Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings was thrilled to host Charlie and Craig Reid of The Proclaimers live in the studio today. 

John talked to the Scottish legends about their musical journey, the new album 'Dentures Out', and their concert tonight in Christchurch, which is part of their biggest New Zealand tour to date. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Newstalk ZB's Canterbury Mornings was thrilled to host Charlie and Craig Reid of The Proclaimers live in the studio today. 
John talked to the Scottish legends about their musical journey, the new album 'Dentures Out', and their concert tonight in Christchurch, which is part of their biggest New Zealand tour to date. 
LISTEN ABOVE

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio.

With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector.

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

The Proclaimers: Rock duo on their musical journey, new album, and the Christchurch concert

First we had roads of significance. Now we have roads of insignificance. 

And top of the list is Brougham Street, in Christchurch, with this decision by the Government to pull the plug on a $90 million upgrade of what would have to be one of the most congested and dangerous roads in the city.

Because, up until yesterday, it was all-go. It was due to be underway by the end of the year and would have meant there’d be an overbridge for pedestrians and cyclists, lanes for car-pooling and buses and motorbikes, and a shared pedestrian-cycle path.  

And I don’t think anyone here would disagree that it’s desperately needed. Because even though, technically, it’s a road more often than not it’s a car park, isn’t it?

Not that that’s a concern for the Government. You know, the government that likes to bang on about getting people moving, doing away with stupid speed limits, lifting productivity, but, at the same time, decides it’s a yeah-nah for Brougham Street.

Not surprisingly, there is a lot of anger. And justifiably so. There are a few city councillors, for example, saying today that it just shows that the Government has forgotten about the South Island and is giving higher priority to North Island roads.

Now, normally, I’m not one that buys into that whole North versus South thing. But, when it comes to this one, I agree. If the Government hasn’t forgotten about us, then it’s certainly turned its back on us with this decision which seems to have taken people completely by surprise.

I see Labour MP Megan Woods is saying it’s a “slap in the face” for Christchurch. She’s particularly concerned about the kids going to-and-from Addington Primary School. Because, as part of the upgrade, there would have been an overbridge to get them across the road safely.

She’s saying it’s not a luxury to ask for a safe crossing to get primary-aged children across a major state highway with trucks barrelling down it. And she’s right.

Because Brougham Street is part of State Highway 76 and it’s a key link for freight going to-and-from the port at Lyttelton. That’s why there are so many trucks on it, let alone the cars.

Guess how many vehicles go up and down Brougham Street on your average day? 45,000. That includes 4,500 freight vehicles and trucks. 

There is a crossing the Addington Primary School kids can use but parents are saying it’s frightening, given the volume of traffic, especially with all the trucks.

So, the overbridge would have been a game changer in terms of pedestrian safety. Now, though, the kids are going to have to keep crossing the road, which the principal at Addington Primary is “hugely disappointed” by. Donna Bilas says it’s only going to get worse, and more dangerous, with increased housing density and more kids on the roll. And she’s spot-on.

Another thing about this decision by the Government that people are commenting on is that, even though the upgrade itself isn’t happening this year —as it was supposed to be— it's still going to be spending $20 million on work behind the scenes to get the upgrade to what’s called “pre-implementation” stage. 

NZTA says it’s doing that so the upgrade can be “delivery ready” in the future “subject to affordability”. So, there you go. That’s what a $20 million sop sounds like. 

Because do you really think the Brougham Street upgrade is going to go anywhere anytime soon? Of course, it’s not. 

Which is why I agree with Megan Woods that it’s a slap in the face for Christchurch. Why I agree with the principal at Addington Primary that it’s hugely disappointing. And why I agree with a cycling advocate in the news today who is saying that the Government is focused on Auckland-centric policies at the expense of the South Island.

