Category: Blog News/Updates

Podcast Issues

Update

 

After feedback in relation to people unable to listen to the Podcasts as the audio files were the .OGG type, I have decided the following:

  1. All previous podcasts will remain in their .OGG audio file classes.
  2. All podcasts as of last night and into the future will be done in MP3 audio format

 

I apologise for those who are unable to access the older Podcasts that have the .OGG audio classes. That said I noticed those who were unable to run that audio type either were on Corporate Networks most likely still on Windows XP and/or their IT departments dont allow a decent media player to run .OGG’s for which Radio NZ uses for their audio files as well, or using Apple products.

I suppose with the corporate situation it shows again that New Zealand businesses AND the Public Sector are behind the 8-ball again for the most part. As with Apple products? Never had the time for it.

 

So again apologies readers. All future podcasts will be in the MP3 format for more universal accessibility.

 

Podcast Technical Issues

Will reconvert later today

 

Myself and Radio NZ's Todd Nial hard at work reporting on the Budget Committee Photo Reference: Councillor Cathy Casey
Myself and Radio NZ’s Todd Nial hard at work reporting on the Budget Committee
Photo Reference: Councillor Cathy Casey

I have received feedback that people are having difficulties accessing the podcasts owing to the .OGG format I use. Those using Apple (argh), older corporate based networks (don’t ask for my opinions on businesses and public sectors being inefficient) or older mobile devices are having access difficulties resulting in the podcast not playing.

 

What I will do is reconvert the podcasts back to MP3 format and reupload them to their respective blog posts.

I should have this all done by the end of tomorrow.

 

Talking Auckland apologises for earlier inconveniences

 

October ’14 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

What might seem to be a slow down for some blogs if I were to compare October’s stats to September’s stats (election not withstanding) Talkking Auckland shot up the rankings to 31st for the October month.

It has been a busy month with Auckland Development Committee presentations, Alternative Transport Funding Package announcements, and of course last week the Mayor releasing his preferred Rating policy for the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan.

And of course Talking Auckland is trying out pod casts around topical issues which seem to be going down a real treat for readers – well listeners now.

Talking Auckland thanks readers/listeners for their patronage and comments/feedback. Without you Talking Auckland wouldn’t be able to happen.

November should be a busy month with debate continuing around transport, housing, and Auckland Council finances before the Christmas/New Years break. After that we are right back in it with the consultation period for the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan due to go operative July 1 2015.

No rest for the weary – really

Ken's avatarOpen Parachute

grumpy-cat-blog

Image Credit: A Pretty Healthy Life


PLEASE NOTE: Sitemeter is still playing up but far fewer blogs are effected. I have done a manual work around but it was still impossible to get the stats for a the blogs that I list below. Maybe more bloggers will shift to StatCounter or other counter. No stats could be found for these blogs:

Works in progress
Social Media and the 2014 General Election
Sportsfreak
Science Behind the Curtain
Looking in the square
Rugby Tips
Save our schools NZ

There are now over 300 blogs on the list, although I am weeding out those which are no longer active or have removed public access to sitemeters. (Let me know if I weed out yours by mistake, or get your stats wrong). Every month I get queries from people wanting their own blog included. I encourage and am happy to respond to queries but have prepared a list of…

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Blog Update

Updates Irregular, also will be away

 

With me settling into my role as full-time stay at home dad with our 14 week old daughter, Talking Blog posts will be a bit scatty as I settle in to the domestic dad role and establish new routines. I still have a few posts and series in the pipeline that will trickle out over the next month so there is definitely no shortage of material.

I will also be away from Friday until next Tuesday joining up with the rest of the wider family for a reunion in Tauranga. Blog posts will be limited however, if Auckland Transport does send through the rest of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act requests in the duration I will do my best to get them up when possible.

 

Also thanks for your messages of support and encouragement yesterday after I filed my Resigned from The Party post yesterday. Needless to say it is refreshing to step back from Central Politics while it is in the state it is in. However, my involvement for Local Politics remains.

So again my thanks to you all.

 

Auckland Economic Performance Improving #1

Auckland Council “Investments” Performing Well

 

The Mayor delivered a speech this morning to the Greater East Tamaki Business Association on Auckland’s Economy improving and set to boom. I will be getting a post up on that speech later. In the mean time you might have seen in the media this morning Port of Auckland, and Precinct Properties posting their results.

From Auckland Council on those results:

Waterfront businesses leading the way in Auckland’s economic transformation 

A boost in profits for two key Auckland companies shows the economic potential that the central city and waterfront can offer Auckland, say Mayor Len Brown and Councillor Penny Webster chair of the Finance and Performance Committee. The pair welcomed the Ports of Auckland announcement today that its half-yearly net profit after tax is up 70 per cent. It comes the day after Precinct Properties announced a 67 per cent lift for the same period.  Len Brown said: “These results reinforce the opportunities we are seeing for transformative growth in Auckland’s economy. Ports of Auckland has taken great strides to increase its productivity and output over the past year, and as a result ratepayers will benefit from an interim dividend of $20.94m.

 

“Precinct Properties is a great example of the private sector keen to work with the council in the transformation of the city – bringing significant new investments and an enthusiasm to align their developments with the CRL.” 

Penny Webster said: “I’m very pleased with the Ports result on the back of the Auckland International Airport dividend. The interim dividend is nearly double last year’s, with steadily increasing freight volumes as POA has begun to see the benefits of its restructuring. ” 

Both welcomed Precinct Properties’ discussions with Waterfront Auckland to be potentially involved in Wynyard Central, a key element of the regeneration of Auckland’s downtown waterfront.

—–ends—-

 

That Auckland still has a way to go before its economic performance is where it should be.

 

Coming Up – Unitary Plan

More Information – and Some Rather Large Corrections

 

I have returned from a briefing on the Unitary Plan post February 28th. I will get a post up tomorrow on what came out of the briefing. This includes two corrections from my previous commentary on the Unitary Plan. The first correction on the term “Commissioners,” and the second correction on the Further Submission period due to start in May.

Talking Auckland does take care when providing facts. From time to time I get it wrong and will post corrections as soon as I am made aware of them.

 

Be tuned in for tomorrow – at Talking Auckland