Politics

Greater Wellington Regional Council responds to independent bus review

Bus, Council, Government, Hutt Valley, News, Politics, Porirua, Regions, Transport / By

Improvements in Wellington’s new bus services are “ongoing and sustained,” an independent review into implementation challenges of the Wellington City and Hutt Valley network has found. The review, prepared by Australia-based consultants L.E.K. and commissioned by the Regional Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency, describes the introduction of the new network as a complex …

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Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency names new chair and board member

Community, Council, Economy, Government, News, Politics / By

Experienced businesswoman and professional director Tracey Bridges has been named as the new chair of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WREDA).   A proud Wellingtonian who has lived and worked in the region for 27 years, Tracey is a professional director with experience leading and growing private businesses from start-up. A founding partner of …

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Education Minister declines Victoria University name change

Activism, Education, Government, News, Politics / By

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has declined Victoria University of Wellington Council’s application for a legal name change. Mr Hipkins didn’t think the university had sufficiently canvassed the opinions of stakeholders. The Council formally made an application to change the institution’s name to the University of Wellington on 27 September. While benefits from a name change had …

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Your high five events for Friday 30 November

Activism, Books, Dance, Film, Literature, News, Politics / By

This daily feature lists a selection of Wellington events today that are free or cost less than $20.00 (usually). You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. Poet, novelist and screen play editor Anne …

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Your high five events for Wednesday 28 November

Accessibility, Activism, Community, Events, History, Museums, News, Outdoors, Politics, Southern Suburbs / By

This daily feature lists a selection of Wellington events today that are free or cost less than $20.00 (usually). You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. Public Share collective is celebrating the anniversary …

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Labour runs full team for 2019 local body elections

Council, News, Politics / By

Justin Lester is hoping for a second term as Wellington Mayor, leading a full team running for Wellington City Council in next year’s local body elections. Labour announced its candidates on Sunday, the first such announcement for the local elections to be held on 12 October 2019. All current Labour councillors – Brian Dawson (Lambton …

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Guilford’s call for voluntary redundancies gobsmacks VUW staff

Education, News, Politics / By

The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has asked the Vice-Chancellor of the Victoria University of Wellington, Grant Guilford, to be clear about his plans for the future of the university, after all staff were sent an email on Tuesday inviting them to apply for voluntary redundancy. The email from Professor Guilford (pictured above) advised staff members …

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Dame Annette King heading to Canberra

Eastern Suburbs, Government, News, Politics / By

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointment of Dame Annette King as High Commissioner to Australia. The former Rongotai MP was Parliament’s longest serving female MP, with 30 years’ service, from 1996 to 2017. She held a number of senior Cabinet portfolios in the fifth Labour Government, including Justice, Police and Health, and …

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Remember Kristallnacht, fight fascism, embrace hope and violins

Activism, Events, History, Music, News, Opinion, Politics, World / By

On the anniversary of Kristallnacht, it’s time to look back 80 years and ask: who makes the Nazis? Then look forward with hope and music. By Mark Cubey Smashed windows of a Jewish business in Germany after Kristallnacht, 1938 In case you were wondering, it’s fine after the events of the last 12 months to call …

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Your high five events for Friday 2 November

Activism, Events, History, Music, News, Politics, Talks / By

This daily feature lists a selection of Wellington events accessible today for $20.00 or less. You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. Come and hear two inspiring speakers – Chlöe Swarbrick MP and …

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Troubled bus network: process was correct, officials say

Council, News, Politics, Transport / By

The Greater Wellington Regional Council says it wouldn’t have done anything differently in its implementation of the city’s problematic new bus services, but is committing to fixing it in eight weeks’ time. Story from RNZ by political reporter Gia Garrick @giaisonline [email protected] Politicians have been inundated with complaints over Wellington’s troubled bus network. Photo by RNZ / …

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Auditor-General writes open letter to GWRC on public’s bus concerns

Council, News, Politics, Transport / By

The Office of the Auditor-General has written to the Greater Wellington Regional Council after receiving correspondence from the public requesting an investigation into the new bus network and services. John Ryan, who runs the Office of Controller and Auditor-General, the independent organisation that audits public entities, has published the letter to GWRC chair Chris Laidlaw …

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Your high five events for Wednesday 26 September

Activism, Arts, Books, Events, News, Politics, Talks, Transport / By

The annual Spring Festival continues with the Graves of Note free guided walk at Karori Cemetery (meet at the Main Chapel on Rosehaugh Ave from 10:30am), then there are five great free events this evening – all, sadly, on at around the same time. How to choose? Mahuki, Te Papa’s innovation hub empowering communities to …

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Core transport problems remain as urgent bus review promised

Council, News, Politics, Transport / By

Yesterday’s meeting of the Sustainable Transport Committee of the Greater Wellington Regional Council agreed to commission an independent review of what has gone wrong with the region’s new public transport system. But problems with core assumptions around the system remain, and the refusal of transport operators to negotiate with the drivers’ union remains the elephant …