First we had roads of significance. Now we have roads of insignificance.  
And top of the list is Brougham Street, in Christchurch, with this decision by the Government to pull the plug on a $90 million upgrade of what would have to be one of the most congested and dangerous roads in the city. 
Because, up until yesterday, it was all-go. It was due to be underway by the end of the year and would have meant there’d be an overbridge for pedestrians and cyclists, lanes for car-pooling and buses and motorbikes, and a shared pedestrian-cycle path.   
And I don’t think anyone here would disagree that it’s desperately needed. Because even though, technically, it’s a road more often than not it’s a car park, isn’t it? 
Not that that’s a concern for the Government. You know, the government that likes to bang on about getting people moving, doing away with stupid speed limits, lifting productivity, but, at the same time, decides it’s a yeah-nah for Brougham Street. 
Not surprisingly, there is a lot of anger. And justifiably so. There are a few city councillors, for example, saying today that it just shows that the Government has forgotten about the South Island and is giving higher priority to North Island roads. 
Now, normally, I’m not one that buys into that whole North versus South thing. But, when it comes to this one, I agree. If the Government hasn’t forgotten about us, then it’s certainly turned its back on us with this decision which seems to have taken people completely by surprise. 
I see Labour MP Megan Woods is saying it’s a “slap in the face” for Christchurch. She’s particularly concerned about the kids going to-and-from Addington Primary School. Because, as part of the upgrade, there would have been an overbridge to get them across the road safely. 
She’s saying it’s not a luxury to ask for a safe crossing to get primary-aged children across a major state highway with trucks barrelling down it. And she’s right. 
Because Brougham Street is part of State Highway 76 and it’s a key link for freight going to-and-from the port at Lyttelton. That’s why there are so many trucks on it, let alone the cars. 
Guess how many vehicles go up and down Brougham Street on your average day? 45,000. That includes 4,500 freight vehicles and trucks.  
There is a crossing the Addington Primary School kids can use but parents are saying it’s frightening, given the volume of traffic, especially with all the trucks. 
So, the overbridge would have been a game changer in terms of pedestrian safety. Now, though, the kids are going to have to keep crossing the road, which the principal at Addington Primary is “hugely disappointed” by. Donna Bilas says it’s only going to get worse, and more dangerous, with increased housing density and more kids on the roll. And she’s spot-on. 
Another thing about this decision by the Government that people are commenting on is that, even though the upgrade itself isn’t happening this year —as it was supposed to be— it's still going to be spending $20 million on work behind the scenes to get the upgrade to what’s called “pre-implementation” stage.  
NZTA says it’s doing that so the upgrade can be “delivery ready” in the future “subject to affordability”. So, there you go. That’s what a $20 million sop sounds like.  
Because do you really think the Brougham Street upgrade is going to go anywhere anytime soon? Of course, it’s not.  
Which is why I agree with Megan Woods that it’s a slap in the face for Christchurch. Why I agree with the principal at Addington Primary that it’s hugely disappointing. And why I agree with a cycling advocate in the news today who is saying that the Government is focused on Auckland-centric policies at the expense of the South Island.

John MacDonald: This could be NZ's first road of insignificance

People are getting very excited - not in a good way - this plan in Auckland to start charging people 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week to park their cars in the CBD.

Apparently, mayor Wayne Brown isn’t even happy about it. But I don’t know why. I think it’s a great idea and I think we should be doing it in Christchurch.

Now, when I say I think it’s great, I’m not saying I love paying money to park. Who does?

But I think we’re getting to the point where we can’t avoid doing what Auckland is doing. And I’ll tell you why.

For starters, in Christchurch, have you seen the never-ending line of people with their hands out to the council for money?

Example - In the news today, we’ve got the people behind the restoration of the jetty at Governor's Bay wanting more money from the council. This is all part of the Long-Term Plan process, where councils put their budget together for the next ten years.

So, today it’s the jetty people. Who else have we got wanting more money from the Council?

There’s Orana Park... the Arts Centre... they’re just a couple who have turned up at the council in the past week pleading their cases for more money.

Now, I could be wrong. But, I bet no one has turned up so far - and I bet no one is going to turn up at the hearings this week, either - begging the council to charge more for anything.

There’s no shortage of people telling the council not to charge them 13 percent more in their rates bill. And there’s no shortage of people who think they deserve to get their hands on more council money.

But, they’re all dreaming if they think more money can go out the door without more money coming in the door.

This is not just a Christchurch thing. The same thing’s going on at councils everywhere.

And if you want more money from the council and you don’t want to pay higher rates, then the only solution is for the council to look at ways it can get more money in the pot.

One way it could do that is to follow the lead of Auckland and start charging parking fees 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.

I think Auckland Transport is being refreshingly real. And I think instead of criticising them for it, we should be doing the same thing here.

So, what would be the downsides? There’d be a few. I’ll admit that.

For example, if you have an apartment in town and, instead of spending $100,000 more to get your own private car park, you’ve got a place with no car park - you’d be impacted.

Because there are plenty of people living in apartments in the central city who don’t have their own car parks and park out on the street overnight instead. Doesn’t cost a thing at the moment. If we did what Auckland is doing, though, they’d have to pay.

But they would have other options - Monthly rentals at some of the car parking buildings are pretty reasonable. I've heard of someone paying about $180 per month. What’s that? About $6 a day. That’s for the whole 24 hours.

Some people will say, too, that if they had to pay for parking at nighttime - for example - businesses would be badly affected. I don’t buy that, because I have never made a decision whether to go to a particular restaurant or bar, or a movie, or concert, based on what it might cost me to park.

If someone wants to take their car into the CBD, they will pay. Whatever day and whatever time. Trust me.

Yes, there would be a lot of noise about it, but that would die away and we’d have more money coming into the council coffers so that, when all these people turn up asking for money, they’d have a much more realistic chance of getting what they want.

