urban planner, educator, transport nerd, data geek, dad
Tim Welch
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When the government releases its budget later today and undoubtedly puts more money towards roads while putting less money into public transport and no money into cycling or walking, remember that driving is the only mode of transportation that is both currently and historically falling in Auckland.
I frequently read OIA requests and responses (related to transport and infrastructure) and see all kinds of things, but this (unrelated) one made me laugh. And the genuine response is just as good.
"Why did someone look at my LinkedIn?"
Gotta love public records!
$15b in weather losses over the past decade. Moa Point dumped 70m litres of raw sewage into Wellington Harbour. Groundwater contamination is rising. Half our rivers are unsafe to swim.
Budget 2026 drops water spend from $127m (2026) → $35m (2027) → $5m/yr (2028–30).
Make it make sense.
We're in the midst of the worst oil crisis in history and the government's new budget is dedicating $1.8 billion to a single highway while taking $2.5m from public transport bus decarbonisation to fund underground utility maintenance.
Sometimes you see something cool, and you want it for yourself.
Inspired by Anthony Castrio's nyc-cartogram, I made an Auckland version: drop a pin and the city is redrawn by public-transport travel time instead of distance, with a couple more modes and a few extra features.
warp.tfwelch.com
An infuriating analysis from @tfwelch.com of how the Budget reflects transport priorities. 3/4 of new capital spending to roading, and most of that to *one road*. Zero new investment in walking and cycling. Fuel excise relief signalled, but not PT fare relief. theconversation.com/as-global-fu...
Budget 2026 hierarchy: roads first, rail a distant second, general public transport, walking and cycling nowhere.
$150m goes to fuel supply, but basically nothing to reducing oil dependence.
My latest: theconversation.com/as-global-fu...
“In our biggest cities... if we can encourage people to use public transport more, that will reduce pressure on fuel demand that can be used for people who don't have public transport options available."
Featuring our own Matt Lowrie (and wise words from @tfwelch.com): www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...
From the Archives : Poverty 2012 and 2021
The council should not be jeopardising millions of dollars of government funding on the basis of such a flawed review. This review set out to kill investment in our public spaces, and it's tried to achieve that by fudging the numbers
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3610...
