read more...]
Linking Christchurch and its Region
This opinion promotes a stepwise solution to an enduring problem. For some time pre earthquakes, free electric shuttle buses plied limited services within the central city. They have never been reinstated, plagued by arguments between the City Council and Regional Council as to how they might be … [Read more...]
Garry’s thoughts on The Local Body Elections
This year it’s the first time in 47 years I haven’t been involved in a local body election campaign. For years I was just a helper and door knocker for candidates, then as a candidate, then involved behind the scenes with people’s campaigns. Now I’m not. There are some candidates I support this … [Read more...]
Meet some of our New Council Candidates
Tuesday Club on Wednesday 10 September 5pm for 5.30 startBack room at Smash Palace It will be livestreamed on Facebook from 5.30 Hear from three new candidates for Christchurch City Council all standing with The Peoples Choice - Garry will interview them about why they are standing, and what … [Read more...]
Open Letter to Israel Foreign Minister Sa’ar
H.E. Gideon Sa’ar Foreign Minister Government of Israel August 9, 2025 Dear Mr. Minister, I write to you following your speech at the United Nations Security Council on August 5. I attended the session but did not have the chance to speak with you following the session. I want to share my … [Read more...]
Local Government being slammed by Central Government (again!)
It saddens me when Local Government (LG) is hammered publicly by Central Government (CG). Over the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference held in Christchurch last week (and, again let me object to Christchurch City Council resigning from LGNZ that was a dumb, no stupid, decision which should be … [Read more...]