More money has to come in the door before more can go out. It’s simple.

LISTEN ABOVE

People are getting very excited - not in a good way - this plan in Auckland to start charging people 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week to park their cars in the CBD. 
Apparently, mayor Wayne Brown isn’t even happy about it. But I don’t know why. I think it’s a great idea and I think we should be doing it in Christchurch. 
Now, when I say I think it’s great, I’m not saying I love paying money to park. Who does? 
But I think we’re getting to the point where we can’t avoid doing what Auckland is doing. And I’ll tell you why. 
For starters, in Christchurch, have you seen the never-ending line of people with their hands out to the council for money? 
Example - In the news today, we’ve got the people behind the restoration of the jetty at Governor's Bay wanting more money from the council. This is all part of the Long-Term Plan process, where councils put their budget together for the next ten years. 
So, today it’s the jetty people. Who else have we got wanting more money from the Council? 
There’s Orana Park... the Arts Centre... they’re just a couple who have turned up at the council in the past week pleading their cases for more money. 
Now, I could be wrong. But, I bet no one has turned up so far - and I bet no one is going to turn up at the hearings this week, either - begging the council to charge more for anything. 
There’s no shortage of people telling the council not to charge them 13 percent more in their rates bill. And there’s no shortage of people who think they deserve to get their hands on more council money. 
But, they’re all dreaming if they think more money can go out the door without more money coming in the door. 
This is not just a Christchurch thing. The same thing’s going on at councils everywhere. 
And if you want more money from the council and you don’t want to pay higher rates, then the only solution is for the council to look at ways it can get more money in the pot. 
One way it could do that is to follow the lead of Auckland and start charging parking fees 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. 
I think Auckland Transport is being refreshingly real. And I think instead of criticising them for it, we should be doing the same thing here. 
So, what would be the downsides? There’d be a few. I’ll admit that. 
For example, if you have an apartment in town and, instead of spending $100,000 more to get your own private car park, you’ve got a place with no car park - you’d be impacted. 
Because there are plenty of people living in apartments in the central city who don’t have their own car parks and park out on the street overnight instead. Doesn’t cost a thing at the moment. If we did what Auckland is doing, though, they’d have to pay. 
But they would have other options - Monthly rentals at some of the car parking buildings are pretty reasonable. I've heard of someone paying about $180 per month. What’s that? About $6 a day. That’s for the whole 24 hours. 
Some people will say, too, that if they had to pay for parking at nighttime - for example - businesses would be badly affected. I don’t buy that, because I have never made a decision whether to go to a particular restaurant or bar, or a movie, or concert, based on what it might cost me to park. 
If someone wants to take their car into the CBD, they will pay. Whatever day and whatever time. Trust me. 
Yes, there would be a lot of noise about it, but that would die away and we’d have more money coming into the council coffers so that, when all these people turn up asking for money, they’d have a much more realistic chance of getting what they want. 
More money has to come in the door before more can go out. It’s simple.
LISTEN ABOVE

John MacDonald: 24/7 parking charges are the future

I could be wrong. But I reckon most of us wouldn’t have done what Transpower wanted us to do to try and avoid power cuts.

I could be wrong. You may have dutifully done what Transpower wanted you to do. Which was to use as little power as possible by not charging your phone and not having heaters and lights on in rooms you’re not using between 7am and 9am today.

But I reckon most people would’ve either forgotten, or just thought everybody else would be doing it so they wouldn’t need to. And why’s that, do you think?

Well, it’s because New Zealand is not what ACT leader David Seymour says we’re becoming with things like this warning about power cuts.

He’s saying that it’s all “third world stuff”. But, I think that’s overboard. Because, if we were Third World, we would have heard that warning from Transpower last night and every one of us would’ve done exactly what they wanted us to do.

Because, if we were Third World, power cuts would be a regular thing. So, as per, I think David Seymour is exaggerating, a little. 

As it turned out, there weren’t any power cuts. But, listening to the head of Transpower on Newstalk ZB, we were cutting things a bit fine.

I won’t get into megawatt this and megawatt that - for two reasons. One: I’d be running the risk of sounding like I’m pretending to know what I’m talking about. When I don’t. So I’ll put it out there right now - I am not an electricity expert.

The other reason I won’t start throwing around megawatts is because I think your eyes would glaze over faster than mine. When all we need to worry about, is that this early in the year they’re talking about power cuts and telling us not to put our phones on charge.   

And, even though I think David Seymour’s talk about us being Third World is nonsense, don’t think for a minute that I think this is good enough. It’s not.

Because here we are just over a week into May and already we’re being told that to save power to prevent blackouts. 

When I heard the head of Transpower saying that this weather is unseasonably cold, I questioned that a little bit. But, I’ve looked up some of the stats, and it is a bit older than usual. Nevertheless, I don’t think that’s enough of an excuse.

