Todd Niall
Top Stories for Friday 9 August 2013
Tiwai Point contract sorted, now the Government can part privatise Meridian Energy, Fonterra starts to answer some of the questions its been avoiding over the Contamination and obesity takes over from… Audio
Conservative Party contesting Auckland council election
The two-year-old Conservative Party is to contest the Auckland Council election. The party will be chasing seats on the second-tier Local Boards, but the party has it's eye on a bigger prize. Audio
Top Stories for Wednesday 7 August 2013
International milk prices; Fonterra won't answer questions but the markets judge; Tourism industry worries about Fonterra fallout; GCSB Bill makes progress through Parliament; Heightened security… Audio
New measuring stick boosts Auckland rail tunnel argument
Public transport supporters have been buoyed by a change in the way mass transit projects are being assessed. The transport agency NZTA says its new formula takes into account a wider range of… Audio
Auckland Council unclear about affordable housing in Accord
The Auckland Council says it doesn't know whether its proposed housing agreement with the Government will do anything to provide truly affordable homes. Audio
Don't write off road charges - Auckland mayor
Auckland's mayor believes the Government is open to persuasion on introducing charges to use roads in the city. Audio
Changed Unitary Plan calms many Auckland communities
Changes to Auckland's hotly debated growth blueprint appear to have satisfied many of the leaders of communities worried about higher density housing. Audio
Changes to Unitary Plan placates many Auckland communities
Auckland's Deputy Mayor says efforts to build community feedback into the city's thirty-year growth plan should resolve most worries about the impact of higher density housing. Audio
Will taxpayers have to pay for Auckland roads?
The Government today has not ruled out new nationwide petrol taxes to help fund major transport projects in Auckland. Audio
Akl to decide on plugging $12 billion transport funding gap
Petrol price hikes in three years and gold coin congestion charges in eight years are key parts of a plan to find 12 billion dollars to free up Auckland's gridlocked roads. Audio
Four main starters in Auckland's main mayoral race
The race for the country's biggest mayoralty is on, with Auckland's Len Brown confirming he'll run again, against three distinct challengers. Audio
Alternative public transport plan proposes more for less
A coalition of public transport advocates says Auckland could have an efficient bus and train network much sooner than planned and for billions of dollars less than currently budgeted. Audio
Section of Auckland's downtown rail tunnel being built early
Our Auckland Correspondent Todd Niall has been at this mornings announcement on the tunnel. Audio
Property deal might jumpstart part of Auckland rail tunnel
A small section of Auckland's downtown rail tunnel could be built early as part of a property development in central Auckland. Audio
Auckland Council explores splitting new zones in Unitary Plan
The Auckland Council has decided there is merit in splitting some of the higher-density housing zones in its hotly-debated thirty year blueprint. Audio
Higher density housing in Auckland to be debated
Lower building height limits for parts of Auckland's thirty year development blueprint will be debated this morning, following months of sometimes rowdy debate. Audio
Government approves cross-harbour tunnels for Auckland
Auckland is to get a new harbour crossing and drivers could be travelling through tunnels under the Waitemata within twenty years. Audio
Government to announce more transport support for Auckland
The Auckland Council is expecting big things at today's Government announcement on the City Rail Link, with the mayor describing that project as 'just a start.' Audio
Auckland's city rail loop 'a game changer'
The Auckland city rail loop is being compared with the 54 year old Auckland Harbour Bridge as a project that could help transform Auckland. Audio
Survey: most under 30s unaware of Auckland unitary plan
Despite months of high-profile debate about Auckland's thirty-year growth blueprint, most of the city's younger residents say they haven't heard of it. Audio