My latest Newsroom column warns of the risks associated with a poor understanding of recovery - we have had multiple reviews on the Cyclone Gabrielle response - this one says we also need an urgent focus on recovery

My Newsroom column talks about importance of #PandemicAgreement based on principles of equity, sovereignty, and prevention, preparedness & response, and to safeguard future generations - still being discussed at World Health Assembly World Health Organization (WHO)

To see Kowhai bloom on 1 June makes no sense to me at all, but it’s beautiful all the same.

My latest Newsroom column highlights what we can learn from the experiences that others have gone through. This is a climate issue, a seismic issue and it is a burning issue in more ways than one newsroom.co.nz/2024/06/12/lea…

My latest column

An important message that explains why a legal duty of candour is needed: when let down by the state, the least to expect is that they will learn from what went wrong. Sadly the long fight for justice through inquests and inquiries often leads to little or no change in policy.

My latest Newsroom column says there’s a very necessary first step before this next review of earthquake prone buildings gets underway. That is a collaborative analysis of the current test. Only then will the problem definition become clear. And won’t take another two years!

My latest Newsroom column introduces the work of the Koi Tū Forum - informedfutures.org. Deliberative or participatory democracy is a way people with different world views and diverse opinions can come together to shape a shared future

Alpine fault EQ happens around every 300yrs. Last one 1717. It’s not if but when! My Newsroom column says we need to prepare for recovery as well as response - af8.org.nz. Think of a sprint vs a marathon - preparation is different & we need to start now.

My Newsroom column says another wake-up call reminds us how important it is to be prepared- not so much as individuals but as communities

Another siloed review of Cyclone Gabrielle: If I sound a little frustrated, it is because I am in my Newsroom column. This review is different though - it proves what happens when we fail to learn lessons from the past newsroom.co.nz/2024/07/31/cyc…

I love Kowhai - makes me think of spring

Listening to the fabulous Ruth Shaw author of The Bookseller at the End of the World at Tūranga Christchurch City Council library allenandunwin.co.nz/browse/book/Bo…

On the way to catch a bus to University of Canterbury for my first class of the week and the lights put a special shine on one of the two Stay statues #SirAntonyGormley Antony Gormley news

Just listened to this fascinating discussion podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the… It all started with I Pencil!

My Newsroom column says that reading what had been written in 2012 alongside what was written after Cyclone Gabrielle, I realise how much decision-makers have let down our defence personnel, as well as the communities they sought to help

Fascinating interview The Aspen Institute Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present youtube.com/live/7vO6DolG6… via YouTube

My latest Newsroom column makes the case for a fully integrated approach to readiness, response, recovery and (risk) reduction. They go hand in hand as we seek to prepare ourselves for whatever lies ahead having learned the lessons of prior experience

Central government must work collaboratively with local government. Collectively we need to value ‘soft infrastructure’ that makes cities & towns great places to live. Absence of local input shows when we read Cabinet papers dia.govt.nz/Proactive-Rele…

Good reminder from #Kaikoura this morning at the #WhyNotCafe - we don’t want to be a cashless society