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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Margaret Stanley @ecostanley.bsky.social · 9h

Check out NZ Parliamentary Commissioner for Environment's report: 3 points politicians should agree on: 1) our economy is a subset of the environment, not vice versa, 2) critical importance of high-quality spatial data, 3) be realistic about time frames/costs of tackling env. problems. #Aotearoa 🧪🌏

Annual report for the year ended 30 June 2025

The Commissioner has released his annual report for the year ended 30 June 2025. Here is an abbreviated version of his overview. The full version can be read here.

pce.parliament.nz

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 15h

What makes biz go delusional about the economy? Oh yeah, their party in power.
How great is the gap between reality + generally agreed right-wing public policy? Dead wrong about public finances + society, no matter how good they are at running own businesses? Via @bernardchickey.bsky.social

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Mark Gongloff @markgongloff.bsky.social · 5d

"Spain’s rapid renewables build-out means its power prices were set by fossil generation just 19% of the time, down from 75% in 2019. As a result, wholesale electricity was almost a third cheaper than the EU average"

Imagine having cheaper power

Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Spain’s Renewable-Energy Boom Loosens Gas’s Grip on Power Prices

Soaring renewables output in Spain is weakening gas’s grip on electricity prices, setting the country apart from much of Europe where fossil fuels still dictate the cost of power.

www.bloomberg.com

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

Well, Modernism is so last century… (heheh)

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

^Cartoon above by Auckland architect Malcolm Walker

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

Robbie says:

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

*Sculpture by Toby Twiss

Auckland Rapid Transit Network (RTN) plan with red showing combined rail and busway network as will be in 2027, and two further busways ‘in design’ in green. One thing I will do if elected is push for unified branding of this top tier system as ART Auckland Rapid Transit.

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

Here with great Auckland Mayor Sir Dove-Meyer ‘Robbie’ Robinson, in office 1968-80, famous for trying to build a Rapid Transit systems ‘Robbie’s Rail’. So overdue, but also now within reach. My top priority, and what really started my involvement in AKl policy:

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 1d

Two great heritage buildings in downtown Auckland, shot on my phone. The Old Customs House 1888, now ironically a duty free store, and West Plaza 1974 by Neville Price. Both buildings more than a little derivative, the later inspired by Ponti’s Pirelli Tower 1958, Milan. The former, well obviously..

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 2d

96.59% is broad gauge. Of which 97.05% (Feb 2025) is electrified.
I think it’s reasonable to describe that as ‘almost 100%’

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 2d

But, the logistics of running a library and fixing the building around it, is much worse. The is about creating a much better up to date purpose built library. And it can stay as it is, where it is, until the new home is ready.

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 2d

Yes. India is both electrifying its remaining population + decarbonising what is still a dirty system. Direction of travel is already impressive (2024: 10% solar + wind). Both China + India have already made the massive achievement of halting fossil growth. Detail below:
youtu.be/qMrn-JewoCo?...

What India Gets Right About The Energy Transition | Ep226: Dr Arunabha Ghosh

YouTube video by Cleaning Up Podcast

youtu.be

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · 3d

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

David Roberts @volts.wtf · 4d

The only pathway to true abundance.

Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 4d

"Solar energy is anticipated to be the world’s main source of energy by 2050" hell yeah

Solar: main source of EU electricity in June with 22%

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 3d

Not nearly enough is made of the incredibly impressive feat Indian Railways has made to electrify almost 100% of its 135,000km of track, while also growing renewable sourcing. Huge:

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/ind...

Indian Railways to achieve net zero targets in 2025 itself - 5 years ahead of 2030 goal - Times of India

India Business News: Indian Railways is set to achieve net-zero targets by year-end, surpassing its 2030 goal through extensive electrification. Aiming for 95% electric tr

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Musical Chairs @musicalchairs.bsky.social · 3d

OECD comparison of changes in unemployment relative to 2019 average. Second image shows all oecd countries. I remain baffled by the media not asking the obvious questions here: 'How have we fked up so badly? Who is accountable?'

Image shows NZ unemployment climbing relative to other countries and groups of countries.

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Toitū te Tiriti 🇳🇿 @mrjeffhowell.bsky.social · 3d

The data in this article is absolutely damning. In the face of this, Nicola Willis’ response is idiotic.

It’s a long article. If you don’t have time for all the words, the graphs tell the story.

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

‘Not sound economics’: 20 economists slam government’s economic strategy

The signatories – including former Productivity Commission chair Ganesh Nana and economist Susan St John – say the Government’s fiscal approach has worsened the recession, weakened public services, an...

www.thepost.co.nz

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Sacha @sachadylan.bsky.social · 3d

'After decades of market-first thinking, ministers still default to the belief that competition will fix it even when the evidence shows it won’t.'

archive.ph/iebQT

Current affairs: why no-one is fixing the energy market rort draining Kiwis

OPINION: Successive governments promised competition would deliver cheaper power, groceries and banking. Instead, New Zealand has ended up with cosy oligopolies that gouge consumers.

www.thepress.co.nz

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Jennifer Ward @jenospeno.bsky.social · 3d

💚 Walking the talk: Signed deed cements Waitākere Ranges partnership www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...

Walking the talk: Signed deed cements Waitākere Ranges partnership

The new agreement between Te Kawerau ā Maki, Auckland Council and the Crown cements co-management of the heritage area.

www.rnz.co.nz

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 4d

Buried in various council papers, if elected I will get this work dug out and revived.

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Pat Simons @patsimons.bsky.social · 5d

Spain's wholesale electricity prices were 32% lower than the European average in the first half of 2025 -- thanks to wind and solar reducing the influence of costly fossil fuels on prices. ember-energy.org/latest-insig...

Decoupled: how Spain cut the link between gas and power prices using renewables | Ember

Spain has some of the lowest wholesale electricity prices in Europe, largely owing to the country’s strong solar and wind growth which reduced the influence of expensive coal and gas power on the elec...

ember-energy.org

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 5d

Nice reporting. That sure is an intense mugshot!

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 5d

Fair. However bus volumes in the city centre will quickly become a constraint. I do think the reverse can be true too, eg the NW busway programme has certainly got more urgency with the interim service blowing through all projections.

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Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland @patrickreynolds.bsky.social · 5d

From a VKT reduction PP.

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Reposted by Patrick Reynolds for a greater Auckland

Sam[uel] Smith @sgowsmith1988.bsky.social · 5d

One council candidate’s plan for this empty centre in downtown Auckland
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3608...

A plan has emerged for this empty centre in downtown Auckland

An Auckland Council candidate has backed a plan to move the Auckland Central Library to the Sky World centre.

www.stuff.co.nz

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