The Arts Centre's rejection of the Redux proposal places the Dux de Lux on a glide-path to demolition by neglect. They need to reconsider Redux's creative solution to reactivating this beloved hospitality landmark. My opinion piece for The Press. stuff.co.nz/the-press/cant…

The council elections have served up a crushing rejection of centralisation, and a swing away from the centre-left. In Christchurch, Mayor Phil Mauger may need to do some savvy horse-trading to drive forward with his agenda. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/national/polit…

The daily menace of youth offending around the bus exchange represents Christchurch's rotten core. The public drumbeat for high-visibility policing and routine patrols in the central city is only going to intensify. My opinion piece for The Press/ Stuff. stuff.co.nz/national/polit…

In the grips of an alarming youth crime wave in Christchurch, we need effective circuit-breakers to blunt the crime spike. A police air support unit & more discretion to pursue fleeing drivers. My opinion piece for The Press/ Stuff. stuff.co.nz/the-press/opin…

Starship Foundation's donation debacle has prompted me to scrutinise the charity industry & all the rival air ambulance services, out there. How many competing "national air ambulance services" does a small country really need? My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/130398…

One month on the job and the new Christchurch mayor has a plate load of problems to grapple with. The govts' density decree, stadium street upgrades and the potential rates blow-out. Here's my take on wrestling with these eels. stuff.co.nz/the-press/opin…

The rolling industrial action since Nov 11 by Ministry of Justice staff is a farcical obstruction to justice. The MOJ must bring this nonsense to and end and strike a swift settlement with court staff and court security staff. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/national/polit…

Is Christchurch going to allow a pack of pesky curmudgeons to knock the stuffing out of the city's live music and entertainment scene? Here's what the council needs to do. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/130805… #saveourvenues Dux Central

More trouble looming for Christchurch's hospitality sector. In addition to the spectre of the residential noise police, the Local Alcohol Policy could be a major battleground. Let's not knock the stuffing out of our hospo scene. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/130931…

Caretaker or game-changer? As much as he's saddled with the baggage of Labour's mediocre record of delivery, Chris Hipkins offers Labour hope with a fresh, corrective change of course. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/national/polit… #nzpol

Far too much front-line police resource is being gouged on non-core, non-criminal work. As a first step up, non-life threatening mental health callouts to 111 should be Health NZ's responsibility. Free up cops to combat crime. My opinion piece for Stuff. stuff.co.nz/the-press/opin…

The Christchurch compromise on the government's housing density directive. The modified plan is far more palatable, but it's far from perfect. My opinion piece for The Press/ Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/131414…

The future of the govt's Three Waters reform model. It's a pivotal day, as mayors meet at the Beehive. Will Labour read the room and restore local control, or press on with a dysfunctional, unaccountable model? My opinion piece for The Press/Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/131547… #nzpol

Reinstating passenger ferries between Chch & Welly is an absurd flight of fancy. 10 times the cost and 20 times as long as a flight. The focus instead should be getting more freight off the road and onto the water. My opinion piece for The Press/ Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/131611…

ChristchurchNZ's latest city branding caper has been mired by confusion, contradiction and public derision. The $100,000 spend-up is drivel dressed as gold. My opinion piece for The Press and Stuff. stuff.co.nz/the-press/cant…

The government has cocked a snoot to the far-reaching concerns about their shonky Three Waters reform model. Ploughing on with this ideological agenda to destined for the election battleground. My opinion piece for The Press/ Stuff. stuff.co.nz/opinion/300855… #nzpol #3waters

Marshmallow police leadership failed to cut the Parliament-bound convoy off at the pass, they failed their front-line officers and failed NZ in its time of need. My opinion piece for The Press/Stuff. stuff.co.nz/national/polit…

Robbing the police of a fair and decent pay deal is a political dead-end. The NZ Police Association have already won the PR war. Up the offer. My opinion piece is in The Press today. thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350216…

Mike Yardley: Forest treats & secluded retreats on the Gold Coast newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle/trav…

No reasonable person wants The Arts Centre to fold. But it needs to secure a self-sustaining, efficient operating model. Its multi-million dollar funding demands on the ratepayer are unjustified and unreasonable. My opinion piece is in The Press today. thepress.co.nz/nz-news/350231…