The generational infrastructure deficit has a massive impact on cities
Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas leads Serviceworks, a cities and technology business. He was previously an elected member of part of the Auckland Council and is a director of the Committee for Auckland.
Mayor Brown's Auckland Deal is the real deal
Mayor is right when he says a new relationship between government and the council is required
How to bake a better budget
Our local councils take too long to make what are often average decisions, and the public has fallen out of trust with the system, writes Mark Thomas
Auckland was struggling even before the historic flooding
A successful Minister for Auckland could foreshadow a substantially revised Cities and Regions government focus
A future never to be seen
Former local politician Mark Thomas is not confident its broad wellbeing goals will ever see the light of day
The dire state of NZ local government
The real change to local government and election systems arrives in just a few weeks, writes Mark Thomas
What should Auckland’s next mayor do?
Aucklanders may want to change council to have greater confidence in it.
We won't get a 'freedom day' from climate crisis without technology
Technology has allowed us to ease out of Covid crisis restrictions, and will be crucial to ever gaining the upper hand over the other big crisis, climate change, says Mark Thomas
Three Waters waka can chart course out of rough waters
In Australia, private water utilities have lowered user charges – and NZ could adopt similar reforms
Is Auckland really the most liveable city?
How do we know if Auckland is really becoming a better place to live? Mark Thomas says global indexes don't tell half the story and we need a local measurement citizens can rely on
Finishing Auckland and fixing New Zealand
A big bang approach may yet be possible in reforming local councils nationwide – including the so-called super city of Auckland, writes Mark Thomas
Climate action speaks louder than words
Mark Thomas has been to the Climate Change Commission consultation session on its big recommendations for New Zealand. In his view, attendees are split between those who think the commission lacks ambition and those who say its report lacks authentication.