Brent Barrett

A better idea than rates caps to tackle councils’ performance OPINION: There are other options for the Government if it wants to sustainably lift local government’s performance and meet wider economic objectives.

Excellent contribution from New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom.

Lots to gain from benchmarking in local government.

Lots of risks with rate capping.

Well said Neil.

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3606...

Cathartic experience. Spoke to my submission on Coalition Govt’s Treaty Principles Bill today. Five recommendations. 1 Withdraw the Bill. 2 Apologise to New Zealanders. 3 Apologise to Māori. 4 Apologise to King Charles. 5 Prime Minister to acknowledge this Bill too high a price for power.

Members of NZ's Latin American community shocked, offended by NZ First MPs' comments Winston Peters and Shane Jones' comments during a debate raise "huge red flags" for the community, leaders say.

When the Ambassador does what the Prime Minister should have. His leadership failures are becoming unnervingly routine.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

The $1667 chasm between Wellington rates plan and reality ANALYSIS: Each decade councils plan how much they are going to charge in rates. The difference between reality and plans in one Wellington house would mean a return flight to Southeast Asia. Have your...

Fair point. Throughout Aotearoa, Local Government needs to do a much better job indicating costs beyond the three year window. In related news, we continue to be the OECD outlier with by far the lowest share of public money vested in local control.

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3605...

Deeply Dystopian Day.

Trump 2.0 kicks off. Musk salutes.

If by ‘end the decline of America’ POTUS meant ‘begin the implosion’ then we’re off to a very fine start indeed.

A day that will live in infamy.

And here at home, Luxon & Co (checks notes) wants to ‘deepen ties’.

Beyond belief!

Nice to see student numbers building at UCOL. Already over 1,000 students registered in Palmy. Includes 100s of international learners. Developing the skills and the people our city needs to thrive. All the best for the year ahead.

bsky.app/profile/spok... Massive!

bsky.app/profile/mpr....

Thrilled to visit the renewed Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui today.

Wonderfully strengthened blend of Māori and non-Māori worlds expressed in art.

A beautifully framed Ruapehu maunga from the new wing.

And a powerful reminder of what philanthropy can achieve over time.

I do love visiting Taranaki. Always feel close to nature when I’m here, and enjoy waterfront and green spaces laced through the urban zone. A brisk southerly kept it cool, but still got a dip in the ocean!

From nuts to kelp: The 'carbon-negative' foods that help reverse climate change Eating low-carbon foods helps reduce emissions, but some foods actually suck up carbon from the atmosphere for good, leaving the climate in a better place. Could we eat more of them?

Blueberries. Kelp. More reason to like. Maybe not in the same bite…

www.bbc.com/future/artic...

Stoked that 2024 saw us crack 125,000 bike crossing on He Ara Kotahi bridge in Palmy.

Build it and they will ride!

A new year, and I’ll be exploring new spaces in our social media ecosystem.

1 January proving quiet in Te Papioea Palmerston North, after the good vibes of big crowds for New Years celebrations in Te Marae o Hine The Square. Complete with not one but two fireworks displays.