Tag Archives: Local Government

ECan, the government and the ‘Picture of Dorian Gray’

It is hard to understand why it appears to have received so little attention or commentary nationwide (with some honourable exceptions). The extension of the rule of the ECAN Commissioners announced by David Carter (Local Government Minister) and Amy Adams … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Coming up for air in the New Jerusalem

The grand plan for New Zealand’s own ‘New Jerusalem’ has been revealed. The excited assurances that, indeed, the Promised Land has been glimpsed have been echoing around the media ( e.g., here, here, here, here, here and here) – fired in perfect sequence, like a 21 gun salute. … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Economics, Freedom, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

A rainy Christmas Day in Christchurch

Monday night last week was like Christmas Eve in Christchurch. As the evening darkened, the presents – carefully wrapped and prettily presented by the best PR Christmas wrappers CERA could buy – were lain beneath the brightly lit Christmas Tree … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, Freedom, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Under cover, under hand and under the radar – ‘all about sport’ in Christchurch

The Prime Minister, John Key, has come out in favour of a “world-class covered stadium” for Christchurch. At the time of writing, opinion on the accompanying stuff poll is split 52% in favour and 48% opposed (485 votes). It has … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

City in a box

It was meant to be the ‘City in a Park’. But, according to a Press editorial, a lot of people in Christchurch have taken a look at the future and they don’t like what they see: The artists’ impressions of … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Free Market, Human Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Disdaining democracy

All those years ago – you know, way back when John Key wasn’t the Prime Minister – the populace, so we found out, was getting restless. Its main complaint about the government of the day was that it was ‘off … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

California dreaming

If the future form of Christchurch’s central city now hangs in the balance, the outcome will depend upon the weightings given to two quite distinct sets of ‘instincts’ about how to create a vibrant, sustainable, thriving city centre. One set … Continue reading

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, Freedom, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses – Update

If confirmation were needed that “putting to one side” volume 2 of the Central City Plan is because the rules and regulations in them will be neutered, then here it is. Jo Kane on CTV’s ‘One on One‘ interview programme … Continue reading

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Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses

Allow me a Cassandra moment. Like the Trojans in the midst of a decades long war, living in Christchurch is, for many people, an experience with precious little long-term hope. Many people have, however, invested a good deal of hope … Continue reading

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Christchurch’s Second Coming

“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last Slouches toward [Christchurch] to be born?” The ground is now being prepared for the future incarnation of Christchurch. What comes our way will bear the marks and influences of the … Continue reading

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, Freedom, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments