Podcasts about lambton quay

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What recent announcements has he made regarding the replacement of the Resource Management Act 1991? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Economic Growth: Does she agree with the statement of Hon Nicola Willis, "On our watch there may be fewer people wearing lanyards on Lambton Quay, but there are going to be a lot more people wearing high-vis and hard-hats"; if so, why? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his Government's statements and actions? TODD STEPHENSON to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What recent announcements has she made about the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19? DANA KIRKPATRICK to the Minister for Infrastructure: What recent action has he taken on infrastructure growth? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by his statement regarding the health workforce, "understaffing-more fake news"; if not, why not? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? SUZE REDMAYNE to the Minister for Trade and Investment: What recent announcement has the Government made regarding New Zealand's trade relations with India?

OPINION The Golden Mile. Three words that terrify business owners on Lambton Quay, Willis Street and Courtenay Place. You know the plan. Removing cars from those three streets, pedestrianising the roads and installing bus lanes only. Parking will be gone too. It started off with Let's Get Wellington Moving. Then that was scrapped. But Wellington mayor Tory Whanau promised to make sure it still went ahead. She secured the money from the coalition government and made it something of a legacy project. But recently the council had gone silent on the plan. We learnt no contracts had been signed and there were certainly no shovels in the ground. But ysterday the media were called into Wellington City Council offices for a top-secret meeting to reveal the latest plans. And it turns out there's not much to report. First of all, contracts for the whole project still haven't been signed. The only contract signed is for the corner intersection of Courtney Place, Kent Terrace and Cambridge Terrace. Spades in the ground by April we're told, and it'll take 8 months to complete... for one intersection. Move over the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Wellington has Tory's corner. But that's it. No other contracts. No idea when work on the rest of the Golden Mile will start. For what is the Mayor's legacy project and something very important to her, she's moving extremely slowly on getting it done. Not that it worries her. "I think this is the happiest I've felt since the election," she told Newstalk ZB yesterday. Then there's the cost. The entire project is forecast to cost $116 million - but the council would not say yesterday the breakdown for the Courtenay Place section, citing commercial sensitivity. Then you've got support for businesses, or lack thereof. There will be none. Then there's the Mayor's comments about leases. She met with her mayoral business group this week to discuss the possibility of renting out empty spaces month by month to allow for pop up stores. The council owns none of those properties, so how do they decide what goes on with them? What landlord wants a lease for month-by-month? But being very serious here, I've always felt the improvement of Courtenay Place is imperative for our city to move forward. But the timing couldn't possibly be worse. We've got a multimillion-dollar development at Reading Cinema about to take place, we have businesses struggling from three or four years of the toughest economic climate most can remember. And we're going to destroy Courtenay Place before we rebuild it. You just have to look at Thorndon Quay to know how damaging this will be. There's only one solution to all of this in my eyes. Stop and wait. Wellingtonians need to have their say. We have to hold on til the next election before we do anything. Whether Tory wins the mayoralty again can be a referendum on the Golden Mile. If Wellington wants it, she'll be back in. If not, scrap the whole damn thing. And if you get back in Tory - fill your boots, build your field of dreams. Your golden mile. But that's if you wins the election - and only if. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction work on the first phase of Wellington's controversial Golden Mile project was supposed to have begun this month - but diggers and bulldozers are nowhere to be seen. The council previously said contracts for the project, which would remove cars from Lambton Quay, Willis St and Courtenay Place, would be signed in December. Works on Courtenay Place were to begin this month. When asked for an update on the process, a Wellington City Council spokesperson told Newstalk ZB "we have no fixed contracts or dates at this stage." Contract negotiations are responsible for the delay, the spokesperson said. Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle, opposed to the project, joined Nick Mills to share what councillors have been told about the delay. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OPINION: Some disturbing news came across my desk yesterday. I got a lovely email from Nicola Cranfield with the sad news that Cranfield's on Johnson St near Lambton Quay is closing. Often shops close during a recession and unpredictable times. Shops close because they go broke. Businesses close when owners have just had enough. But Cranfield's has been operating in Wellington for 33 years and reading Nicola Cranfield's email really affected me. Nicola has fought endlessly against Let's Get Wellington Moving and the Golden Mile project. She's met with counsellors, she's met with businesses, she's gone to every meeting she possibly could have gone to, just to fight the cause to save Lambton Quay from both Let's Get Wellington Moving and the Golden Mile project. She's had the acrimony of presenting to Wellington City Council with councillors not even looking her in the eye, looking down at their devices not caring what she has to say.,not caring what she and her mother had done for our city over 33 years. Absolutely no respect whatsoever. But that didn't stop Nicola from fighting. That didn't stop Nicola from being a proud Wellingtonian wanting her successful family business to carry on against all the distractions and inconvenience that was thrown at her by those two major projects and our council. Things got so frustrating for her that she decided that she would not renew her long term lease and go month to month. Unfortunately for us in Wellington it didn't work for Nicola Cranfield and her shop is closing. A Wellington institution gone, just like that. It's interesting Nicola is not blaming or even bringing into the equation the public sector job losses due to government cuts. I've met Nicola a few times she's the most positive, bright, energetic and focused businesswoman you could ever expect to meet. She's someone you talk to and say to yourself ‘gosh aren't we lucky to have a person like that running a business in our city'. Well no longer; she joins the long list of fabulous Wellingtonians who ran amazing businesses that got caught up in the downward spiral and are out… An article in the Herald today from Thomas Coughlan, outlining the effects and breaking down the job losses by numbers is very interesting. It shows it's more of a self-perpetuating downhill spiral than actual cash disappearing from the community. People that haven't lost their job still have the disposable income to spend - they're just adjusting and being extremely careful. Even last night I met a couple who hadn't lost their jobs, still had disposable income and they felt guilty for going out. It felt wrong to them, with everything going on. Our city is in a bad place, and no, it's not just because of these public service cuts, which much of us would agree are needed to some extent. No, its a wider issue. It's an economy on the slump, it's a council that doesn't seem to understand the big issues, its uncertainty over projects like the Golden Mile. I love this city, I love it a lot - but Wellington doesn't feel like it did five, ten or twenty years ago. We're in a slump, we're in a spiral - and I think most of us know it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Golden Mile has done it tough this year, with around 50 stores closing down. Despite the grim financial times some businesses are staying the course and some big brands are returning to Lambton Quay. Rachel Helyer Donaldson reports

Energy and Resources Minister Shane Jones has been caught up in a climate protest, while on a walk - over policy he's spearheading. A small group of protestors marched down Wellington's Lambton Quay opposing the Government's bill reversing Labour's ban on oil and gas exploration. They told Jones he should be ashamed of himself, a claim he loudly rebutted, saying they were being hyperbolic and extreme. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper unpacks Jones's response to the backlash. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resources Minister Shane Jones has clashed with protesters on Lambton Quay in Wellington about the Government's climate policies. This comes after the Government announced it would only allow four days for the public to make submissions on its bill to reopen oil and gas exploration off the New Zealand coast.

A couple of things interested me with the Government's back-to-work edict:  1) We need a back-to-work edict and the fact we haven't had one until now.  2) Sadly, the admission no one knows what the hell is going on, who is where, what percentage of time people aren't there, how many aren't there, when they are or are not there compared with any other piece of the public service, etc.  It's Mickey Mouse stuff.  The Australians have crunched the numbers and found the savings for individuals in terms of money not spent commuting is in the tens of billions of dollars per year, for each state.  Of course, they have had return to work notices for a while, although New South Wales only did it for their public workers a few weeks back.  Saving money by not dealing with traffic is probably an upside to working from home, and I have always thought this business of teamwork and camaraderie is a bit overstated and, if not overstated, certainly hard to prove.  You can prove what you save not going to work. It's a bit harder to show what outworkings have been achieved by all hanging around the kitchen together.  The other odd thing has been my naivety. I honestly thought we had it sorted ages back. I assumed we had policy in place.  Obviously Wellington is a mess, but working from home is only part of the equation. The clowns who run the city are more responsible, surely, with their determination to destroy any signs of liveability.  Also, don't forget that for every coffee that isn't bought in Lambton Quay there is one purchased in Eastbourne.  Anyway, the skiving is over. Another of those lenient, take the mickey out of the Covid years ideas has been brought to an end, or will be shortly.  But you've got to wonder about the Government, don't you? All the private businesses had this sorted an age ago.  But good, old, dum dee doo Wellington has no policy and no decisions. Everyone was at home for a good, long weekend all pretending it was business as usual.  Well the jig is up. On balance, as hard as a park might be to find or a bus to catch, I think we are better off in general at work than at home pretending it's normal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One year, when I gave up on university before it gave up on me, I made a last ditch effort to climb the hill and instead of going to class I studied the wall at Student Job Search, saw a piece of paper with a listing for a bookstore job. I'd always wanted one of those. So I took up the slip and registered. I aced the interview. And that was me. The new me. A worker. I'd pop down The Terrace and onto Lambton Quay and report for duty. It wasn't a ‘great' bookshop. But it did have books. And books are great. I found a few new favourites. But mostly we sold magazines and cards and last-minute gifts. And the books we did sell were filled with pictures and recipes or were signed by All Blacks.One day I turned up there and the store's owner – a grumpy cliché – was furious to find that this store was soaked. Someone had left a firehose running overnight and it had leaked through the ceiling tiles and saturated many of the cards and their envelopes. Not many books were water-damaged but the carpet was soaked. I told the boss I was sorry. And he said, “never mind that, the real fucker in all of this is the insurance won't yet cover it. Help me push a few things over”. I thought it was a strange, dark joke. So I did my best laugh – but he looked angrily at me, as is to say we had some real work to do. And he lunged mightily at one of those rotating towers of trinkets and cards. Into the drink! Then he pushed another. “Well come on!” he bellowed.I didn't feel comfortable shoving anything into the water so I made out I was doing other important things – we had to get the store ready to open still. So I found a broom and swept a few puddles out of the way of the door. I told him I would get the float counted (haha, float). And start sorting out the backroom.It was a weird day.And then at morning tea time, Angry Boss walked past me and dumped a handful of these grotesque soft-toy frogs into the kitchen sink. He turned on the tap and ran them a cold bath.As I made my cuppa from the zip he said, “Hey matey, you mind turning over my frogs”. And he laughed a great deal. Like he was finding new ways to fuck with the system man. This flood had provided him with an opportunity.I worked with a woman who drove in from Lower Hutt every day with her two daughters. Which is to say I worked with all three of them. The youngest daughter was about 16 I reckon. The older one was about 19. They all smoked. Shared the same pack, and would take turns going out for a dart. None of them read. Apart from the magazines. The youngest was quite chatty and reckoned it was a great job, way better than school. Her favourite thing was ripping the covers off magazines that didn't sell. She got to keep the back bit of the magazine. Which counted as reading. And sometimes she'd rip an extra cover or two off so she could keep those as well.I did my best to get as involved as I could. I made a couple of up-sales, did my recommends. Managed to have a decent ‘book' chat once a day on average. Nothing like the dozens of great book-chats I'd have in the two other bookstore jobs I would go on to have. But you got to start somewhere. And this is where I started.But I couldn't stay long. If the frogs and the insurance ‘top-up' wasn't enough. If the same pack of smokes being torn through every two days by three cackling non-readers wasn't a grind, then it all got to be too much when Angry Boss removed me from the store and sent me upstairs to run his “Christmas Pop-Up Shop”.He told me, outright, that “the girls” were good for business. They “looked good”. I “did not”. So I was better placed away from the main store and upstairs to take money off people that were never in need of any guidance – beyond a simple finger-point towards more ribbon or the different types of wrapping paper.And if I thought I was above all that water-damage – literally on the next level – I was still guilty by association; Angry Boss was grabbing armfuls of things from ‘my' store and taking them down the escalator to chuck into his puddle.I would buy a crate of beer in the weekend and have a tall bottle each night after work, the rest over Friday and Saturday. It was an okay life. I was writing as much as I could at night. And I felt like I was actually doing something. Even though the job was getting worse each day.Finally, I realised that Angry Boss was never going to get better, would never be calmer. Not with Christmas around the corner. He yelled at me in front of a customer once. Got the wrong end of the stick and blamed me for something someone else had done (or actually, hadn't done as it were). The customer apologised to me after Angry Boss raged out. That shouldn't ever happen.On the 23rd of December I left my shift, after after being yelled at by the boss – and in front of customers. I stayed back for five extra minutes, found a spot to hide and construct a brief, handwritten resignation. Saying that it was effective immediately. I mean I was basically walking out. But I figured if I stated that it would bind in some way.I stuffed the messily written note in one of the spare envelopes from the cards. I stashed it on his desk, sticking out so he might see it, but also might not see it straightaway. I needed time to do a casual walk out – like it was just any other shift and not also the final shift. He'd find out after I was gone that I was gone. I was doing a runner on the eve of Christmas Eve. Finishing up and leaving him in the lurch before the busiest day of the year. I knew I was a bit of a jerk for this. But I had reconciled that he was a way bigger jerk. So. There.No way was this bookworm going to be flippin' frogs in the sink in between serving scowling people with no patience, stressed to be in a line to get last-minute knickknacks and black-covered novelisations.I turned the corner outside the store. And I started to run. Just in case, really. But also because I was chasing after something that felt super earned. Freedom. Freedom. I almost screamed it.  And when I made it home to the flat I put a George Benson record on, used a fish-slice to un-cap a beer and nursed it in front of my stereo. I rang one of my mates and had a fucking good laugh.PostScript to this story…I've never left Wellington. I moved her to be a student, and found a home — eventually a degree. In the opposite order of the way most go about it. The bookstore where this story takes place is no longer standing, but I walk past the scene of the crime most days now, on the way to ‘grown up' work.The statute of limitations is well past, eh.I was struggling to concentrate at uni, so I took a full-time job in this store, and that was my life for a while. At home, I'd write poems, and this is when I started writing short stories too. I wrote a bunch of them — the same George Benson album (above) made an appearance in another (completely fictional) short story. God knows why that was a favourite? But it is a great wee record.I was also taking it very seriously that I had a ‘gig' writing music reviews for New Zealand Musician, and I'd started my column for the Capital Times where I'd eventually just start making up the names of fake-bands to write about. But that's arguably another story…It was a pretty great summer, but it was pretty bad too. Things would eventually get better. Of course. But before then, they only got worse..Let me know if you like this sort of thing, with the audio version of the story as an option sometimes. A couple of years ago I recorded a few of these stories, with crude musical backing, and released an album or two on Bandcamp under the name Second Storey Teller. Sounds Good! is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Start writing today. Use the button below to create a Substack of your own Get full access to Sounds Good! at simonsweetman.substack.com/subscribe