Because the real excuse for what’s happened, is that we have continually turned a blind eye when it comes to investing and maintaining our electricity infrastructure.

Back in February, Transpower announced a plan to spend $400 million to strengthen the nationwide electricity system. Or the grid, as it’s known.

They also want to spend another $100 million upgrading the Cook Strait Cable.

Don't get too excited. Because, even though they announced it in February, they’re now doing the whole consultation thing with people in the energy sector. So that’ll take yonks. 

And, I don't know about you, but I reckon that spending $400 million strengthening the national grid and $100 million upgrading the Cook Strait Cable sounds like chicken feed.

Especially, when you consider how electricity usage is expected to go through the roof over the next few years. 

Transpower reckons that by 2050, electricity demand or usage will have increased by 70 percent, compared to what it is now. Which is why I think Transpower is just tinkering at the edges with this $500 million it wants to spend on the grid and the cable upgrade.

We are going to have to spend truckloads more than that if we are going to remotely cope with a 70 percent increase in demand for electricity.

But we won’t, of course. Going by how we’ve done things up until now. Which is to under-invest and hope for the best.

To under-invest and then, when things look like they might go pear-shaped, to go into panic mode and to tell us not to charge our phones and to turn the heaters and lights off.

So even though I disagree with David Seymour’s view that the threat of power cuts this morning is Third World, what I will say is that it’s third rate. And we must do better. Otherwise, we will start to look a bit Third World on it.

I could be wrong. But I reckon most of us wouldn’t have done what Transpower wanted us to do to try and avoid power cuts. 
I could be wrong. You may have dutifully done what Transpower wanted you to do. Which was to use as little power as possible by not charging your phone and not having heaters and lights on in rooms you’re not using between 7am and 9am today. 
But I reckon most people would’ve either forgotten, or just thought everybody else would be doing it so they wouldn’t need to. And why’s that, do you think? 
Well, it’s because New Zealand is not what ACT leader David Seymour says we’re becoming with things like this warning about power cuts. 
He’s saying that it’s all “third world stuff”. But, I think that’s overboard. Because, if we were Third World, we would have heard that warning from Transpower last night and every one of us would’ve done exactly what they wanted us to do. 
Because, if we were Third World, power cuts would be a regular thing. So, as per, I think David Seymour is exaggerating, a little.  
As it turned out, there weren’t any power cuts. But, listening to the head of Transpower on Newstalk ZB, we were cutting things a bit fine. 
I won’t get into megawatt this and megawatt that - for two reasons. One: I’d be running the risk of sounding like I’m pretending to know what I’m talking about. When I don’t. So I’ll put it out there right now - I am not an electricity expert. 
The other reason I won’t start throwing around megawatts is because I think your eyes would glaze over faster than mine. When all we need to worry about, is that this early in the year they’re talking about power cuts and telling us not to put our phones on charge.    
And, even though I think David Seymour’s talk about us being Third World is nonsense, don’t think for a minute that I think this is good enough. It’s not. 
Because here we are just over a week into May and already we’re being told that to save power to prevent blackouts.  
When I heard the head of Transpower saying that this weather is unseasonably cold, I questioned that a little bit. But, I’ve looked up some of the stats, and it is a bit older than usual. Nevertheless, I don’t think that’s enough of an excuse. 
Because the real excuse for what’s happened, is that we have continually turned a blind eye when it comes to investing and maintaining our electricity infrastructure. 
Back in February, Transpower announced a plan to spend $400 million to strengthen the nationwide electricity system. Or the grid, as it’s known. 
They also want to spend another $100 million upgrading the Cook Strait Cable. 
Don't get too excited. Because, even though they announced it in February, they’re now doing the whole consultation thing with people in the energy sector. So that’ll take yonks.  
And, I don't know about you, but I reckon that spending $400 million strengthening the national grid and $100 million upgrading the Cook Strait Cable sounds like chicken feed. 
Especially, when you consider how electricity usage is expected to go through the roof over the next few years.  
Transpower reckons that by 2050, electricity demand or usage will have increased by 70 percent, compared to what it is now. Which is why I think Transpower is just tinkering at the edges with this $500 million it wants to spend on the grid and the cable upgrade. 
We are going to have to spend truckloads more than that if we are going to remotely cope with a 70 percent increase in demand for electricity. 
But we won’t, of course. Going by how we’ve done things up until now. Which is to under-invest and hope for the best. 
To under-invest and then, when things look like they might go pear-shaped, to go into panic mode and to tell us not to charge our phones and to turn the heaters and lights off. 
So even though I disagree with David Seymour’s view that the threat of power cuts this morning is Third World, what I will say is that it’s third rate. And we must do better. Otherwise, we will start to look a bit Third World on it.

The Proclaimers: Rock duo on their musical journey, new album, and the Christchurch concert

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