Currently Browsing: Auckland City
Victoria Park Tunnel Work Gets Busy Behind The Trees – Photos
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Victoria Park tunnelMar 10th, 2010 | 1 Comment
The Victoria Park tunnel project is now looking serious with trucks, cranes and interesting pieces of equipment lurking behind the wooden walls shielding the construction from the park goers. It’s taking more of the park, the church over the road and the Bird Cage is getting prepared for its move.
It’s fascinating to watch all the activity in the shadow of one of the most busiest stretches of Auckland motorway.
Here’s how the work looks today:
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Victoria Park Tunnel Work Gets Busy Behind The Trees – Photos", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/03/10/victoria-park-tunnel-work-gets-busy-behind-the-trees-photos/"...
Sorry Grafton Gully Motorway Saga Re-Visited
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 8th, 2010 | 5 Comments
Thank goodness Auckland City Councillor Graeme Easte is again trying to get some action on the appalling never-ending situation in which Wellesley St East was extended under Symonds St and across to Grafton Rd, without providing any safe access to the Domain for pedestrians and cyclists.
Tourists especially get confused when they head that way to the Domain, only to encounter a motorway.
It’s been that way for seven years or more and the delays in trying to get things changed is getting ridiculous.
Councillor Easte is taking to the city council’s transport committee on Thursday, a motion for...
Cute Words, So Why the Cuts?
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 8th, 2010 | 1 CommentAuckland City’s released its draft annual plan and is estimating 65 million trips will be taken on public transport between this coming July and July next year.
The plan is full of sustainable type buzz words about how committed it is to transport but does the budget actually match the words?
The plans goes over the top with its fashionable buzz words about how committed it is to providing us with wonderful transport options….
“a range of options for getting around the city, whether by bus, rail, ferry, bicycle, foot or car, and that it is easy, safe, convenient and affordable to do so….
In...
Why Vector Arena Needs A Train Stop
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 7th, 2010 | 19 Comments
What’s the feasibility of creating a train stop around the Vector Arena for concert nights?
The Western Line trains go right by but then head into the tunnel, requiring a 10 minute or so walk from Britomart itself for those who come into town for a concert on that line.
On Friday night, at Britomart, a distressed couple in their 60s approached me, asking if I might be able to help them.
They looked so upset, I thought they had been mugged.
They were going to the Vector concert featuring the Doobie Brothers guy and Boz Scaggs.
It was their first trip to the city on train at night and they...
Why the Road Works?
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 6th, 2010 | 5 Comments
The slow trip through Jervois Rd
It continues to be a slow car journey and bus crawl around parts of Auckland.
I’m sure it’s only going to get worse as the Victoria Park tunnel project really kicks in.
It’s the price of progress – as we know from the slow journeys on the trains at the moment.
But couldn’t some projects do better at explaining to frustrated motorists in hot cars what’s going on.
The busy Jervois Rd continues to be a painful journey, even at weekends, because of major pipeline works reducing lanes.
But certainly hitting it from the Herne Bay...
What’s Wrong With Creating An Interesting Waterfront?
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 4th, 2010 | 24 Comments
I can’t understand the apparent growing criticism in the media of the innovative new ASB building , that will be the first major tenant for a revitalised Wynyard Quarter (formerly known as Tank Farm).
The 6,800 square metre site for the development is at the corner of Jellicoe and Halsey Streets.
Kiwi Income Property Trust has entered into a conditional development agreement with ASB to develop the new head office premises – the total development budget is $121 million and the concept building symbolises Auckland’s volcano.
Concept for ASB's new waterfront HQ
I like it.
We so...
Public Anger At Queen Mary 2 Viewing Ban
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 4th, 2010 | 10 Comments
Anger spilled over along Auckland’s Waterfront Drive tonight as dozens of Aucklanders and out of town visitors got frustrated at the inability to get a close up view of the Queen Mary 2, as she was about to depart.