OPINION: Some disturbing news came across my desk yesterday. I got a lovely email from Nicola Cranfield with the sad news that Cranfield's on Johnson St near Lambton Quay is closing.   Often shops close during a recession and unpredictable times.   Shops close because they go broke.   Businesses close when owners have just had enough.  But Cranfield's has been operating in Wellington for 33 years and reading Nicola Cranfield's email really affected me.   Nicola has fought endlessly against Let's Get Wellington Moving and the Golden Mile project. She's met with counsellors, she's met with businesses, she's gone to every meeting she possibly could have gone to, just to fight the cause to save Lambton Quay from both Let's Get Wellington Moving and the Golden Mile project.  She's had the acrimony of presenting to Wellington City Council with councillors not even looking her in the eye, looking down at their devices not caring what she has to say.,not caring what she and her mother had done for our city over 33 years. Absolutely no respect whatsoever.  But that didn't stop Nicola from fighting.  That didn't stop Nicola from being a proud Wellingtonian wanting her successful family business to carry on against all the distractions and inconvenience that was thrown at her by those two major projects and our council.  Things got so frustrating for her that she decided that she would not renew her long term lease and go month to month.  Unfortunately for us in Wellington it didn't work for Nicola Cranfield and her shop is closing.   A Wellington institution gone, just like that.  It's interesting Nicola is not blaming or even bringing into the equation the public sector job losses due to government cuts.  I've met Nicola a few times she's the most positive, bright, energetic and focused businesswoman you could ever expect to meet.  She's someone you talk to and say to yourself ‘gosh aren't we lucky to have a person like that running a business in our city'.  Well no longer; she joins the long list of fabulous Wellingtonians who ran amazing businesses that got caught up in the downward spiral and are out…  An article in the Herald today from Thomas Coughlan, outlining the effects and breaking down the job losses by numbers is very interesting.   It shows it's more of a self-perpetuating downhill spiral than actual cash disappearing from the community.  People that haven't lost their job still have the disposable income to spend - they're just adjusting and being extremely careful.  Even last night I met a couple who hadn't lost their jobs, still had disposable income and they felt guilty for going out. It felt wrong to them, with everything going on.   Our city is in a bad place, and no, it's not just because of these public service cuts, which much of us would agree are needed to some extent.   No, its a wider issue. It's an economy on the slump, it's a council that doesn't seem to understand the big issues, its uncertainty over projects like the Golden Mile.   I love this city, I love it a lot - but Wellington doesn't feel like it did five, ten or twenty years ago.  We're in a slump, we're in a spiral - and I think most of us know it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HIGHLIGHT: National MP Tom Rutherford reaches out to us telling us he can get us into parliament pool, but also reveals there's a secret escalator that takes you underground Lambton Quay...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Mayor Tory Whanau hopes a future government will resurrect the just-ditched plans for light rail in the city. In the meantime, she says she's keen to get some shovels in the ground for the council-led work on the golden mile -- which spans Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place. Tory Whanau spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.

A Wellington City Councillor says the mayor's ignoring the wishes of the incoming government by pushing ahead with the Golden Mile redevelopment.  Tory Whanau says the final contract is days away from being signed despite National opposing it.   It would see cycling and pedestrian improvements and get rid of cars between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place.   Diane Calvert was asked by Mike Hosking if the comments are just to stick it up the new Government because Whanau doesn't like them.  She reckons that's part of it, because she claims Tory Whanau's continually championing the Green agenda.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some roads around Parliament have been closed ahead of political protests planned for tomorrow and later in the week. Those streets include part of Lambton Quay, lower Molesworth Street, Kate Sheppard Place, and Hill Street. The closures, which are right by Wellington's train station and largest bus exchange, are expected to cause some disruption for commuters with stops moved, and routes changed. Wellington District commander acting superintendent Wade Jennings spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Some roads around Parliament have been closed ahead of political protests planned for Thursday and later in the week. Those streets closed include part of Lambton Quay, lower Molesworth Street, Kate Sheppard Place, and Hill Street. The closures, which are right by Wellington's train station and largest bus exchange, are expected to cause some disruption for commuters with stops moved, and routes changed. Reporter Bill Hickman spoke to Corin Dann from Hill Street behind Parliament.

