The Regional Council has today given me the job of Transport Chair. My top priority is a reliable bus service and, to achieve that, I’ll have a laser-like focus on building up the driver workforce. I also want to make sure our transport network is accessible and affordable to everyone.
At the same time as we fix these immediate problems, we also need to prepare Wellington for the future. I’ll be working to accelerate delivery of mass transit through the city so that as Wellington grows we can all get around smoothly, safely and in clean, low emission way
Public transport is an essential public service. I am with the bus drivers. We, the public, are fed up with another bustastrophe. Bus drivers are essential workers who deserve to be treated well. They need priority recognition, fair and decent work conditions. Who of us can hang around waiting for a ‘job’ in a part time, split shift way, never quite knowing whether we will be home for tea, or working all weekend, or into the night, or whether our pay rate will be a decent one when we go the extra mile? That is not fair and will never make for a reliable service or sufficient numbers of drivers. What is more, we pay rates, taxes and fares so that we can have a reliable non polluting bus system. But we just do not have that.
Passengers travelling on Metlink services operated by NZ Bus experienced almost 70 last-minute cancellations on Wednesday. Metlink General Manager Scott Gallacher said the recent service from NZ Bus simply wasn’t good enough.
Metlink describes several of its bus routes as “high frequency”, commonly defined as a bus every 15 minutes or better from first bus to last bus, every day of the week. With frequency like that, people don’t need a timetable: it’s turn up and go.
Will the latest developments in planning a new Wellington bus system provide the rapid transit that was originally promised?
Our local bodies (the city council and the regional council, working with the Transport Agency) have chosen “two options” to be investigated for the development of “modern, faster public transport” for Wellington City. But the announcement reads as if they know nothing about the city’s layout. And as for cycleways, it’s obvious that till now these haven’t been given any consideration at all.
Bus Rapid Transit was to run between three interchanges, at the Railway Station, Wellington Regional Hospital and Kilbirnie. Now it looks too light for the job, which probably means light rail.
It’s taken an audit and a court case to uncover flaws in the organisation of two big companies which provide important services to Wellingtonians. One of the companies has admitted it was at fault. The other one (“we’re not perfect”) is denying responsibility.
“We’re not perfect,” says the CEO of NZ Bus, Zane Fulljames. This was after a second series of faults had been found in his Wellington buses.
His words (for some reason they remind me of the last scene in Some Like It Hot) are being widely repeated. But it’s no joke. It’s the second time his company has been shown to be less than perfect. In May, there were four weeks of disruptions after his buses were pink-stickered because they were unsafe. Wasn’t everything supposed to have been fixed by now?
The pedestrian crossings in Courtenay Place have always worked well without traffic lights, for cars as well as pedestrians. But not, according to bus drivers, for buses.
Now that all the money has been spent to make the CBD friendlier and faster for buses (and less attractive for pedestrians) the Regional Council has discovered that the result is: congestion. “At least 140 buses per hour in the morning and evening peak,” Councillor Glensor told us on Monday. “Resulting in significant jams and delays,” said Councillor Ponter five days earlier.
The council has also acknowledged, belatedly, that there are huge inefficiencies along the Golden Mile, caused by duplication of routes. And it has finally accepted what the rest of us have been seeing for months – what it delicately describes as the bunching effect of buses, particularly at Willis and Manners Streets. (Manners Street – where we were told that all problems would be fixed when buses were given priority.)
