Tag: Simeon Brown
National launches its $24b election transport policy
The National Party's $24 billion 'Transport for the Future' infrastructure policy includes fully funding the Eastern Busway project and the construction of new major...
$850,000 for Eastern Busway’s ‘unwanted’ raised crossings
Auckland Transport (AT) will spend $850,000 to install "unwanted" raised pedestrian crossings as part of the Eastern Busway public transport project.
More than 2400 people...
Nicola Willis delivers National’s election pitch to seniors
National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis has delivered her party’s election pitch to several hundred residents at an east Auckland retirement complex.
Willis, who is...
National unveils $500m pothole repair fund
The National Party will establish a $500 million fund to fix potholes on New Zealand’s roads if elected to Government at this year’s general...
MP launches petition to raise speed limits
A petition has been launched calling for speed limits on three of east Auckland's busiest roads to be raised.
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown created the...
Point View Primary nabs top spot in chess comp
The Point View A team won the East Auckland Primary Interschools Chess Competition hosted at Point View Primary School last Tuesday.
Willowbank Primary School A...
School’s building scoops major architecture award
An east Auckland school's eye-catching new classroom block has earned a major architecture award.
The $13 million Alan McIntyre Centre at Owairoa Primary School in...
Simeon Brown and wife Rebecca welcome baby boy
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown and his wife Rebecca have welcomed the newest member of their family with their arrival of the couple’s first son.
Baby...
$280k for ‘unnecessary’ raised pedestrian crossings in village
About $280,000 may be spent to install two raised pedestrian crossings in Howick village.
The Howick Village Association (HVA) opposes the Auckland Transport (AT) proposal...
Men charged with conspiracy to murder
Police have laid charges in relation to a spate of gang shootings across the city, including in east Auckland, in May last year.
The violence...
Labour suggests people have shorter showers to cut costs
The Labour Government is rolling out a public information campaign aimed at encouraging Kiwis to take action to keep their homes warm and dry...
Suspects charged over ram-raid, assault, robbery
Police have made arrests in relation to multiple incidents involving theft and violence in east Auckland.
Three people are before the courts over an alleged...
Thousands sign petition opposing ‘speed bumps’ on Ti Rakau Drive
More than 2400 people have signed a petition calling for a plan to install raised crossings on Ti Rakau Drive as part of the...
National’s plan to address urgent nursing shortage
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Our health system has been falling apart on Labour's watch and this is no better illustrated than by...
Pakuranga Plaza ram-raided
More east Auckland retailers are repairing the damage caused to their businesses during the latest ram-raids carried out in east Auckland.
Police say they’re investigating...
Brown attacks Labour’s record as Ardern retires
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown has labelled the Labour Government "arrogant, entitled, and tired" during a blistering attack on its track record.
Brown was the first...
Officials say raised pedestrian crossings will save lives
A plan to install raised pedestrian platforms on a busy east Auckland road sparked heated opposition at a public meeting held to discuss the...
Sod turned on final stage of Eastern Busway
Work on the final stage of east Auckland's largest public transport project is now under way and it will take about four years to...
MP labels raised crossings for Ti Rakau Drive ‘crazy’
East Aucklanders are being asked to back a petition and attend a public meeting to voice their opposition to a plan to install raised...
Residents fed up with noisy neighbours
Gill Court has been battling for more than a year to have loud nightly noise at a neighbouring property dealt with and she says...
National vows to raise standards for school pupils
The National Party will rewrite the school curriculum to raise educational standards for Kiwi pupils should it be elected to Government at this year's...
Children caught after Howick liquor store raided by thieves
A group of children, including one who’s just 10 years old, were caught by police after allegedly stealing items from an east Auckland store.
The...
Brown: Hipkins’ fix for consultancy blowout – send a memo
Chris Hipkins thinks that fixing the Labour Government’s addiction to spending on expensive consultants is as simple as sending a memo, National’s Public Service...
Police hope new station will deter criminal activity
The officer in charge of the new Howick Police station says he hopes its presence will help to deter people from breaking the law...