In fact, it’s a long time since I have heard such angry words from nice respectable looking adults -and quite rightly too.
If ever there was a day when Queens Wharf or any wharf should have been open under strict security so people could go on it, today was that day.
There was nowhere along the waterfront where people could get any sort of decent close- up look at the superliner,...
Auckland City Learns Lessons from AKT Parking Scam Expose
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 3rd, 2010 | No Comments
Back in October, I exposed a disgraceful Auckland city parking towaway scam.
People supporting a local Sandringham Rd cafe, just along from Eden Park, came out one Saturday afternoon to find to their amazement their cars gone.
Without warning, their cars had been towed away in one speedy military style swoop while they were eating brunch or ordering coffee. The reason was of a towaway zone imposed near Eden Park because of a Sunday afternoon game. The council hadn’t even popped their head into the cafe to warn them.
It was even more scandalous.
The motorists bitterly complained that when...
Queen Mary 2 Here Tomorrow Morning
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityMar 3rd, 2010 | 1 CommentIf you’re into big boats as well as big trains…. The Queen Mary 2 arrives tomorrow morning on the Auckland waterfront.
It’s the third time the large luxury transatlantic cruise ship has come.
If you want to see the arrival, the ship will arrive alongside Jellicoe wharf about 6:30am. From about 5.15am, you’ll be able to spot her from the North Shore as she rounds Rangitoto.
Other suggested spots from 5.30am are the usual North Shore spots like Mt Vic, North head and Devonport wharf and East Coast Bay beaches.,the walkway alongside Fergusson container terminal, Fred Ambler lookout in Parnell.
The...
Video -Interesting Visitor from Gwangju In Queen St
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, GeneralMar 3rd, 2010 | No Comments
Nothing like a visitor from Gwangju to liven up Queen St at lunchtime today. I wonder if he was taking a lunch break from making a submission to the parliamentary committee considering the super-city local government act?
Or can the NZRU hire him for the RWC haka?
At every pedestrian crossing he marched across the road to declare the Devil is here in Auckland.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Video -Interesting Visitor from Gwangju In Queen St", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/03/03/video-interesting-visitor-from-gwangju-in-queen-st/" });
New ASB HQ To Kick Start Tank Farm Re-Birth
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 26th, 2010 | 6 Comments
The prime minister this afternoon officiated at the turning of the first sod on Tank Farm, Wynyard Quarter.
This marks the transformation of the industrial area into a new inner city waterfront suburb.
The ASB has announced it will locate its new headquarters there to help kick start the area.
The 6,800 square metre site for the development is at the corner of Jellicoe and Halsey Streets.
Kiwi Income Property Trust has entered into a conditional development agreement with ASB to develop the new head office premises – the total development budget is $121 million .
Construction will start...
Mike Lee Gets Govt Thumbs Up In Queens Wharf Decision
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Queens Wharf, Rugby World Cup 2011Feb 26th, 2010 | 6 Comments
ARC’s Mike Lee emerges as the winner in today’s Government announcement that Queens Wharf is to be turned into an unspecified ‘party central’ for the Rugby World Cup from April – and a cruise terminal will be built there after the event is over.
The Government and ARC will create some form of low budget”party central” without the Auckland council because of last week’s opposition.
The ARC chairman was a lone voice among local body leaders in his strong push for a cruise ship terminal for the RWC – a proposal rejected at this stage at the Auckland Mayoral Forum.
That...
Auckland Lantern Festival To Get Switched On By Prime Minister – Photos
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 25th, 2010 | 1 Comment
While wandering around Sandringham yesterday, a resident who knew it from the 1950’s told me back then it was “white white white and very boring.”
He said he was thrilled it was so diverse now with a range of different immigrants bringing their own colourful culture to businesses and activity in the village.
That’s one of the pluses of Auckland in recent times.