This morning we hear that a nationwide UN conference, set to be held in Wellington, has been moved online due to safety concerns. The move comes as authorities expect potential chaos in the capital over the next few days, as several groups of protesters including one led by Brian Tamaki are set to arrive into Wellington. The United Nations Association of New Zealand was to have its conference at parliament on Thursday, the focus being on sustainable development. However, the event had become a target of fringe groups and a decision was made last week to move it online, following Parliamentary Services' advice. Misinformation was also being shared online, including by Brian Tamaki, who falsely claimed that the organisation was linked to BlackRock and the World Economic Reform. But unfortunately it gets worse. Parliament is bracing for a large protest from midday on Thursday with additional security measures to be put in place. Now, we as Wellingtonians are being asked to work from home if possible. So once again, productivity in every form in Wellington will be disadvantaged by protesters. We all know the Destiny Church founder Brian Tamaki was heavily involved in the occupation at parliament last year, and in August 2022 he held a peoples' court on Parliament's steps for crimes against Kiwis. So cringe. Why do we allow these groups to come into our capital city and disrupt the whole city? I understand the right to protest in a peaceful manner. But what I don't understand, is how any group can cause so much disruption in a capital city. Especially when it prevents people going about their normal day. Have we not learned anything from previous protests? The big disappointment for me here is we as a city are getting hugely disadvantaged. We have one of the biggest events in our calendar on right now, WOW. Visitors are arriving from around New Zealand and some even from overseas. All while we are told to work from home, because of a protest. No thank you. I will not work from home. I will still go to WOW. I will still walk down Lambton Quay. I will still go about my normal day. Why? Because I live here and it's my city. Protesters, if you come into our city, and and march, and protest, do it under out rules, not yours. Let us who live and go about our day as normal. As I've said, we have a right to protest in New Zealand and I support that right. But I certainly don't support any protest that disrupts our city, affects our productivity, and most of all has authorities worried about our safety. As soon as public safety is involved, that's where we should be drawing the line. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has vowed to scrap Golden Mile redevelopment if contracts remain unsigned The project is part of the 7.4 billion dollar Let's Get Wellington Moving transport plan, and would see cars taken away between Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay. Major works on it are set to start mid next year but, contracts for it haven't been signed yet. The National Party's vowing to scrap the project as it currently stands if they get into Government and contracts still aren't signed off. Their Transport Spokesperson Simeon Brown is urging the Wellington City Council to refrain from doing so until at least after the election.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday the National Party came out with their new transport plan, and their intention to scrap Let's Get Wellington Moving.  But, there was something missing.  What would happen with the Golden Mile?  None of us need reminding as to what Let's Get Wellington Moving plans to do.  They want to rid of cars and make way for very important buses, cyclists and pedestrians.   For a moment some people may have thought with a change of government would bring a change of plan, but unfortunately, you may have been celebrating too soon.  Construction is set to begin in September, meaning contracts have likely already been signed, or are about to be.  This was something our news room pointed out.  So, in comes National's Chris Bishop, who says they're not a party that rips up contracts, but, encourages the Wellington City Council to reconsider.  He said there is significant opposition to the plan and there's a way to redevelop Lambton Quay that takes everybody on board.  Come in Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and new Transport Minister David Parker.  The pair were put under pressure to back the transport overhaul, which by the way is 60% government funded.  And, they refused to.   Hipkins said it was being reassessed as Labour developed it's transport policy.  He even referred to it in past tense, and said he was unhappy with progress.  So where does that leave Wellington?   Now if like me, you wondered how Golden Mile construction can go ahead without Government funding, I'm sorry to say it's already been taken care of.   Lucky for Let's Get Wellington Moving, that part of the project is being funded by Waka Kotahi and the Wellington City Council.  So, we now have a Government saying it doesn't know whether it can afford it.  The other party is saying if contracts are signed, they won't rip them up.  The reality is, the Wellington City Council now faces a window  A short window where they can achieve their green dream of removing cars from the CBD. Yes the future of the light rail and a second Mount Victoria tunnel may be up for debate, but now they have an opportunity to ensure they get their way when it comes to cars on our streets.  We need both major parties need to come up with a strategy, and now.  But looking at the facts in front of us, we know neither have one.  I think at the very least we need the Prime Minister to instruct Let's Get Wellington Moving and the Wellington City Council to make no commitments before the election. This is one case where pressing pause, has to be a logical outcome.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland, Dunedin, and now Wellington – does pedestrianisation solve problems, or create them?

A $7 billion transport plan for the capital is back on track after an eleventh hour bid failed to stop it. City Councillors voted 9 to 7 in favour of keeping Let's Get Wellington Moving - an ambition project that has barely gotten started. It includes a second Mt Victoria Tunnel, lightrail running to Island Bay and banning cars from the Golden Mile - an inner city stretch of road from Lambton Quay to Courtney Place. Soumya Bhamidipati reports.

Let's Get Wellington Moving has survived another day. Councillors have voted nine to seven against a No Confidence motion, panning the $7.4 billion plan. It includes scrapping cars in some CBD streets in favour of more green transit. Changes to the Golden Mile - from Lambton Quay to Courtney Place - will also go ahead. NZ Herald reporter Georgina Campbell says mayor Tory Whanau was vocal in today's meeting. "She did acknowledge the opposition to the plan from some businesses, as well as some of her peers. And she has said communication with businesses could have been better." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A popular Wellington retailer is among the businesses and organisations slamming proposals for the city's Golden Mile. The council will vote tomorrow on a key aspect of Let's Get Wellington Moving - getting rid of cars along Lambton Quay, up through Willis and Manners Streets, to Courtenay Place. Several business owners signed a letter to the mayor, stating the removal of cars from Wellington's key retail area will drive customers away. Moore Wilson's Julie Moore says the lack of consultation and engagement surrounding this project is concerning. "We have grave concerns of the damage that this proposal will do to our city. We're a small city, small population, small in size, and this proposal is basically from one end of our city to another." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A popular Wellington retailer is among the businesses and organisations slamming proposals for the city's Golden Mile. The council will vote tomorrow on a key aspect of Let's Get Wellington Moving - getting rid of cars along Lambton Quay, up through Willis and Manners Streets, to Courtenay Place. Several business owners signed a letter to the mayor, stating the removal of cars from Wellington's key retail area will drive customers away. Moore Wilson's Julie Moore says the lack of consultation and engagement surrounding this project is concerning. "We have grave concerns of the damage that this proposal will do to our city. We're a small city, small population, small in size, and this proposal is basically from one end of our city to another." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a sad and reflective day on Friday for a man who never lost his smile. People gathered last week at a funeral home in Newtown to mourn Mike Wahrlich,who died in the blaze at Loafers Lodge. He was often seen juggling tennis balls in the CBD, notably by Westpac bank on Lambton Quay, and was nicknamed 'Mike the Juggler' by Wellingtonians. Tennis balls were placed on his casket, alongside flowers, as people spoke of their memories of him. Some also sung songs to farewell the man who was remembered as Wellington's entertainer. His funeral was attended by the Mayor, a Police officer, a building inspector, a Black Power member, other street performers, locals, and his family. Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell attended the funeral and compiled audio from the day. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A well known Wellington man known as "Mike the juggler" has been named as a victim of last week's Loafers Lodge fire. 67-year-old Mike Wahrlich frequented Wellington's Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place for about 30 years, and was known for his big grin as he juggled tennis balls. His sister yesterday confirmed to Stuff that he was likely one of the four confirmed victims. Wellington City councillor Tamatha Paul spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss this morning.

