politics
🛢️I wrote this before the war in Iran. Holds up even more now, I think. The country is facing a challenge: if it doesn’t rain enough, our power prices go through the roof in winter. A solution is needed to the dry-year problem. There are many options on the
politics
2025 was a big year in New Zealand’s climate space. There have been good news stories, like the growing number of renewable energy projects in New Zealand. Solar farms, wind farms, and hydro projects are on track to grow our clean energy supply so we can electrify everything and
politics
Local elections have begun! On Wednesdays we wear pink, and from now until 11 October, we vote. Voting should be as simple as sitting down with a hot drink and ranking the people vying for power. It can be daunting, though. Especially if you don't know what people
politics
“Petrol prices soar” is a surefire way to catch our attention. What if it lost its power over us?
politics
The Government has received an early warning signal to improve its pollution plan. Will they keep their promise to cut pollution?
politics
Democracy fundamentally isn't about whether my team wins. It's about having a fair shot for everyone who is affected by the Government to have a say.
politics
Guess what’s getting cut? Bus lanes, bike lanes, city centre improvements, and footpath improvements. In other words, all the shit that gets people off petrol and into cheap, climate friendly transport.
politics
Instead of getting a lump of coal for Christmas, New Zealand’s climate community is getting a sleigh-load of interesting reports. One document nestled under the tree is from the Climate Change Commission: it’s their recommendation to strengthen our climate goals. This gargantuan PDF is fascinating to nerds like
politics
Elections have been about government’s capacity to build for a long time. Before she became PM, Jacinda Ardern grilled Bill English about his Government’s inability to deliver Auckland light rail until the 2040s. She said: If light rail is "a good idea", as he said on
transport
Aotearoa has a stunning railway history. As a country, we built an astonishing 2000km of track within a decade. Yet, mismanagement, policy, and neglect in the 20th Century drove us to cars and trucks. In this final part of my series on rail, I want to explore what is possible
transport
When you travel across Aotearoa, have you noticed the train tracks everywhere? My hometown, Whanganui, has rail weaving through town. It even has a dedicated train bridge in Aramoho. Rail runs along the far north and the deep south. A century ago, people travelled towns and cities by train. Now
energy
Our power bills are too expensive. Why? Because we haven’t got enough power plants to make all the power we need. It is a dry year, meaning that our dams are running low on water. When there’s less water, we can’t make as much electricity. Demand has