Last week we were challenged by Nick Lovett and Brendon Harre who analysed the dead spaces in the Central City and proposed an increase in rates for empty spaces which are currently car parks. Their proposal was that this additional rating amount be written off against the rates paid by … [Read more...]
Empowering our Community
There is a series of community building starting in August, on Hiroshima Day. We are keen to foster every opportunity for citizens of this City to upskill themselves on how to become more engaged. Community Building Blocks – Thursday 6 August, 10 am – 11.30 am. Free on line learning session … [Read more...]
Bringing Creatives onto Boards
On the back of co-authoring a white paper on the subject, Steven Moe explores how artists and poets can bring colour and creativity onto boards. The Covid-19 crisis has shown us that we need new paradigms of thinking. We have all been impacted by the pandemic which has challenged us to think and … [Read more...]
Let us think about migrants and their rights; our chance to lead as a country
In this article Patrick O’Connor argues that it is essential that we advocate for those who are migrants in this country. Every single person in New Zealand is descended from a migrant. We have a responsibility to remember our own tupuna. Where did they come from? What struggle did they have to get … [Read more...]
Gough Whitlam was an example of amazing leadership
A new book has been published by John Pilger about how Gough Whitlam the Australian Prime Minister between 1972 and 1975 was rolled as Prime Minister by forces, led by the CIA. Whitlam was an incredible reformer and led an inexperienced Labour team to achieve great things. The book is called “A … [Read more...]
Local leaders best understand their communities, and are answerable to them
Here, to complete these articles on USA, is one from the Washington Post on Friday: D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) on Friday formally renamed a street outside the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza” after ordering city crews to paint the message in gigantic yellow letters down … [Read more...]
Garry writes 2 June 2020
Each year since the early 2000’s there has been a survey by CCC of how the community is feeling about itself. When I sat at the Council table, we used it as the best independent review of the Council performance and how people were feeling about the City, other than elections. So, it was sad to read … [Read more...]
I had a chat with a guy in his workshop this week and he worried me
This self-employed guy runs his business and described himself as “right of centre”. A good man running a good business. He shared his views. Bits of the conversation warmed my heart about his concern for the community. Bits worried me. What worried me was his hindsight analysis of what the … [Read more...]
Garry 19 May 2020
Hasn’t this week been amazing. Instead of travelling overseas to catch up with old friends and family, this time we have just had to hop on our bikes and achieve the same thing. In our own City. It’s been so exciting, and scary. The lock-down gave me a chance to have a big think. The main doubt … [Read more...]
Pubs:
We were delighted when we found that on Thursday this week, we will be able to open Smash Palace. It has been a challenging time for us all and, we hope an outdoor bar, even in winter, will attract customers and we can start paying our expenses again. We have been saved by the Government’s … [Read more...]