All About Auckland

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I talk Transport and The Southern Initiative

 

It has been a busy week for me as I conduct some TV interviews over some hot button issues in Auckland.

On Tuesday I was with Transport Blog’s Patrick Reynolds talking Auckland’s Transport (and Auckland Transport as well) especially in light of the Day Passes now available and Auckland Transport facing budget reductions in light of the Long Term Plan rejection by Council. You can see Dr Levy’s reaction to the Budget situation here: All About Auckland Show Episode 23 – Dr Levy gives a lesson on Tectonic Budgeting. 

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Today I will be back at the studio talking about the Southern Initiative which has again become a hot button issue especially with the Councillors. Those who follow Talking Auckland know that in November last year I delivered a public critique against the Southern Initiative. In May this year the Councillors initially rejected more funding towards the Southern Initiative until a few issues were cleared up first. Now my critique against The Southern Initiative has not been against the Initiative itself nor its place in the Auckland Plan. My critique has been on lack of publicly available information and a portal like Facebook and Twitter so we can see and interact with the Initiative. For heavens sake The Southern Initiative affects all of South Auckland. It would be nice if we could see some clear information (that is not in job vacancy descriptions), a chance to interact on the Initiative like we can with Shape Auckland and the regular updates that we get with the City Centre (see A Story of Downtown Auckland [Updated] for the latest).

 

So where and when is this show?

It is here:

All About Auckland Show

Episode 24

SkyTV Channel 83 FACETV

Monday at 7.30pm – Repeats Tuesday 12.30pm

On This Week’s Show:

  • Special Housing Areas and Housing New Zealand
  • The 10 Year Budget Rebuild and Development Pressures in the South East

As for the Transportation chat:

Next Week

Transport Matters

A New Series looking at current transport issues around Auckland.

Next week Auckland Commentator Ben Ross and TransportBlog.co.nz Patrick Reynolds joins me in the studio.

 

 

I shall update you on the Southern Initiative shoot and when that will screen.

 

June ’14 – NZ blogs sitemeter ranking

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A good lift this month coming in at 41 on the rankings (up 7 from last two months) .

A big thank you to all the readers out there. Remember guest posts are welcome so flip me an email (see About page or leave a Tweet) and we shall see what we can arrange 🙂

Ken's avatarOpen Parachute

blogranks

There are now almost 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 frequently asked questions (FAQs) people can check out. Have a look at NZ Blog Rankings FAQ. This is particularly helpful to those wondering how to set up sitemeters.

Please note, the system is automatic and relies on blogs having sitemeters which allow public access to the stats.

Here are the rankings of New Zealand blogs with publicly available statistics for June 2014. Ranking is by visit numbers. I have listed the blogs in the table below, together with monthly visits and page…

View original post 1,718 more words

Auckland Council Chief Financial Officer Resigns

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CFO Resigns

 

From Auckland Council

Auckland Council CFO Resignation

Auckland Council has today confirmed Andrew McKenzie has resigned as Chief Financial Officer to take up a role with Fletcher Building.

Auckland Council CE Stephen Town says, “Andrew has made an outstanding contribution to the successful establishment of the Auckland Council and Group and we wish him all the best in his new role.”

Andrew will remain at council until 30 September to ensure a smooth transition for his successor following a comprehensive recruitment process.

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Sad to see Andrew go. I remember my first media briefing with Andrew over City finances. Not the most “sexy” stuff I can think of to blog on nor the easiest. But Andrew managed to keep us all awake and guide the briefing through making the complex simple.

All the best Andrew over in your new role at Fletchers.