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GWRC transport woes to be discussed this morning

Council, News, Politics, Transport / By

The Greater Wellington Regional Council’s transport committee is putting a positive spin on the city’s transport woes, while the Wellington City Council decides how to allocate nearly half a million dollars in grants. by Mark Cubey This morning’s monthly meeting of the Sustainable Transport Committee of the Greater Wellington Regional Council will address Wellington’s transport …

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Government to dissolve tertiary institute Council

Council, Education, News, Politics, Transport / By

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has made a preliminary decision to appoint a Commissioner to troubled tertiary institutions Whitireia and WelTec in a move to address the financial woes of the two polytechnics. Te Auaha, the Institute of Creativity opened this year by Whitireia and WelTec. Minister Hipkins said today that following consultation and consideration of submissions, …

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Your high five events for Monday 17 September

Events, Film, News, Politics, Sports, Theatre / By

As advised on the App last week, the 2018 New Zealand Secondary School Swimming Championships finish today at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre and the 2018 Ford National Hockey League continues at the National Hockey Stadium, Mt Albert Road, Newtown, until Sunday. Plus it’s Conservation Week. But wait, there’s more… Wellington City Council is working …

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Teachers to rally at Parliament in support of strike

Education, News, Politics / By

Wellington primary teachers, principals and supporters will be gathering at Westpac Stadium at 11:00am today in support of the first strike by teachers in 24 years. The rally will be followed by a march along the concourse to Parliament for a rally starting at midday. Around 29,000 primary teachers, principals and supporters are taking to …

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Full day of strike action for primary teachers and principals

Education, News, Politics / By

Wellington primary teachers and principals will join a nationwide day of strike action on Wednesday 15 August. A clear majority of teachers and principals voted through their member groups for a full day’s action, according to the teachers’ union, the  New Zealand Educational Institute. The NZEI has been asking for improved working conditions and a …

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LINEMEN signs will change to LINE CREW after request from seven-year-old

News, Politics, Transport / By

A letter to the NZTA from seven-year-old Hutt Valley girl Zoe Carew has led to the agency moving to replace “linemen” signs with a revised “line crew” wording. In the letter to Fergus Gammie, chief executive of the New Zealand Transport Agency, Zoe Carew explained how while being driven by her father to visit her grandparents …

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TOP hasn’t topped itself – yet

News, Politics / By

Wellington philanthropist Gareth Morgan announced over the weekend that The Opportunities Party (TOP) may continue, despite a statement on 9 July that the party would be deregistered. TOP, which Morgan founded to contest the last election, failed to clear the 5 per cent threshold in November for a seat in Parliament. In a post on …

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New home care services need stability and certainty, say unions

Health, News, Politics / By

Planned changes to the contracting of service providers in the Wellington region by local District Health Boards must include stability and certainty for home care workers and their client, according to the PSA and E tū unions. Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels The Capital and Coast DHB and Hutt Valley DHB are dumping their …

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A busy day of activism on Thursday 26 July

Events, News, Politics / By

A protest on the farrowing of sows takes place at lunchtime tomorrow, with talks on fresh water quality and the housing crisis in the evening, and a Plastic Free Resistance Party going into the night. Princess Buttercup talks to RNZ. In March, New Zealand’s leading animal advocacy organisation SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) gave Parliament …

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Region’s mayors support new government plan for transport

Council, News, Politics, Transport / By

The mayors of Wellington, Lower Hutt and Porirua have all welcomed the new 10-year plan for transport from Government which promises to unlock record investment in the roads, rail and public transport. Minister of Transport Phil Twyford announced the Government Policy Statement (GPS) 2018 on Land Transport today. It increases investment from $3.6 billion in …

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13 a lucky number for Wellington communities

Arts, Council, Ecology, News, Politics, Sports / By

The community work of 13 locals has proved lucky for many Wellingtonians who’ve benefited from their labours. Contributions to the city’s ethnic, marginalised, arts, sports, conservation and education communities were recognised last night when Mayor Justin Lester presented Absolutely Positive Wellingtonian award certificates to 13 recipients at an event at City Gallery Wellington. “These awards …

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Court-martialled whistle-blower to visit Wellington

News, Politics / By

American activist, politician, former US Army soldier and court-martialled whistle-blower Chelsea Manning will visit New Zealand for the first time later this year. Chelsea Manning. Photo by Tim Henning Chelsea Manning will not have to worry about political campaigning when she visits Wellington and Auckland in September. The aspiring politician lost her Senate bid yesterday …

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What are fair borders for New Zealand?

News, Politics, World / By

A discussion on migration tonight (Thursday 28 June) will explore how New Zealand’s borders impact on citizens, recent immigrants, and people who aren’t permitted to set foot on this land. Auckland academic David Hall (pictured), editor of last year’s BWB Text Fair Borders?, will lead the discussion with contributors Andrew Chen, Arama Rataand and Evelyn Marsters. It is part …

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