A 23-year-old man is due to appear in court today, after a stabbing in central Wellington last night. The assault on Lambton Quay happened just before 8pm.. Kate Pereyra spoke to Corin Dann from Lambton Quay.

Hopes a major international retailer moving to Lambton Quay will give a post-pandemic boost to Wellington's CBD. Clothing brand Calvin Klein has confirmed it will set up shop in part of the building that once housed Kirkcaldie and Stains, and more recently David Jones. It shut down in June. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson says it's great news for the capital. He says having the acknowledgement of an international brand is a great first step in enlivening the area again. Other tenants for the rest of the building's space haven't yet been announced. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hopes a major international retailer moving to Lambton Quay will give a post-pandemic boost to Wellington's CBD. Clothing brand Calvin Klein has confirmed it will set up shop in part of the building that once housed Kirkcaldie and Stains, and more recently David Jones. It shut down in June. First Retail Group Managing Director Chris Wilkinson says it's great news for the capital. He says having the acknowledgement of an international brand is a great first step in enlivening the area again. Other tenants for the rest of the building's space haven't yet been announced. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The barricades are up and extra police have been brought into Wellington ahead the the Freedoms and Rights Coalition protest at parliament today. Vehicle movement and parking around the area will be restricted and the Parliament end of Lambton Quay, lower Molesworth Street, and Kate Sheppard Place have been closed. Reporter Rosie Gordon is at Parliament.

The barricades are up and extra police have been brought into Wellington ahead the the Freedoms and Rights Coalition protest at parliament today. Vehicle movement and parking around the area will be restricted and the Parliament end of Lambton Quay, lower Molesworth Street, and Kate Sheppard Place have been closed. Reporter Rosie Gordon has been checking out the scene this morning.

Wellington businesses have packed a punch in a pre-election report that calls for amalgamation and the capital's own version of Auckland Transport, while also questioning the role of the city's economic development agency. The Herald can exclusively reveal the details of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce's pre-election report ahead of this year's local body elections. Businesses painted a grim picture of the current state of affairs and said the city's leadership has been inward-looking and complacent for too long. "Wellington businesses feel overshadowed by Central Government and that the city is now synonymous with bureaucracy and politics, rather than business and innovation, forgetting the very essence of the heart of the city." The issue of amalgamation has recently started bubbling away in Wellington after the idea was axed in 2015. The report recommended Wellington, Porirua, and Hutt Councils should transition to become one over time, which it said was a conversation already happening "behind the scenes". Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Arcus told the Herald the Auckland Council experiment was now seen as largely successful. He said businesses considered amalgamation as a solution to some of the more wicked problems like transport, housing, and sustainability. "The boundaries of Wellington City alone seem very artificial to try and solve those problems. You've got to have a bigger, regional solution to some of the big issues that the city is facing." For that reason, the report also said the regional and city councils should relinquish their transport responsibilities to create a new entity like Auckland Transport. Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon Arcus. Photo / Supplied It recommended this entity should focus on reliability so people know they will get to work on time if they catch the bus. "Let's Get Wellington Moving, a source of enduring concern for business, is only one part of a tangled dysfunctional strategy that will benefit from the accountability of a single body," the report said. Accountability was a key theme throughout the report. Businesses said they often didn't know what their rates were spent on and how they directly benefited. They called for quarterly reporting from the council on this issue, as well as an annual independent "State of Business" report, and a dedicated go-between role funded directly out of commercial rates. Arcus said there was a lack of trust between the council and business. "We definitely don't want to dwell on the past which has been complicated by the make-up of council, we really want to try to work constructively to re-engage." The report took a swipe at Wellington NZ, the regional economic development agency, and said the council should clarify the organisation's "complex and cumbersome" mandate. It said the council should introduce KPIs based on economic growth and business success for WellingtonNZ. The report had three recommendations for the council's first 100 days. It said key infrastructure investment should be prioritised and restraint shown towards new projects until existing challenges were dealt with. The council should also work with businesses in this initial period to create a precinctplan for the city linking the stadium, Lambton Quay, waterfront, and Courtenay Place, it said. Finally, the report said a plan should be drawn up to prioritise and incentivise rapid CBD densification. Other recommendations included urgently addressing homelessness and antisocial behaviour, providing incentives to develop derelict sites, and positioning Wellington asthe national home of Māori and Pasifika business success and cultural celebration. Arcus said central Wellington needed to be safe, densified, and attractive for the capital to be a "magnet for talent" and seen as a destination. - Georgina Campbell, NZ HeraldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington's Golden Mile is a step closer to being car free. New design plans for Lambton Quay and Courtneay Place were released for feedback yesterday. They include wider footpaths, outdoor seating areas, bike and bus lanes, and access for delivery vehicles. Let's Get Wellington Moving Golden Mile project manager Veronica Byrne spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Wellington's Golden Mile is a step closer to becoming car free. New design plans for Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place were released for feedback yesterday. They include wider footpaths, outdoor seating areas, bike and bus lanes, and access for delivery vehicles. Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford spoke to Corin Dann.

