Last week it was found that a small amount of exclusively ‘Made in New Zealand’ fashion brands had pieces of their collections that were not exclusively made in New Zealand.
According to the article WORLD were selling T-shirts that had a WORLD swing tag attached to it stating ‘Fabrique en Nouvelle Zelande’ or ‘made in New Zealand’. Read more
I am, of course, talking about the definitive decision to implement an Auckland fuel tax or Regional fuel tax. This will be implemented as early as July 1. With legislation currently moving through government to allow this to happen as well as an almost unanimous yes vote from Auckland councillors to pass the tax, the train is full steam ahead.
Following a recent Spinoff article demanding better hospitality outcomes for West Auckland communities, the West Auckland Liquor Trusts are back in the spotlight. Since the first article the story has been discussed on TV 3’s The Project and a follow up article has been published in The Spinoff. This peaked our interest because along with resource consents we also dabble in liquor licensing.
This Auckland Council rant article was originally published in THE HOBSON, Issue 45, January/ February 2018. THE HOBSON is a community magazine servicing Remuera, Parnell and Orakei.
I have decided once and for all, the bureaucracy that is Auckland Council is essentially incompetent and we should secede from the Super City and become the Borough of Mt Hobson. Not because the Auckland ‘regionwide’ concept is not a good one, not because we are concerned about rates, but because the Council is generally incompetent and it becomes more and more apparent as time goes by. In short, we are not getting value for money, and less so as we each pay more than twice the average rates of an Auckland region dwelling. Read more
Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 Councils are able to create a local alcohol policy. Each area of New Zealand can create their own set up sub-rules that are specific to their community. Created in consultation with their community. The purpose of the policy is to encourage the responsible sale, supply and consumption of alcohol and to reduce alcohol-related harm.
Once a local alcohol policy is in place, licencing authorities must consider it when making decisions about applications. While it’s optional to put in place, it does give local authority the power to address alcohol issues within their own communities. Something that the SASOA 2012 wouldn’t necessarily be specific enough to do. It also allows people living in these areas to have a say over how alcohol can be sold and supplied in their own neighbourhoods. For example, had Wellington had a LAP like ours this spat between a local business owner seeking a liquor licence and the Salvation Army would not be happening. Read more
We’re posting something a little different this month. Rather than listening to any rants of mine (stand-by because one is coming) here is a millennials perspective on a sulking newspaper article and how the world looks to be changing.
Bella has been with us for around 18 months, she’s probably the first person you will see if you ever visit us. Have a read and please send in any feedback! We love it.
A Christchurch woman has been told she needs to move her house to accommodate five new two-storey townhouses. A loose sound bite which has made for a fantastic headline. She is in absolute despair because her classic kiwi home considerably set back from the road, probably also with a beautiful private back yard, is being dwarfed and cramped by new higher density homes. It’s so cramped the contractors were regularly on her property doing work for next door, until she banned them.
Russell Bartlett QC is the second candidate in our “Interviewing the Greats” series. Russell specialises in Resource Management Law, representing clients in Council hearings and through the Judicial and Court system. He is very successful and rarely, if ever, loses a case.
Until very recently, there hasn’t been any serious reward for converting your cross-lease title to a fee simple title. Sure, your property would have sold for more or you wouldn’t have to deal with your fellow land owner. But for the most part, it probably seemed easier to just leave it alone. We’re here to tell you that it may no longer be the best option to just leave it as a cross-lease! I know we keep banging on about it, but under the Auckland Unitary Plan (AUP) the potential for development has significantly increase all over Auckland.
We’re pleased to present the first in a series of “Interviewing the Greats”. The first candidate is Clinton Bird, a long time Parnell resident and an expert in all things urban design. I have known Clinton for over 12 years and have tremendous respect for his knowledge and diligence. His attention to detail means he is in my mind one of New Zealand’s leading urban designers with his input adding value to projects both from a financial and more importantly an aesthetic point of view. I often joke that if I had been in his classes at University he would have failed me for my lack of the qualities he possesses and would expect from his students.
Journalism is considered the fourth estate of society. Historically being placed alongside ‘the king, the clergy, and the commoners’. It’s role has been that of a watch dog of those other estates which have significant influence over society – resulting in itself also gaining significant influence. In more recent times, the increase in dialogue around fake news and click bait, the actual weight given to the media has weakened somewhat. If Trump we’re to be believed, all press would be known as liars and spin-doctors.
