Tag Archives: Christchurch

City in a box

Posted on 29th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

It was meant to be the ‘City in a Park’. But, according to a Press editorial, a lot of people in Christchurch have taken a look at the future and they don’t like what they see: The artists’ impressions of … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, Free Market, Human Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Disdaining democracy

Posted on 25th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

All those years ago – you know, way back when John Key wasn’t the Prime Minister – the populace, so we found out, was getting restless. Its main complaint about the government of the day was that it was ‘off … Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

California dreaming

Posted on 22nd Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

If the future form of Christchurch’s central city now hangs in the balance, the outcome will depend upon the weightings given to two quite distinct sets of ‘instincts’ about how to create a vibrant, sustainable, thriving city centre. One set … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, Freedom, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses – Update

Posted on 20th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

If confirmation were needed that “putting to one side” volume 2 of the Central City Plan is because the rules and regulations in them will be neutered, then here it is. Jo Kane on CTV’s ‘One on One‘ interview programme … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Devils, details, dark arts and Trojan horses

Posted on 19th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

Allow me a Cassandra moment. Like the Trojans in the midst of a decades long war, living in Christchurch is, for many people, an experience with precious little long-term hope. Many people have, however, invested a good deal of hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Christchurch’s Second Coming

Posted on 8th Apr, 2012 by Puddleglum

“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last Slouches toward [Christchurch] to be born?” The ground is now being prepared for the future incarnation of Christchurch. What comes our way will bear the marks and influences of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Fascism, Freedom, Human Wellbeing, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A lesson about community

Posted on 4th Mar, 2012 by Puddleglum

Who would have thought that, in the saga that is the ‘recovery’ of Christchurch, it would be the Anglican Church that would give us the clearest example of the emptiness of modern expressions of ‘community’? When push came to shove … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, Free Market, Human Wellbeing, National Identity, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Not aspiring to a spire?

Posted on 2nd Mar, 2012 by Puddleglum

The earthquake has turned everything upside down. The Wizard is at war with the Anglican Church – and I’m in agreement with Councillor Jamie Gough. Whatever happened to life’s eternal certainties? Looks like we’d better not ask Bishop Matthews – she … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Economics, New Zealand Politics, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Not aspiring to a spire?

No ordinary day

Posted on 22nd Feb, 2012 by Puddleglum

Today has not been an ordinary day. But then neither was this day a year ago, nor many days in between. I went to the earthquake Memorial Service in North Hagley Park with my wife and daughter. We left early … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, Human Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

(Communication) Breakdown?

Posted on 23rd Jan, 2012 by Puddleglum

It was all too predictable. After voting for a controversial 14.4%, $68,000, backdated salary increase for its ‘CEO’, Tony Marryatt, a few weeks before Christmas, the Christchurch City Council – or, more precisely, Mayor Bob Parker and Tony Marryatt himself … Continue reading →

Posted in Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments