The Parnell train station fiasco, part II: hope
Remember the Parnell railway station problem? There’s another side to the story, writes Simon Wilson.
Simon Wilson
Simon Wilson is the editor of The Spinoff Auckland and a former editor of Metro and Cuisine.
Ten films not to miss at the Film Festival – and five ways to make the most of it
The film festival starts in Auckland on Thursday and follows soon after in other centres. Simon Wilson wanted to write about all the films he was keen on seeing but we told him that would fill up the internet, so here's his restrained response: ten films and five tips.
The Greens roar into election mode
The Greens had their annual conference this weekend: the perfect opportunity to provide the bold leadership and arresting policy they've been missing. Simon Wilson was there to find out if they took it.
The big dig: promises and problems with Auckland’s City Rail Link
Oh the suspense! The construction industry can hardly bear it: who will win the contract to dig the tunnels for New Zealand’s first underground railway? As for the rest of us, the question is: how good will it be? Simon Wilson went to see the project director to try to find out.
The seven enemies of the centre-left – and how to beat them
Fear not, Labour and the Greens: everything is possible. And here in one easy post, Simon Wilson sets it out: why life’s got so hard for them, who their enemies really are and what they can do to win.
The America’s Cup is Auckland’s Cup and the mayor must be its champion
Where's Phil? Eight months into his first term as mayor, Phil Goff hasn’t had any spectacular embarrassments and he hasn’t blown the budget. Is that good enough? Simon Wilson doesn't think so, and each day this week he’s got a challenge for the mayor. Here’s the first.
10 ways to make the most of hosting the America’s Cup
It's not about the sailing. Well, not only about that. Major sports events give cities the best chance they ever get to transform themselves – so, asks Simon Wilson, what will Auckland do?
Better Call Saul: an end and a new beginning
With season three of Better Call Saul just finished, Jimmy and Kim have their own terrible futures to confront. Simon Wilson revisits his favourite programme (well, one of them). Contains some very cryptic spoilers.
‘I have not quantified the benefits’: the astonishing truth about NZ’s most expensive road ever
Remember that proposed new highway from Penrose to Onehunga, the East-West Link, set to cost close to $2 billion? Turns out no one has worked out, using current figures, if it's worth the money – and it's most likely no one ever will. And it's not clear if the responsible ministers even know this.
A daytime soap set to glorious music: in praise of the ridiculous, sublime Carmen
Opera – especially an opera like Carmen – is the world turned upside down: being good makes you miserable and being in love is a sure portent of doom. And it’s fabulous, says Simon Wilson.