And the annual Auckland Lantern Festival in Albert Park, marking the end of the two-week Chinese New Year, is an excellent example of how that rich diverse culture of our city brings good things for everyone.
I...
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Gets Birthday Present
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 25th, 2010 | No Comments
Great conservation news. Auckland’s treasure, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is getting bigger.
It’s 10 years old this weekend and the government has announced that new parks and private land are to be added.
The new additions feature over 300 parcels of land in Waitakere City Council coastal parks and reserves bordering the Waitemata Harbour, from Whenuapai in the north to Kelston in the south east.
Forest and Bird have also signalled they wish to have three of their reserves on Waiheke Island vested into the park.
The marine park consists of 1.2 million hectares including marine reserves and...
Balmoral, Sandringham Added To Council Watch List
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, BalmoralFeb 25th, 2010 | 1 Comment
Good to see Auckland City, at its council meeting tonight, will thankfully add the old townships of Balmoral and Sandringham to the list of areas needing preservation.
You only have to look around any part of the inner city to see the appalling vandalism that has been done to historic parts – and how the interesting buildings that give a place character get altered beyond recognition or have been allowed to be demolished.
The council had already identified the town centres of Eden Valley (Dominion Rd),Ellerslie, Grey Lynn (Surrey Cres) , Kingsland, Upper Symonds Street and West Lynn(Richmond...
Auckland Will Have 38% Of NZ’s Population in 2031
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 24th, 2010 | 10 Comments
There is no excuse for not planning for some speedy improvements to Auckland’s transport needs.
Statistics NZ today predicted that 38% of the country’s population will be living in Auckland in 2031, compared with 33 percent in 2006.
Natural increase (births minus deaths) is projected to account for almost two-thirds of the population growth, with the remainder due to net migration gains.
Of New Zealand’s 73 territorial authority areas, 44 are projected to have more people in 2031 than in 2006. However, population growth will generally slow over the projection period because of the narrowing...
Mt Smart Supertop Auctioned, No Tears
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 23rd, 2010 | 4 Comments
What is arguably Auckland’s worst ever music venue is being auctioned tomorrow morning and I’d be surprised if anyone gets nostalgic abut it.
Turners Auctions is selling the dreadful tent known as the Mt Smart Supertop and known appropriately as The Boiler Room at the Big Day Out.
Supertop |Turners
The tent, 130 metres long, 57 metres wide and 15 metres tall at its highest point, could hold 13,000 for music events.
It’s being sold without reserve, although the auction place is talking of it having a replacement value of at least a million dollars.
The Supertop’s current owner,...
Concern Over Future Of Waitakeres
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 23rd, 2010 | 1 CommentIt’s inevitable there will be some conspiracy theories floating around over the new super-city and some concern the Waitakere Ranges. Is there really a worry they will governed by Wellington?
I hope the government clears it up quickly as the voices are getting louder.
West Auckland groups rang the alarm bells about the future of the Waitakere Ranges at today’s Auckland Governance Select Committee hearing public submissions on the third super city bill.
The Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and West Auckland lawyer Greg Presland challenged the Government’s line that the Bill poses no...
New Poll: Banks & Brown 50% each
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 22nd, 2010 | 6 Comments
The Auckland super-city mayoralty race could be quite a battle between John Banks and present Manukau mayor Len Brown.
A poll, released by Curia (which does polling for the Nats) has them at exactly 50% neck and neck, which is considered quite unusual. The poll was conducted last week.
Here were the questions.
If an election was held today for Mayor of the new Auckland Supercity, which Aucklander would you most like to be Mayor?
John Banks 42.5%
Len Brown 38.1%
Bob Harvey 7.2%
Stephen Tindall 4.8%
Others 3.2%
Paul Holmes 1.4%
Mike Lee 1.3%
Michael Barnett 1.3%
Andrew Williams 0.4%
These are...
