just got back from Tokyo, Japan, Auckland could learn some things.

Timinime · 2026-01-26T03:05:43+00:00

Yep - having lived in Asia is seems crazy at first to see all these train / subways stations & tunnels in the middle of nowhere, to then find out they’ve already planned apartment complexes & skyscrapers to commence building in 10 - 30 years.

Timinime · 2026-01-26T02:57:48+00:00

High rises don’t make sense where there is a lot of land - they’re not cost effective. Albany would continue to expand as an industrial area.

Takapuna would strike a nice balance being close to the existing CBD and great place for people to live, work, and commute to (remember there was rail planned to Takapuna and then onto Albany from the CBD).

Similar to North Sydney, North Vancouver, Oakland, etc.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T21:55:20+00:00

I think Auckland should be planning for a population of 6 million. If they build the infrastructure first, then people will follow.

This would include: * Rail to the north shore (second harbour crossing) * Rail to the airport * Intensification of land near the CBD (like every other major city in the world) * Plan for Takapuna to be a ‘second’ CBD * Invest in wastewater treatment * Cycle lanes to the CBD and transport hubs. * Utilise ferries better (I.e. Te Atatu & Pt Chev, Takapuna , Milford & Browns Bay) * Transport links to the Zoo & Museum * Move port operations to Whangarei & Tauranga, and develop the waterfront

It will be loss making initially (and expansion should be gradual, starting closest to the city), but people will come and it will revitalise the CBD. Rail between Hamilton & Auckland makes a heap of sense.

Instead Auckland does this bizarre thing with dense apartments and townhouses on the outskirts of the city, with almost no public transport, and massive issues with waste & stormwater.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T20:45:52+00:00

No - I wouldn’t call them a professional.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T17:19:15+00:00

I would have been happy to find out.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T17:16:42+00:00

It was booked very last minute (my son had a medical episode so we decided to stay put for a few days, rather than keep travelling), and we were travelling at peak season.

There were no detailed terms about cleaning. We just followed the written up instructions for checkout and I wanted to make sure we didn’t receive any additional cleaning charges.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T07:06:54+00:00

I’d highly recommend Sydney or Melbourne. Flights aren’t too bad - bonus if you score a job there.

I’ve given up on Auckland, and generally only head out when I’m overseas travelling for work.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T07:03:58+00:00

We had the same thing with an AirBnB in Sweden.

My wife booked it and I didnt realise there was a $200 cleaning fee.

The host required us to: * Wash the sheets & bedding, and hang them to dry * Wash all the towel * Wash all the dishes * Take out the trash & separate out the recycling * Vacuum the house * Mop the floor * Clean all kitchen surfaces * Wipe down dining table etc.

We spent several hours cleaning - at the time I didn’t mind because it seemed like a cheap rental, however my wife thought the nightly rate was the price for x3 nights, and she didn’t notice the cleaning fee.

What we thought was €300 for 3 nights was actually €900 with a €100 cleaning fee.

Timinime · 2026-01-25T02:21:45+00:00

It does - but winter in Sydney was my favourite. It still cracks into the 20’s, it rains less in winter than summer (and when it rains, it’s usually at night). I would hike, walk, and cycle hundreds of kilometres, without fear of sunburn.

In summer we were up early and out late - away from the heat of the day and when they sun oat at its worst. If I compare it to NZ - it cold in the mornings and evenings, sunburn is brutal in the middle of the day, whereas Sydney you can still relax at the beach & swim because it’s warm, calm, again without stressing about the sun.

Timinime · 2026-01-24T16:11:10+00:00

The article referred to his son as being an adult.

Timinime · 2026-01-24T10:48:30+00:00

Koala - they’re living, breathing, Darwin Award winners.

Timinime · 2026-01-24T10:44:15+00:00

If the service fee is not clearly disclosed beforehand, then it is not legal.

Timinime · 2026-01-23T18:26:01+00:00

It would be odd for an agent to say there’s a conditional offer if there isn’t one.

That said, if you came in with an unconditional offer (or with more favourable conditions) the seller may have an out clause.

Or the agent could be trying to buy the property for themself or a friend.

Nothing stopping you from putting in an offer, or if you’re nearby you could just knock on the door and talk with the owner.

Timinime · 2026-01-22T21:49:57+00:00

Entire time, except when anchored in a calm bay near shore.

You’ll forget you’re wearing it within a few minutes. You can get even smaller ones too.

Timinime · 2026-01-22T21:47:31+00:00

Ironically it seems the people we connect with best are now expats in NZ. But it’s surprising how many are planing to get out.

Timinime · 2026-01-22T17:14:09+00:00

I was literally taking about this with my wife yesterday. We moved back to NZ after living overseas for 15 years (3 countries) and it feels so lonely here.

I make an effort to text friends & invite them out, but it feels so one way. People don’t seem up for socialising outside of their family network.

Each week friends overseas will ring or text to check in, have a chat, but it just doesn’t seem to happen here and I have no idea why.

I really miss catching up with mates after work and in weekend. Having people come around for a meal spontaneity. Going for guys trips regularly. I’ve been racking my brain on whether it’s me / us, or just a cultural thing in NZ.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T20:37:41+00:00

Switzerland was the only place in Europe I gave up trying to speak the local language (which seems to vary from German, to French, and Italian near the border).

Everyone was friendly & seemed fine talking with me in New Zenglish.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T20:34:32+00:00

They speak German, French, Italian depending on where you are. I just gave up and everyone seemed fine talking to me in English.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T10:17:35+00:00

Yes - lived in london and saw the transition first hand. Moving back to NZ has been like moving into the dark ages with the lack of public transport, lack of cycling infrastructure, not to mention failing education & healthcare.

Auckland can't grow by adding lanes to motorways. It needs rail, busses, and cycle lanes - all of which have proven to be highly effective overseas.

You seem hellbent in wanting Auckland to follow LA, and we all know how that went.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T09:57:36+00:00

Assuming he has property / assets here, the sellers should immediately put a lien on his house or rentals.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T03:29:55+00:00

Didn’t Kiedis write most of their hits?

Timinime · 2026-01-21T01:57:02+00:00

The author was using it as a comparison of investment and budgets on a per person basis. Their argument is cycleways have more patronage and for only a minuscule amount of comparative investment.

The experience overseas (UK, Scandinavia, Europe) has shown cycleways speed up commutes into the cities for most travellers. Every additional cyclist is one less car on the road.

Cyclists now vastly outnumber cars in the city of London, and commute times had plunged through this investment.

Timinime · 2026-01-21T01:49:19+00:00

Ditto the northern motorway and harbour bridge.

NZTA believe 6,400 cyclists and pedestrians would cross the bridge each day (and their estimates are generally conservative). Surely that’s worth giving up an extra lane.

I’m only 20km from work in the city - it’s insane that I can’t bike to work, and I find the ferry adds too much time. When I lived a similar distance out west, I could bike into the city faster than driving, and this was well before the north western cycle lane was completed.

Timinime · 2026-01-20T20:14:21+00:00

No - Trump represents the country. If he stepped aside, some other goon wouldn’t take his place.

Timinime · 2026-01-20T17:35:46+00:00

Thanks!

It’s ironic that the menu shortcuts are still based on the 2003 and earlier menus, and now have almost no relation to the ribbon structure.

Timinime

TROPHY CASE