Ormiston Fields development boost for first-home buyers
The Government is adding to east Auckland's housing stock by partnering with Fletcher Residential to build more than 150 new homes in Flat Bush.
A...
Labour must scrap blanket speed limit reductions
Pressure from National and communities up and down the country might soon force Minister of Transport Michael Wood to slam the brakes on his...
Luxon praises cyclone response
Christopher Luxon says the community-led response to Cyclone Gabrielle shows Kiwis “at their best”.
The Botany MP and National Party leader visited the Civil Defence...
Bridge’s lane markings cause confusion
Faulty lane markings on a busy east Auckland bridge resulted in numerous near-misses for motorists and assurances are being sought the problem is fixed...
COMMENT: Kiwis need better roads, not slower roads
By Simeon Brown
Happy New Year! 2023 has well and truly started and while the weather hasn't been that great, I do hope you have...
Confusion over blank speed limit signs
Blanked out speed limit signs on roads across east Auckland are causing confusion but the agency responsible says it's followed the correct process.
Auckland Transport...
Simeon Brown picks up major roles in National Party reshuffle
Botany MP and National party leader Christopher Luxon has announced a reshuffle of his Parliamentary caucus in preparation for this year's general election.
He says...
Brown slams NZTA phone delays
Figures released to Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown show the time people spent waiting to speak on the phone with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency...
Brown slams vandals who damaged MPs’ offices
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is slamming the actions of people who recently defaced the offices of several Members of Parliament.
Brown, the National Party's transport...
New Howick Police station opens its doors
The new Howick Police station has officially opened its doors to the public after a 10-month wait.
Police were forced to move from their previous...
Controversial crossing plan canned
Auckland Transport (AT) has scrapped a controversial plan to install a $450,000 raised pedestrian crossing on Pakuranga Road.
The agency announced earlier this year it...
A tough year for Kiwis and a well-deserved break
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
With Christmas around the corner, it's a good time to reflect on the year that has gone and...
Eastern Busway gets $200m funding injection
The Government has announced it's putting an extra $200 million into construction of the Eastern Busway public transport project.
Once completed, the busway will provide...
MP’s bill would penalise disruptive protesters
A member's bill in the name of Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown would create a new criminal offence of damaging or obstructing State Highways and...
AT set to reveal plan for raised crossing
Auckland Transport (AT) will soon reveal whether or not it's going ahead with a proposal to construct a $450,000 raised pedestrian crossing on a...
Thank you to all!
Howick and districts 175th anniversary highlight events have been a great success.
The community luncheon was a full house, with a wonderful cross section of...
Residents celebrate victory in fight to save public reserve
A passionate east Auckland community has come together to celebrate winning the fight to maintain public ownership of its much-loved local reserve.
About 100 people...
Tomato grow-off turns into fierce rivalry
What started out as a friendly, morale-boosting community competition has turned into a fierce battle to be crowned the first Apothecary tomato growing champion.
A...
175th anniversary plaque unveiled
Opposition leader and Botany MP Christopher Luxon, left, and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown unveiled the Howick 175th plaque at Fencible Walk Park on Picton...
$20k in fines handed out to T2 lane users
More than $20,000 in fines has been issued to motorists unlawfully using a transit lane on a busy east Auckland road.
That's among the information...
Millions spent on emergency housing
The Labour Government spent almost $3 million providing emergency housing to people in east Auckland in the six months from March to August this...
More than 269,000 bus trips cancelled in Auckland
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is calling out the Labour Government over what he says is its inaction to address Auckland’s ongoing public transport crisis.
Brown,...
Simeon Brown confirmed as general election candidate
The National Party has re-selected incumbent Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown as its candidate for the electorate at next year's general election.
Brown was first elected...
Bishop says Labour to blame for economic woes
National Party MP Chris Bishop says the Government is to blame for New Zealand's high inflation rate and he expects the country's economic outlook...
Grocery store ram-raided
An east Auckland wholefoods store has been targeted by offenders for the second time in two months.
