Imagining how cities and towns could be great places for people, especially kids. A thread. We live close to Wellington Zoo so my 2.5 year old has an annual pass and we often take him for a few hours on a weekend. As soon as we get inside, he takes off running. He can explore all he wants.

\thread\

The Government has done an excellent job containing the spread and negative impact of Covid-19 in Aotearoa NZ, now the focus on recovery must put climate and reduction of poverty/inequality front and centre. #nzpol The Labour Government has set child poverty reduction and climate action as priority goals - and there are fantastic opportunities to make great progress in these areas.

But it needs bold action, and a break with the status quo.

Wellington has so much going for it, and a huge number of people regularly taking the bus or train, and walking and cycling.

*thread* Yet anyone who has tried to take public transport knows it can be overcrowded, if you’re not over 65 it is expensive, and it isn’t as frequent on the weekend or in the evenings.

For anyone out there thinking “why not extend existing heavy rail to the airport?” in Auckland:

Winston Peter’s suggestion that a heavy rail spur from Puhinui would be less expensive and/or better for rail users is.... not correct. Firstly: one of the key benefits of a new line through the isthmus and Mangere is that it will add significant overall rail capacity to the city.

Not long after CRL opens, the existing heavy rail network (especially the southern line) will basically already be at capacity.

Since moving to Wellington earlier this year, I’ve been able to cycle to the airport when I have day trips. It’s been an absolute rediscovery for me of the joy and freedom of being able to use a bicycle for ordinary trips.
/thread/ The first time, I was going to Tauranga for a road safety visit at a school on SH2. It was just a day trip, and it looked like a sunny day, so I decided to try the bike.