Nine To Noon Around the motu: Simon Wilson in Auckland
Mar 29, 2026
Simon Wilson, an Auckland-based Listener columnist who covers transport and public-space policy. He talks about the Queen Street car vs pedestrian changes and a controversial night trial. He outlines the Papatoetoe by-election backstory. He contrasts proposals for Western Springs and a boutique stadium. He notes a 30% rise in bus patronage and two new cycleways.
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Night Trial Could Undo Queen Street Gains
- Queen Street car restrictions changed pedestrian dynamics and shopping patterns.
- Closing the block near the Civic hugely reduced through-traffic and ticketing, and reopening nights risks reviving hoon behaviour but aids pick-up/drop-off.
Use PUDO Plans Not Street Reopenings
- Prioritise existing pick-up/drop-off plans before reopening streets to general traffic.
- Auckland Transport already has a pick-up/drop-off plan and the Civic underground car park (nearly 1,000 spaces) serves big venues.
Postal Fraud Forces Papatoetoe Ōtara By-Election
- Papatoetoe-Ōtara local board needs a by-election after postal vote fraud was found.
- Newcomers had won in October but courts found some votes stolen from letterboxes, so a fresh postal ballot runs until April 9.