Bin Inn was one of five businesses at...
Light and Burns to lead local board
Members of the new Howick Local Board have been sworn in and they've chosen two fresh faces to lead them for the next three...
COMMENT: New leadership for Auckland
By Simeon Brown
Auckland has a new mayor, Wayne Brown, and a new majority centre-right council following the recent local elections, the first time Auckland...
Alliance to deliver busway’s next stage
The Eastern Busway public transport project has moved another step toward completion with the agreement for delivery of its next stage being awarded.
The next...
Busway continues to take shape
The agreement for delivery of the next stage of the Eastern Busway public transport project has been awarded.
The project’s next stage between Pakuranga Town...
$500,000 spent per month on housing grants
It has taken six months and counting for questions relating to public housing in east Auckland to be answered.
In early April the Times asked Kainga...
National launches anti-pothole campaign
People fed up with the deteriorating state of local roads are being asked to highlight the problem by exposing the worst potholes in the...
Owairoa opens new classrooms
After beginning the project more than three years ago, Owairoa Primary School has officially opened its new 18-classroom block.
The celebration of the new development...
Speed limits being slashed on local roads
Motorists using numerous local roads will need to ease up on the accelerator with speed limits set to fall as part of a campaign...
Officials hear opposition to controversial crossing
About 90 per cent of the people who submitted feedback on a controversial plan to install a pedestrian crossing on a busy east Auckland...
Ribbon cut for Ormiston Medical Centre
After months of delays due to Covid-19, the ribbon for the official opening of a local medical centre has been cut by the Associate...
Public meeting on $450,000 crossing
A public meeting is being held to discuss the proposed construction of a controversial $450,000 pedestrian crossing on east Auckland's busiest road.
As the Times...
Thieves break into five Howick businesses
Local community leaders have been quick to condemn the actions of a group of people who allegedly broke into five east Auckland businesses.
A police...
Youth MPs calling out Government inaction
Budding young east Auckland politicians have seized the chance to quiz the Government about major issues including housing affordability and mental health.
Three local teenagers...
Disabled youth forum is born
An east Aucklander is creating a disabled youth forum to raise awareness about various disabilities, have a safe and inclusive environment to share viewpoints...
National says police hamstrung by Government policy
The National Party’s police spokesperson says frontline officers want to crack down harder on gangs but are being hamstrung by a Government that wants...
Chess champs prepare for Olympiad
The New Zealand women's champion put on a fine performance in a chess challenge in Howick at the weekend.
To support the FIDE Year of...
Chen blames National for loss of East Care overnight service
An east Auckland-based Labour MP says underfunding of the health system by the previous National Government is to blame for the closing of east...
Medical services facing ‘perfect storm’
More than a year after east Auckland's only local overnight medical service closed, it's yet to be replaced and it appears unlikely to be...
Sunnyhills slime success
Who doesn't want to slime their principal?
Sunnyhills School principal Justine Driver stepped up for a jumpathon and slime event fundraiser on Friday.
The school is...
National’s deputy leader says New Zealand can do better
Nicola Willis says voters will have a clear choice at the next general election between an incumbent Labour Government that’s taking New Zealand “backwards”...
2000 plants dug in
There have been two very successful planting days at the Mangemangeroa Reserve.
The first was with Forest and Bird on June 11 which was at...
$450,000 for proposed crossing
A pedestrian crossing Auckland Transport (AT) is proposing to build across one of the country's busiest roads is set to cost almost $500,000 if...
Vote moves public reserves closer to sale
By Chris Harrowell and Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter, Funded by New Zealand on Air
Auckland Council has moved one step closer to being...
Top cop fronts public meeting on crime
There's been an influx of gang members into east Auckland in recent years and dealing with their offending is impacting police resources.
That's among the...
Skaters flock to new halfpipe
Dozens of skateboarders and scooter riders turned out to try to land some tricks on a newly constructed halfpipe in east Auckland.
It's been constructed...