Wellington's Golden Mile is one step closer.It goes all the way down from Lambton Quay from Parliament, up Willis Street heading south, over into Manners Street and then into Courtenay Place, where they're talking about only allowing pedestrians and buses to use it.The fourth round of consultation of Let's Get Wellington Moving has opened today and feedback is wanted on the stretch.Wellington Mayor Andy Foster joined Andrew Dickens.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consultation has opened on Wellington's Golden Mile.It goes all the way down from Lambton Quay from Parliament, up Willis Street heading south, over into Manners Street and then into Courtenay Place, where they're talking about only allowing pedestrians and buses to use it.This year's Pacific Island Forum is already in disarray.Kiribati has left the forum over a leadership dispute with forum Secretary General Henry Puna, whose appointment was seen as a snub over their own candidate.The College of Nurses wants to campaign for doubling the number of practitioning nurses.The Ministry of Health turned down their proposed model, but eventually, Health NZ agreed to meet.Simon Wilson and Phil O'Reilly joined Andrew Dickens on The HuddleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The upmarket David Jones apartment store in Lambton Quay, Wellington, will close its doors in a little over a month's time. The store replaced the former iconic, Kirkcaldie and Stains department store, on the central city site almost six years ago. While it began with a bang, foot traffic in the area has dropped off, and the firm says it's no longer sustainable. The firm's regional manager for New Zealand Jason James spoke to Corin Dann.

Central Wellington is finally starting to come back to life as workers return to the office and adjust to a new Covid-19 normal. Businesses have been desperate for the return of lunchtime shoppers. Reporter Soumya Bhamidipati has been out on Lambton Quay talking to people about being back - many are happy to have made the change - some not so much.

From Oriental Parade, to Cuba Street, Lambton Quay, The Terrace, Aro Street, Wellington is known as a very compact and walkable city. It's also packed full of interesting buildings which tell a story of the city's history. Architecture writer John Walsh has already published popular walking guides for Christchurch and Auckland, and Wellington is now in for the same treatment. Alongside photographer Patrick Reynolds, John Walsh has produced a pocket guide of one hundred and twenty of Wellington's most significant central city buildings. And as John tells Kathryn, there's a lot to write about; hemmed in by steep hills and little flat land, Wellington has the most intensely occupied downtown in the country

David Jones is leaving Lambton Quay in Wellington. This will leave a huge hole in the city as in a short time, David Jones became a flagship store for the area. Foot traffic has been down in Wellington due to Covid, the protests and the council's removal of a lot of on-street parking. Retail NZ's Greg Harford joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Jones is leaving Lambton Quay in Wellington. This will leave a huge hole in the city as in a short time, David Jones became a flagship store for the area. Foot traffic has been down in Wellington due to Covid, the protests and the council's removal of a lot of on-street parking. Retail NZ's Greg Harford joined Kate Hawkesby. LISTEN ABOVE 

Police are out in force on Wellington streets again this morning. It follows dramatic scenes yesterday of battles between a large number of police and a hard core of angry protesters. There were chaotic scenes as protestors scrambled to save what gear they could and some were pepper sprayed. People set fire to trees and tents and loud bangs could be heard - possibly gas cannisters exploding - as the flames spread - damaging the children's playground and surrounding trees. The fires were put out, allowing police to push protesters onto the streets but tensions simmered for hours. Dozens of protestors hurled chairs, metal poles, a length of four by two - anything they could find at the line of officers. When they ran out of things to throw, they started digging up bricks from the footpath on Lambton Quay. A high powered water hose was also used by protestors showering police with paint petrol and water. As of late last night 87 people had been arrested for offences including trespass, wilful damage and possession of restricted weapons. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the violence was deeply saddening. Hundreds of police were involved in Wednesday's operation, seven required hospital treatment. Corin Dann spoke to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

Dozens of protestors hurled chairs, metal poles, a length of four by two - anything they could find at the line of officers on Thursday as they worked to clear the protest near parliament. When they ran out of things to throw, they started digging up bricks from the footpath on Lambton Quay. After 23 days the tent town with its kitchens, toilets and makeshift school are all gone and a massive cleanup will have to get underway. and as of late last night, 87 people had been arrested. RNZ reporters surveyed the streets around Parliament and spoke to Morning Report.

The was a late night standoff between Police and parliament protesters on Hill Street and on Lambton Quay at the intersection with Bowen Street as cars broke through the perimeter back into the protest area. Susie Ferguson got an update from Hill Street.

The iconic Cable Car has been running for 120 years today. The red cars run every ten minutes carrying Wellingtonians, visitors and even dogs up and down the line between Lambton Quay and Kelburn from 7.30 in the morning to 7pm at night. Nick Mills took a ride on the Cable Car with the chief executive Cesar Piotto to celebrate.LISTEN ABOVE

Sturdier barrier fencing has now been installed across the front of Parliament, protecting the buildings from the protesters camped on the lawn. About 100 people are wandering around the lawn and neighbouring streets as people start to wake. Food is being prepared at a food truck and a gazebo set up on Molesworth St. Vehicles are still partly blocking surrounding streets, though a small number appear to have left the end of Lambton Quay, across from the Supreme Court. The police presence has been notably stripped back, with just over a dozen across Parliament's forecourt, though that is likely to change, as more arrests are expected today.

Protesters have tried to breach the gates of parliament, prompting a wall of police to push them back out. Protesters are now attempting to move onto the forecourt at Parliament. Police have formed a line and are pushing the protesters back. A protest organiser is urging protesters to remain calm and not to resist arrest. At least two people have been put in handcuffs and led away by police. One person broke through and has been tackled to the ground by police. In a short video taken from the gates of Parliament, a man can be seen handcuffed and being taken away by two police officers. Crowds can be heard chanting which a protester speaks through a mega phone. One person can be heard screaming "guilty". Earlier the group, who camped at Parliament overnight, showed no signs of retreating despite a heavy police presence. A speaker earlier in the day said he intended to walk up Parliament's steps at 3pm, and encouraged others to join him. However, tensions have eased slightly since protesters reacted angrily to being issued a trespass notice by police earlier this morning. At least 100 officers greeted protesters today, many of whom had camped overnight at Parliament after travelling across the country in convoy to protest against vaccine mandates and the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Upon receiving the trespass notice at about 10.30am protest organisers reacted angrily, throwing it at the police officer in charge. A protester speaks to police outside Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell Furious protesters then approached the line of police officers guarding the forecourt of Parliament chanting "tell the truth" while also hurling abuse at the media on the balcony above. Speaker Trevor Mallard had earlier threatened to trespass the protesters. At 1.30pm the protesters still showed no intention of leaving, with tents erected and many sitting on picnic blankets or camping chairs. Protesters have been addressing the crowd for several hours. Earlier in the day a speaker said he would be walking up the steps to Parliament at 3pm, and encouraged other protesters to join him. Protesters were met with police on Wednesday morning. Photo / Sophie Trigger "For those that want to make a stand, we can all get arrested," he said. Another said the "police were not their enemies ... they are like so many of us that are forced to comply". A speaker later in the day encouraged other protesters not to wear masks and another who had travelled from Queenstown talked about the impact of Covid restrictions in the South Island. Social media posts seen by the Herald show a lack of cohesion among some of the protesters, with some saying they plan to advance on Parliament, and others urging a calmer response. Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Photo / Mark Mitchell Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell said they had increased their presence at Parliament grounds today in response to the protest. "Police have engaged with protest leaders and encouraged them to follow the advice of the Speaker of the House last night, who provided guidelines about protest activity in the grounds of Parliament," Parnell said. "Police are asking protesters to dismantle any structures that have been erected on the grounds, such as tents and marquees. "Police will continue to have a significant presence at Parliament today and will deal with incidents as they arise, recognising individuals' lawful right to peaceful protest." Protesters are served with a trespass notice at Parliament. When questioned about options for towing away illegally parked vehicles, Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said they were aware the end of Lambton Quay by the bus terminal was blocked. "We are working with police on our options regarding illegally parked vehicles, taking into account our desire not to put our staff in danger," he said. Thousands of protesters had yesterday brought Wellington's city stre...

At least 100 anti-Covid-19 vaccine mandate protestors are milling about outside Parliament this morning, after camping on the grounds overnight. Molesworth Street remains blocked by dozens of vehciles, including big rigs and campervans, and there are dozens more parked by the cenotaoph at the base of Lambton Quay. Some protestors spoken to by RNZ this morning say they will stay at the grounds for as long as it takes. RNZ reporter Hamish Cardwell spoke to Corin Dann from parliament.

Today's Covid-19 protest in Wellington today may have fallen on deaf ears, or none at all.  Thousands gathered at Parliament in pouring rain – objecting to Covid restrictions and vaccine mandates.  Protestors were led up Lambton Quay by Brian Tamaki's Freedom and Rights Coalition, and called for politicians to show their faces. They'd finished up for the year yesterday. Newstalk ZB Wellington reporter, Jack Crossland, told Heather Du Plessis-Allan to no one's surprise, Tamaki didn't make an appearance. LISTEN ABOVE 

Glass has been raining down in central Wellington today, closing part of Lambton Quay and surrounding streets. Our reporter Kirsty Frame joins us from there with all the details.  

Let's Get Wellington Moving plans to make the golden mile car free.It's announced that after public consultation, the 'transform' option is the most preferred.It means by the end of 2025 Lambton Quay, Courtney Place, Willis and Manners street will become car free, and instead give priority to pedestrians and buses.The plan still needs to go to the Wellington City Council and Waka Kotahi for approval, before construction can begin at the end of next year.It comes as businesses impacted by CRL construction in Auckland say they are at the end of their tether.The intersection of Victoria and Albert Street in Auckland's CBD is closing for two years from June 29 as work continues.Those affected gathered outside Auckland Council this morning - asking ministers and the Mayor to help.Attic Backpackers owner Michael Leroy-Dyson told Heather du Plessis-Allan the city rail link work, the lockdown and closed borders are more than virtually any business could survive.He says the borders closed the year just gone, but they've been putting up with the construction for a while - and it's impacted their ability to have some cash reserves.And the Government has revealed how our general population rollout of the Covid vaccine will work -- and the booking system behind it.Those aged 60 and over can book from July 28 It'll move down age bands until under 35s are eligible in October.Listen above as Hayden Munro and Nick Mills discuss the day's news with Heather du Plessis-Allan on The Huddle

A long-time Wellington disability advocate is worried about the prospect of a carless Golden Mile in the capital. A car ban is to be introduced in 2024 along Courtenay Place, Lambton Quay and Manners and Willis streets. Only buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be permitted. Advocate Wendi Wicks spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Wellington's Mayor wants to ensure ample parking in the city when cars are kicked off some key roads.Let's Get Wellington Moving plans to make Lambton Quay, Courtney Place, and Willis and Manners streets by the end of 2025.It still needs approval from Wellington City Council and Waka Kotahi before construction can start at the end of next year.Mayor Andy Foster told Heather du Plessis-Allan he disputes the idea there's not a lot of parking in the central city."There's actually a lot of parking in the area. What we do have to do is transfer some of that from long-stay parking, which is people who go and park their car all day, to short-stay parking, which is one of the tools we hope we will get through Let's Get Wellington Moving."LISTEN ABOVE

A long-time Wellington disability advocate is worried about the prospect of a carless Golden Mile in the capital. A car ban is to be introduced in 2024 along Courtenay Place, Lambton Quay and Manners and Willis streets. Only buses, cyclists and pedestrians will be permitted. Advocate Wendi Wicks spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A retail researcher has noticed an increase in vacancies along Lambton Quay over the past six months. Martin Craig talks to Jesse about the vacant retail sites which are not surviving in spite of strong foot traffic.

Just five years after its fanfare opening, the luxury department store chain David Jones is closing its flagship Wellington store. Its Australian-based management confirmed on Wednesday the Lambton Quay store will shut its doors in June 2022. Customers and staff were reluctant to talk to an RNZ reporter - but on the street outside, many were unsurprised. The closure of the department store could leave a sore wound on the capital's most important commercial strip. Business New Zealand's Kirk Hope speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Michael Jordan may have finished playing professional basketball almost two decades ago but the shoes that bear his name continue to attract attention. Overnight over 100 people queued outside Footlocker on Lambton Quay, to ensure they secured a pair of the sought after shoes when shop doors opened at 8AM. Even more were lining up outside two Auckland stores. What precisely were they waiting for? The Air Jordan 1 Hi OG 'Mocha' - which would have set them back $240 a pair. Reporter Michael Cropp was there.

