Congratulations to Sudhvir

 

On making the list of Finalists for The New Zealand Herald‘s New Zealander of  the Year – 2013

 

While I was expecting some drivel from a particular journalist over a particular matter I found first up something both heart warming and worthy of praise:

From the NZ Herald:

New Zealander of the year finalist 2013: Dr Sudhvir Singh

By Nicholas Jones 5:30 AM Thursday Dec 12, 2013

This week, we’re profiling the 10 finalists for the Herald‘s New Zealander of the Year, and they’re all aged under 30

 

Dr Sudhvir Singh is the Auckland director for Generation Zero, a group of mostly young professionals promoting solutions to climate change through transport, energy and liveable cities.

Maintaining political momentum on an issue like climate change can be hard, public interest often glazing over at the frequent debate on emission targets and empty rhetoric.

But a young Auckland doctor and other activists are gaining real attention – and causing a few politicians to look over their shoulders – by focusing on specifics and possible solutions.

Dr Sudhvir Singh, 26, is the Auckland director for Generation Zero, a group of mostly young professionals promoting solutions to climate change through transport, energy and liveable cities.

Many Aucklanders will have seen the London Underground-style posters outlining the group’s transport vision, with rail, bus, light-rail and ferry routes stretching out through the Super City by 2030.

…

Hmm I can’t credit the photo as the Herald left no “credit source” at its article over on its site.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11171053

The Congestion Free Network can be found here: http://transportblog.co.nz/our-proposals/congestion-free-network/

 

 

Credit and praise is due where it is due and Sudhvir Singh is worthy of that credit and praise. As noted in the Herald and as I have seen this year Sud’s and the gang at Generation Zero (as well as Transport Blog) led from the front this year in the Auckland Local Elections with the Congestion Free Network.

 

In the recent Infrastructure Committee The Congestion Free Network got mentioned specifically three times in the debate amongst the Councillors. At the Auckland Development Committee it also got mentioned specifically three times (twice by me in reference to pushing a 21st Century Auckland and Manukau) and again by the Councillors in the debate.

The CFN has gained traction and our progressive Civic Leaders have picked up the ball and are now running with it. Okay Auckland Transport is going to drag the chain on this but the main Council is continuing to push the CFN forward as we prepare to “develop” the 2015 Integrated Transport Program.

 

2014 is going to a big year for Auckland as we continue to progress and march right out of the 1950’s and into the 21st Century. We have Gen-0 and Transport Blog leading from the front with Transport and having the ear and respect of the Council. We also have myself pushing hard with the Unitary Plan and Manukau which also has the ear of the Council. So two projects running in parallel been driven by the youth of the city (yes that includes you too Patrick 😉 ) out of love and passion for wanting a Better Auckland – a Better Home. Admittedly though this will not be easy as the 1950’s brigade (mentioning no names) will resist and push back with everything that they have (and as we saw in August with the final deliberations of the Unitary Plan). But this can be overcome – you just need to be in the long game for it.

 

So again congratulations to Sud’s for his NZ Herald New Zealander of the Year Finalist gong. Well deserved – very well deserved.