MP blames gang shootings on “soft-on-crime” approach
Gang warfare is spreading into east Auckland with two houses in Flat Bush and Mellons Bay being shot at by armed offenders in recent...
Controversial crossing labelled “crazy”
By James Ball, AUT University journalism student
A plan to install a raised pedestrian crossing on one of east Auckland's busiest roads is being met...
Healthcare reforms will fail, Reti says
The current Government's move towards centralising healthcare and abolishing the District Health Boards (DHBs) will fail for several reasons, a National MP says.
National Party...
Rugby club rebranded as community sports facility
Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) has undergone a transformation and will now be the nexus of multiple sporting codes.
The club last week formally unveiled...
$86.5m package to boost driver licensing
The Government has announced it's making it easier for Kiwis to access driver licensing and training through an $86.5 million investment over four years...
Police reveal location of new Howick station
Counties Manukau East Police have kept their promise to open a new base for their six community officers in Howick.
Area commander, inspector Scott Gemmell,...
Ukrainians kick-start campaign
Two Ukrainian-born New Zealanders are organising a campaign to raise donations and supplies for the civilians and children in their home country.
Dr Elena Artyukh,...
Government votes down gang-funding ban bill
The Government has voted down a bill sponsored by Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown that would have banned taxpayers' money being given to gangs.
Brown's Public...
MP wants ban on public money going to gangs
A proposed law change sponsored by an east Auckland politician would prohibit the Government and its agencies from providing funding to organisations run or...
MP calls to axe regional fuel tax
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown is criticising the Labour Government for leaving more than $300 million raised from the Auckland regional fuel tax unspent.
Brown, the...
Share your opinion on road safety
People who want to see speed limits on numerous east Auckland roads lowered in an effort to increase safety have until April 3 to...
Call for more RATs community collection sites out east
There's just one community collection site in east Auckland where people can collect free rapid antigen tests (RATs) for Covid-19.
That compares to five such...
Budding politician speaking up for youth
Maya McNeill is taking her love of debating big issues such as abortion and euthanasia with family and friends all the way to Parliament.
Pakuranga...
MP defends KiwiBuild’s record
A Government MP based in east Auckland is defending the Labour Party's record when it comes to building new homes in the local community.
Botany-based...
Police station closed with blessing
The Howick Police station has been formally closed before being shipped off to its new home.
The building sits on land in Moore Street owned...
MP: We’re being fleeced at petrol pump by Govt
Aucklanders will be angered to learn that despite paying over half a billion dollars in Regional Fuel Tax (RFT), less than half of that...
Campaigners fume over change to hearings
People fighting the proposed sale of east Auckland public reserves are angry they now won't be able to express their view over a key...
Police close to finding new home
Police say they're making good progress in finding a new building to permanently house the six Howick-based community officers.
The building currently serving as the...
Ambulance station burglary unsolved
Police are making a fresh appeal to the public for information in an effort to identify who broke into an east Auckland ambulance station...
Scant choice for KiwiBuild hopefuls out east
People hoping to get onto the property ladder by buying one of the Government's KiwiBuild homes in east Auckland will find slim pickings in...
‘Looking forward to my new roles in 2022’
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Happy New Year! I hope you've had a chance over the summer to take a break with family...
MP: Wood wasting millions on Hillside rail yards
New Zealanders are fast getting used to Michael Wood's profligate spending, with $85 million to revive rail workshops in Dunedin just the latest instalment,...
Luxon vows to keep fighting for Botany
He became the National Party's leader after just a year in politics and now Botany MP Christopher Luxon is vowing he won't forget about...
Luxon shakes up National’s line-up
Botany MP and new National Party leader Christopher Luxon has announced a reshuffle of his MPs' portfolios and parliamentary rankings.
He says the new party...
Prison violence continues to grow under Labour
By Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga
Since Labour first took power in 2017, the number of assaults on corrections officers by prisoners has nearly...
Luxon takes the reins
Just one year after entering Parliament as the new MP for Botany, former Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon is the new leader...
