Talking Auckland is the Conversation and Commentary arm of TotaRim Consultancy Limited.  

The blog itself started as VOAKL back in December 2011 before becoming BR:AKL last year and now Talking Auckland in 2013.

Running commentary and holding conversations has been the history of this blog and will continue well into the future. The only  noticeable change will be the layout change to Talking Auckland (and of course the name). As I said commentary and conversations on all things Auckland continue but, brought under the professional umbrella of TotaRim.

TotaRim Consultancy was founded in April 2013 by Ben and Rebekka Ross with the direct assistance of Andy Cawston. The firm’s main services is Urban and Transport Planning/Management, as well as advocacy services to civic institutions such as Auckland Council.

TotaRim’s first major engagement was with the Unitary Plan – recently closed off with the first round of feedback from Auckland. TotaRim and Ben was engaged with clients and residents from across the city in assisting them with Unitary Plan concerns and submissions. Ben through Talking Auckland also ran extensive balanced commentary from day one on the Unitary Plan. This commentary has gone noticed and picked up mentions ranging from the Deputy Mayor to Russell Brown at Public Address, to youth organisation Generation Zero. While the Unitary Plan has “died down” for now, Talking Auckland and TotaRim will be right back on the front lines when the Plan goes for formal notification at the end of the year.

The Unitary Plan is just one of many areas Talking Auckland and TotaRim cover. Auckland’s transport and Auckland Transport is another area “watched” and conversations engaged in through Talking Auckland and TotaRim. Rates and governance in Auckland another area also watched.

As things continue to evolve and change in Auckland so does the coverage in commentary provided.

Auckland is the home city of TotaRim and Talking Auckland. Despite Auckland’s apparent shortcomings it is a city we all love both physically and for its social and cultural diversity as well. TotaRim and Talking Auckland’s mission is be a part of progressing for a Better Auckland now and into the future.

So join us in the conversation as Auckland progresses forward here and now.

TotaRim Consultancy Limited
Bringing you Talking Auckland