Martin Luther King's son says there is a clear racial problem within the US police.It follows weeks of unrest after the killing of African-American man George Floyd by a police officer, and more recently the death of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot by police in Atlanta.It's sparked protests both in the US and around the world, with demonstrators calling for an end to racism.The protests have made their way to New Zealand, with two happening today in Auckland and Wellington.Martin Luther King lll told The Weekend Collective both incidents are truly tragic.“Policeman know how to apprehend – or at least used to – without killing. When it comes to apprehending black suspects, it always ends up fatal.“There's something drastically wrong with that.”However, he says it is great to see so many people protesting for human rights.King threw his support behind New Zealand protesters.“My dad used to say that the greatness of democracy or the democratic system is the right to protest for rights. People are protesting for justice, for righteousness, for equality, all over the world.”Protesters wait for the start of the Black Lives Matter rally in Aotea Square in Auckland. Photo / RNZThe Auckland march, which started at Aotea Square, headed down Queen St and ended at the US consulate, where protesters took a knee and observed a minute of silence for George Floyd.The Auckland rally opened with a karakia at Aotea Square and a mihi whakatau by Graham Tipene, of Ngāti Whātua, who told the crowd to "keep it peaceful"."Our kids are here, so let's do it right and fight for what's right."There were some counter-protesters, including some who yelled out "all lives matter" during speeches, but those there for the BLM gathering were told to ignore them, or to take a knee if they saw them.In Wellington, close to 3000 protesters are marching from Civic Square to Parliament.Lambton Quay is flooded with those showing solidarity.Traffic is being diverted away from the street as the march arrives at Parliament."This is not a moment, this a movement," one speaker said outside Parliament.The crowd of thousands erupted into applause and cheers."The future is us," the crowd said back."The future is change, the future is us, the future is freedom," the crowd can be heard chanting.The Black Lives Matter march at Parliament. Photo / Jason Walls

A community advocate says Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend were just as much about systemic racism in New Zealand, as it was about police brutality in the US. Protests were held in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Dunedin to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. In Wellington, thousands marched from Civic Square to Parliament along Lambton Quay chanting "no justice, no peace". Guled Mire the co-founder of Third Culture Minds and one of of the organisers of Wellington's protest, Nicole Inskeep an organiser for the last march and Jazmen Rose, an African American resident in New Zealand and one of the speakers at the event speak to Corin Dann.

Martin Luther King's son says there is a clear racial problem within the US police.It follows weeks of unrest after the killing of African-American man George Floyd by a police officer, and more recently the death of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot by police in Atlanta.It's sparked protests both in the US and around the world, with demonstrators calling for an end to racism.The protests have made their way to New Zealand, with two happening today in Auckland and Wellington.Martin Luther King lll told The Weekend Collective both incidents are truly tragic.“Policeman know how to apprehend – or at least used to – without killing. When it comes to apprehending black suspects, it always ends up fatal.“There’s something drastically wrong with that.”However, he says it is great to see so many people protesting for human rights.King threw his support behind New Zealand protesters.“My dad used to say that the greatness of democracy or the democratic system is the right to protest for rights. People are protesting for justice, for righteousness, for equality, all over the world.”Protesters wait for the start of the Black Lives Matter rally in Aotea Square in Auckland. Photo / RNZThe Auckland march, which started at Aotea Square, headed down Queen St and ended at the US consulate, where protesters took a knee and observed a minute of silence for George Floyd.The Auckland rally opened with a karakia at Aotea Square and a mihi whakatau by Graham Tipene, of Ngāti Whātua, who told the crowd to "keep it peaceful"."Our kids are here, so let's do it right and fight for what's right."There were some counter-protesters, including some who yelled out "all lives matter" during speeches, but those there for the BLM gathering were told to ignore them, or to take a knee if they saw them.In Wellington, close to 3000 protesters are marching from Civic Square to Parliament.Lambton Quay is flooded with those showing solidarity.Traffic is being diverted away from the street as the march arrives at Parliament."This is not a moment, this a movement," one speaker said outside Parliament.The crowd of thousands erupted into applause and cheers."The future is us," the crowd said back."The future is change, the future is us, the future is freedom," the crowd can be heard chanting.The Black Lives Matter march at Parliament. Photo / Jason Walls

A large climate protest in Wellington has closed off all access to MBIE's Stout Street building.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says staff should work from home or from another ministry office today if possible.Dozens of activists with the international group Extinction Rebellion are intermittently blocking Lambton Quay and Whitmore Streets as part of rallies planned for 60 capital cities around the world.First time protester Mel Vautier told Chris Lynch protesters have been seen as disrupters in the past but we look back glad at what they achieved so hopefully it's the same situation here.Mel is chained to a car in the middle of Stout Street with 5 other protesters and another group of protesters are chained to a boat in the middle of an intersection further down the road. People are being urged to avoid the area.

In the second episode of Not Your Average Cricket Show Suzie Bates discusses what happened against India, we head down to Lambton Quay to discover why you don't like cricket, and we get up close with the 2000 World Cup Trophy.

Here's a few questions for you: How did you get to work this morning? How did you end up sitting at your computer? Did you consciously open this email, or was it on auto pilot that you just clicked on it? Will you watch the video below while looking at your phone, emailing someone, talking to a college and racing through everything that you have on for the day? When Emily Mason came and did a couple of events for clients, one statistic that shocked me was how much time we spend doing things unconsciously. Are you like me and you’ve had that experience of driving somewhere, but not actually knowing how you got there? And when you look back, you realise you just did it on autopilot, or you find yourself slamming on breaks because you tuned out for a second or two! I have to admit, I can definitely own up and say my autopilot might have been switched on a few times with my early morning yoga class. We can kind of justify these things as being normal, but when Emily told us we spend 50% of our lives being unconscious, doing life unconsciously, that seems like such a waste. You only need to look down Lambton Quay at lunch time and most people are on their phones looking down. I can be walking to work, missing the sounds, the smells, the colour of the sky or the people walking past, I can be barely conscious of the feel of my clothes as I walk along the street. I want to be present with my life and really get the most out of it. I don’t want to get to the end of each day, crossing things off my to-do list while rushing unconsciously from one thing to the next, never really getting the joy from each experience and relationship that I’m lucky enough to encounter. What about you? Are you ready to be more present and make the most of every day? If so, take a minute and purposely watch the video below. What will your action be? The problem with this newsletter is that it’s too easy to say, “Yeah, I want to live my life differently, or I want to be conscious and present in my life more than just 50% of the time.” This actually takes conscious practice and a decision to really want to. I invite you today to share with us on Facebook what small action you are going to pick to be more conscious with. Let's be accountable together (and supportive - together). Will it be: brushing your teeth, the way you washing the dishes, how you chew your food? Do you even notice what you are eating at dinner? Or will you decide to come home each evening and turn off your phone and be conscious with your loved ones or yourself? Maybe you will do a conscious body scan throughout the day so you can be more mindful of what your body needs. What will you do? Can’t wait to hear what you are picking. Pre-register for online training courses: http://onlinetraining.shelleygawith.com/your-best-you