Kia ora St John’s whānau, I hope you’re keeping warm, as we feel the brink of snow! This Sunday we unpack the next two priorities of our Vision Refresh: Priority 5 – Discipleship: A Distinctive Community that Integrates Newcomers into Meaningful Pathways of Growth Priority 6 – Tradition and Innovation: Authenticity over Trend Our St J’s Kids and youth will start at 10am in the St John’s Centre in their peer groups. And then they will come across to the church so we can all celebrate the meal of Communion together. After the service we will all share morning tea and coffee in the St John’s Centre. And we have our final Souper Sunday of the winter season (see details below). If you can’t gather in the city, and you want to join the worship service via Zoom, here is the link to access the live-stream: Link to Zoom Service If using your phone: dial 04 886 0026 (Meeting ID: 370 260 759#, Passcode: 1560107#) This is the link to the printable Service Sheet: Printable Service Sheet OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT... SOUPER SUNDAY Souper Sunday is this Sunday (9th August). This will be the last Souper Sunday for the Winter. Please join us after morning tea for delicious hot soup. No charge but we would appreciate something small to have with our tea/coffee after soup. Thank you for your contribution. CREATION CARE Come and join in this tree planting with a team from Church on the afternoon of Sunday 9th August. Tawatawa Reserve in Owhiro Bay Meet at the Tawatawa sign board and map, just up the hill from the car park on Murchison Street. Please dress warmly, bring strong footwear that can get muddy, and gardening gloves if you have them. If rained off we will postpone to the 16th of August. PRESBYTERY GATHERING Twice a year, Presbytery Central holds their Gathering. We’re looking forward to gathering again as Presbytery Central on 15th August 2026, this time exploring what it means to be Presbyterian in today’s world. Centred on the theme Cooperation – working together, this Gathering will celebrate our shared identity, tell stories of collaboration from around the Presbytery, and consider how we can faithfully serve God’s mission together in Central New Zealand. We are honoured to welcome Right Rev Peter Dunn, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, as our keynote speaker. Peter will reflect on the strengths of our Presbyterian tradition and the opportunities before us as we seek to be churches that are connected, discerning, and hopeful. Throughout the day we’ll hear inspiring stories of cooperation between congregations, ministries, and communities, before concluding with a panel conversation featuring Peter, Rev Erin Pendreigh, and Rev Allister Lane, exploring what it means to be Presbyterian today and where God may be leading us next. Join us at St Alban’s, Palmerston North, from 10:30am on Saturday 15 August 2026, for a day of worship, encouragement, conversation, and vision as we reflect on Our Story. Our Calling. Our Future. Whether you’ve been part of the Presbyterian Church for decades or are newer to our community, this Gathering is an opportunity to reconnect, learn from one another, and be inspired for the journey ahead. Details and Registration SCOTS FOUNDERS SERVICE On Sunday 23rd August, 4pm we host the annual Founders Service with all our friends from the Scots College community. You are welcome to come and be part of this worship, as we celebrate the vision of those who started the Church Schools and for the enduring legacy of Christian influence in our city. RECITAL: ROSE LIGHT & GABRIEL BAIRD Monday, 24 August at 7:30pm at St Michael’s Anglican Church in Kelburn for a spectacular evening of chamber music. Rose studied violin in Wellington at the NZ School of Music prior to moving to Austria, returns for this recital alongside pianist Gabriel Baird. Time: Doors open at 7:00pm | Concert begins at 7:30pm Tickets: $35 Adult / $25 CSC & Under 24 (Cash sales may be available at the door) https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/rose-light-gabriel-baird-recital-wellington/wellington St Johns Church Camp is back! (Only happens every second year!) Join us 18–20 Sept at Forest Lakes, Ōtaki for two nights of faith, fun, connection, and relaxation. Expect: worship, Bible reflections, great chats, games, fully catered meals, awesome company, and unforgettable moments (including Dave Wood’s legendary bonfire). Take a break from the busyness of life, grow deeper in your faith, and connect with your church whānau. Don’t miss it! You can now register HERE Church Camp OFFICE HOURS St John’s Office is closed on Mondays. All functions of the office will be available the other working days of the week. Check out more of what’s happening at St John’s on the website: https://www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz/upcoming-events The St John’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Johns-In-The-City-Wellington-197057586974092/ The Facebook group created as a safe space just for our St J’s Whānau: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18qCo6CmJP/?mibextid=wwXIfr Mā te wā Allister
Above: Thumbs up to Ma’a Nonu, who will wear the #23 jersey for the Sharks against the All Blacks on Wednesday at 5.00am at Durban. Monday morning edition (updates expected): It’s school finals week in Wellington, with the schoolgirls finals at Porirua Park on Wednesday evening, Premier 2 and lower grade boys college finals at...
Wellington College were pushed hard by Rathkeale College in their Premiership First XV final today. They will meet St Pat’s Silverstream in next week’s final. More below. Photo: Andy McArthur. By Steven White, Scott MacLean & Adam Julian Wellington College and St Pat’s Silverstream will meet in next weekend’s Premiership final at Porirua Park following...
Imperial Service Order, Fellow Royal Geographic Society Our Great Grandfather James Stewart Mackenzie was born on March 10th 1849 in Edinburgh to David Stewart and Rebecca (nee Noble) Mackenzie. James...