Mayors Reject $97m Queens Wharf Plan (Updated)
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Queens WharfFeb 19th, 2010 | 6 Comments
Auckland’s mayor John Banks has announced to a news conference this afternoon that the city’s mayors’ (plural) forum has agreed not to rush into the government’s suggested $97m cruise ship terminal for Queens Wharf.
The mayors attended their collective Auckland mayoral forum this morning and decided instead to work on a longer term vision for the waterfront.
They also agreed to help out the Eden Park Trust Board in its financial crisis by underwriting the $40-odd million needed to get Eden Park development finished in time for next year’s RWC.
But the debate hasn’t...
Tourism Industry Predicts Auckland Airport “Light Rail”
Posted by Jon C in Auckland Airport, Auckland CityFeb 19th, 2010 | 13 CommentsThe tourism industry association is predicting a light rail service between Auckland airport and Downtown Auckland will happen, thanks to the new Auckland super-city operating from November.
In its submission to the government on the relevant legislation, the association says the formation may see a number of major tourism related infrastructure projects come to fruition.
It predicts a national convention centre, a light rail service between the airport and downtown, and upgraded port facilities to cater for cruise ship passengers.
The submission also warns that the job of transforming Auckland...
Auckland City Rearranges Outdoor Dining Deck Chairs
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 17th, 2010 | 5 Comments
The charm of outdoor dining or drinking in public hasn’t always been seen as such by officials.
I’ve lost count of the number of times some of my favourite spots have moaned that the council has been getting tougher on seating for customers outside.
And to be fair, there are times it’s hard to wade through diners when you’re walking the pavements where some restaurants and cafes are grouped together in close proximity.
Auckland City has now decided on a new system for businesses who operate outdoor dining facilities serving food and/or drinks on public spaces.
The council...
Waitakere City Council Concerned About Transport Auckland
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, Transport Auckland, auckland transport agencyFeb 17th, 2010 | No Comments
The Waitakere City Council has joined the chorus of concern about the government bill setting up the all-powerful new Transport Auckland body and regulating other parts of the new super-city system.
The council’s submission says of particular concern in the bill is “the way all transport activities are being corporatised and removed from the council’s control.”
Waitakere Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says the council opposes the extent that council activities are being placed at arms length from democratically elected and accountable council members.
The bill establishes CCOs which would be...
Auckland City To Spend $455,000 On Tamaki Drive Improvements
Posted by Jon C in Auckland City, cyclingFeb 17th, 2010 | 6 CommentsAuckland City Council today committed up to $455,000 to fund road safety improvements along Tamaki Drive.
$330,000 of the funding will be used to widen lane widths along 2.3 kilometres of Tamaki Drive where pinch points exist between cyclists, motorists and parked cars.
These specific parts of Tamaki Dr are Atkin Avenue to Kelly Tarlton’s, Kohimarama Rd to Marua Crescent, and Auckland Road to Sage Rd.
The remaining funds will finance new speed indicator signs, the introduction of some peak-period clearways and adjusted lane markings. Finance and Strategy Committee chair Douglas Armstrong says...
Bike Is “Fastest” Transport (Updated)
Posted by Jon C in Auckland CityFeb 17th, 2010 | 1 CommentThe results are in.
This morning at rushhour in Auckland, cyclists, car drivers and bus users raced from four directions of the city to the Auckland Viaduct.
The Urgent Couriers- sponsored race was to answer the question: Which mode of transport will get Aucklanders to work the quickest?
And the bikes were a clear winner. Again.
Except for the Shore – the bus won as the bike was help up on the ferry.
Historically cyclists have proved to be the quickest from all areas except from Birkenhead because the cyclist was slowed down by the ferry ride.
This year’s race -the third- started...
About
I began this as a diary about catching an Auckland train & to create an online record of rail & motorway development. Now it's called AKT as it covers news & views from rail to motorways, the Auckland harbour crossing debate & cycle trails.
More in the About section including copyright details.
Follow AKT on Twitter or Youtube and this site is iPhone friendly.
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND