Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I love how the world keeps finding ways to say fuck you to Trump while asserting the values of generosity and inclusiveness 151
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026My Listener column on rough sleepers, move-on orders and the wonderful Helen Robinson at the Akl City Mission is now online ($) but you can also read it in the magazine in shops this week www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...nzherald.co.nzSimon Wilson: Wider Auckland needs about 1000 emergency beds. Move-on orders won’t fix thatWhy aren't we listening to those with solutions to NZ's rough-sleeping crisis? 0198
Reposted by Simon WilsonRussell Brown @publicaddress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Along with others, I've had a bit to say about Simeon Brown's deranged 2024 Transport GPS. But this is actually shocking. It was altered *after the consultation period* to make the books look better – in a way that wrecks the National Land Transport Fund. www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/09/29/t...greaterauckland.org.nzTransport borrowing comes back to bite - Greater AucklandToday, Treasury is releasing the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (or PREFU) ahead of the election. So I figured it was worth looking at a significant recent change to the way transport expendi... 911063
Reposted by Simon WilsonLe Monde in English @english.lemonde.fr · 26/09/2026How Paris, New York and Tokyo are all moving away from car-centric urban planninglemonde.frHow Paris, New York and Tokyo are all moving away from car-centric urban planningIn a study presented on September 9, the Paris Urban Planning Workshop analyzed how residents in seven major cities have been getting around over the past 20 years. The profound transformation of public space has given rise to new practices: residents walk, cycle and take public transport more. 271186333
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026At the heart of Nicky Hager’s book is a tale of how a group of cynical hard-right ideologues made racism a winning political platform, not because they’re white supremacists, but because it suited their interests. My Hopetown post is here #nzpol simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deservesNicky Hager’s new book ‘Dirty Work’ reminds us how much we’ve lost in the last three years 69437
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 26/09/2026At the heart of Nicky Hager’s book is a tale of how a group of cynical hard-right ideologues made racism a winning political platform, not because they’re white supremacists, but because it suited their interests. My Hopetown post is here #nzpol simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deservesNicky Hager’s new book ‘Dirty Work’ reminds us how much we’ve lost in the last three years 69437
Reposted by Simon WilsonMichael Warburton @michaelwarburton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The best sign in the history of everything. 855894929
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deservesNicky Hager’s new book ‘Dirty Work’ reminds us how much we’ve lost in the last three years 12914
Reposted by Simon WilsonJolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026“Ruby Tui belted out Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi at Eden Park, and 40,000 fans sang with her. Four months later, Harry Styles sang the first line of the song at his concert in Auckland and the crowd sang the rest back to him. This was who we were. And this is what Jordan Williams set out to destroy.” #nzpol 513352
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The new book #DirtyWork by #NickyHager is the story of how Jordan Williams and the Taxpayers' Union orchestrated the use of racism in the 2023 election. Here's my take on what we lost as a result, free to all on my Hopetown substack now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deservesNicky Hager’s new book ‘Dirty Work’ reminds us how much we’ve lost in the last three years 46629
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The new book #DirtyWork by #NickyHager is the story of how Jordan Williams and the Taxpayers' Union orchestrated the use of racism in the 2023 election. Here's my take on what we lost as a result, free to all on my Hopetown substack now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/dirty-work...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDirty work and the disinfecting sunshine it deservesNicky Hager’s new book ‘Dirty Work’ reminds us how much we’ve lost in the last three years 46629
Reposted by Simon WilsonAndy @andydruid.bsky.social · 18/09/2026This is some super impressive investigative writing 052
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Is it panicky? Yep. Is it the AI companies boosting their own interests at our expense? Yep. But those things don’t mean the threat to humanity isn’t real. Here’s my analysis of the dangers of AI + what it suggests for NZ, at my Hopetown substack now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/why-arent-...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWhy aren’t our politicians worried about AI?What are we supposed to do when the smartest guys in the room tell us they’ve invented machines that might be about to kill us all? 351
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Techbros, fossil fuels, investment banking and the military: “Thanks to recursive self-improvement, the four horsemen of the apocalypse now ride among us.” My explainer and analysis of the big fuss about AI, up now on Substack at Hopetown simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/why-arent-...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWhy aren’t our politicians worried about AI?What are we supposed to do when the smartest guys in the room tell us they’ve invented machines that might be about to kill us all? 183
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Techbros, fossil fuels, investment banking and the military: “Thanks to recursive self-improvement, the four horsemen of the apocalypse now ride among us.” My explainer and analysis of the big fuss about AI, up now on Substack at Hopetown simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/why-arent-...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWhy aren’t our politicians worried about AI?What are we supposed to do when the smartest guys in the room tell us they’ve invented machines that might be about to kill us all? 183
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Up to speed on recursive self-improvement and exponential growth? Even if it isn't the end of the world, AI demands a lot more attention than we give it in this country. Explainer and analysis: new Substack post at Hopetown up now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/why-arent-...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWhy aren’t our politicians worried about AI?What are we supposed to do when the smartest guys in the room tell us they’ve invented machines that might be about to kill us all? 043
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Up to speed on recursive self-improvement and exponential growth? Even if it isn't the end of the world, AI demands a lot more attention than we give it in this country. Explainer and analysis: new Substack post at Hopetown up now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/why-arent-...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWhy aren’t our politicians worried about AI?What are we supposed to do when the smartest guys in the room tell us they’ve invented machines that might be about to kill us all? 043
Reposted by Simon WilsonJessica de Heij @jdeheij.bsky.social · 12/09/2026“He didn’t mention that less driving also means fewer emissions and better road safety and public health. But he did grasp that the CRL will qualitatively improve the whole Auckland transport network, which is why it has enormous potential for the city.” 041
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Chris Luxon seemed genuinely to recognise the value of better public transport last week, despite everything else his party gets wrong, while Labour remain frozen by its lack of policy. New Hopetown post on Substack up now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/cheering-t...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comCheering the CRL: “People are living like this all round the world”National knows the Overton Window on urban development is changing, but is Labour keeping up? 1102
Reposted by Simon WilsonKatya @nzkatya.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Simon Wilson's article is excellent, as always. His question to Quilae Wong is one I would also like an answer to #nzpol 14514
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Luxon’s performative “support” for the Paris Accord, the horror of Nepal, the data-centre fightback sweeping America, a question for Qiulae and musical hope on a train. Different ways to look at the climate: my Substack post this weekend #nzpol simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/well-alway...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWe’ll always have Paris, or will we?Horror in Nepal, performative nonsense about the Paris Accord and the good cheer of the AI fightback 01910
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Horror in Nepal, the astonishing fightback against AI data centres and performative climate action nonsense from Luxon: new Hopetown post on Substack today simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/well-alway...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWe’ll always have Paris, or will we?Horror in Nepal, performative nonsense about Paris and the good cheer of the AI fightback 044
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Horror in Nepal, the astonishing fightback against AI data centres and performative climate action nonsense from Luxon: new Hopetown post on Substack today simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/well-alway...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comWe’ll always have Paris, or will we?Horror in Nepal, performative nonsense about Paris and the good cheer of the AI fightback 044
Reposted by Simon WilsonGerard @groverxv.bsky.social · 03/09/2026If you’re a Kiwi, read this. It’s just bloody common sense. 032
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Credit where it’s due. Political leadership of a kind we don’t see so often. My feature in this week’s Listener on Len Brown, channelling Robbie, in his campaign to bring us the CRL. www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...nzherald.co.nzSlow train coming: the arduous route to Auckland’s City Rail LinkNow Auckland’s CRL is about to open, will credit fall where it's due? 083
Reposted by Simon WilsonFroggie24 @froggie24.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Love this article - great insight into the short term thinking that seems to permeate NZ politics right now. 053
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 02/09/2026My Listener column on the govt/NZTA’s ridiculous thinking about a new Akl harbour crossing (and the mayor’s own crazy plan), and a much better, cheaper, easier and faster to buildi and more beautiful alternative, is online now www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...nzherald.co.nzSimon Wilson: Who really wants to cross Auckland's beautiful Waitematā Harbour in a tunnel?The promising new proposal for Auckland’s harbour bridge. 030
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 30/08/2026“No new taxes” means our health system will collapse and public assets will be turned into profit centres for private operators. It’s happening now. New Substack post on the war on Auckland, which is a war on the whole country but in Akl it bites deep simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/the-war-ag...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comThe war against AucklandAn ideological war is being waged against the city: I’m calling it Simeonism 1212055
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Go for the politics, stay for the people and absolutely stay for the food! I posted at my substack Hopetown today on the fabulous Ōtaki Summer Camp simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/happy-camp...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comHappy campers: Politics and composting toiletsGo for the politics, stay for the people and absolutely stay for the food! Welcome to the Ōtaki Summer Camp 041
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Go for the politics, stay for the people and absolutely stay for the food! I posted at my substack Hopetown today on the fabulous Ōtaki Summer Camp simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/happy-camp...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comHappy campers: Politics and composting toiletsGo for the politics, stay for the people and absolutely stay for the food! Welcome to the Ōtaki Summer Camp 041
Reposted by Simon WilsonLeonie Morris @leoniemorris.bsky.social · 15/08/2026@simonbwilson.bsky.social "I’m not unhappy at the prospect of Opportunity entering parliament, although I really hope it’s Labour they work with. But they might not. If you want a change of government, it’s crazy to vote Opportunity because they are not committed to that." 0105
Reposted by Simon WilsonCool Hand Fluke @nzrossvideo.bsky.social · 14/08/2026@simonbwilson.bsky.social on fire. Suggest you subscribe simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/opportunit...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comOpportunities lost: Learnings from a big political weekLuxon and Stanford both still standing, Opportunity up, Paul Henry up, but the parties that learned all the wrong lessons from Keir Starmer are struggling 162
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026The farcical inability of the National caucus to organise a coup was only one of two very consequential things to happen in our politics this week. The other was the Opportunity Party climbing to 8% in the 1News-Verian poll… new post today at Hopetown simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/opportunit...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comOpportunities lost: Learnings from a big political weekLuxon and Stanford both still standing, Opportunity up, Paul Henry up, but the parties that learned all the wrong lessons from Keir Starmer are struggling 3115
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Now the coup is dead and the scapegoat has walked the plank (Friday afternoon metaphor mixup!), let’s get back to real politics. Here’s my post from last weekend on why this is the worst govt of my lifetime, and what we can do about it substack.com/@simonbwilso...substack.comSimon Wilson (@simonbwilson)My post over the weekend on the worst govt of my lifetime and what we can do about it https://simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/everything-everywhere-all-at-once 3258
Reposted by Simon WilsonAnneleise @anneleise.bsky.social · 09/08/2026really good piece from Simon 074
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 08/08/2026ICYMI yesterday I posted a talk I gave over summer about the worst government of my lifetime and how to get rid of it. Happy reading! simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/everything...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comEverything everywhere all at onceHow to deal with the worst government in my lifetime 23311
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026In January I gave a talk at the Ōtaki Summer Camp, an annual gathering for young progressives. The organisers suggested the topic: the worst government of my lifetime. I had to think about that. Is it? Why? Here's the talk, at my Substack, Hopetown simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/everything...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comEverything everywhere all at onceHow to deal with the worst government in my lifetime 32511
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026In January I gave a talk at the Ōtaki Summer Camp, an annual gathering for young progressives. The organisers suggested the topic: the worst government of my lifetime. I had to think about that. Is it? Why? Here's the talk, at my Substack, Hopetown simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/everything...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comEverything everywhere all at onceHow to deal with the worst government in my lifetime 32511
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 02/08/2026ICYMI, my Substack yesterday on gas. The fossil giants have always minimised the harm to respiratory health done by “natural” gas. Now they pitch it as the perfect “transition fuel”, when their real purpose is to tie us to fossil fuels. Free to read simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/gaslightin...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comGaslighting with gasWhat made the NZ government fall for the great gas scam? 084
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 01/08/2026With bonus Glen Hansard songs, because my substack is called Hopetown 052
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Gaslighting with natural gas: what made the govt fall for the great gas scam? New Substack post today, free for all simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/gaslightin...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comGaslighting with gasWhat made the NZ government fall for the great gas scam? 083
Reposted by Simon WilsonSimon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026The politics of swords and sandals: The Odyssey through an Aotearoan lens (and a shout out to a wonderful play in Akl right now). Today’s Hopetown post on Substack is here: simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/damn-the-o...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDamn, The Odyssey seems familiarThe hospitality law of Zeus has another name in this part of the world, and it can be just as powerful 001
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026The politics of swords and sandals: The Odyssey through an Aotearoan lens (and a shout out to a wonderful play in Akl right now). Today’s Hopetown post on Substack is here: simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/damn-the-o...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDamn, The Odyssey seems familiarThe hospitality law of Zeus has another name in this part of the world, and it can be just as powerful 001
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Elon Musk and his keyboard army of the underworld got upset that Lupita Nyong’o was cast in #TheOdyssey. That will fade to nothing compared to the wrath of Hobson’s Pledge when they find out about this movie. It runs on manaakitanga. New Substack post simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/damn-the-o...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comDamn, The Odyssey seems familiarIt's only three hours of manaakitanga being abused in the Mediterranean 131
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 26/07/2026ICYMI over the weekend I posted on Substack about Auckland Council’s new housing density plan, agricultural emissions, the cement bailout and the thing that has characterised them all: predatory delay on climate action by the powerful. Free to read simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/housing-fo...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comHousing, Fonterra, cement: the crisis of predatory delayThe tactic that holds back the progress we know we need. 02213
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Predatory delay, housing and climate action: new Substack post up now simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/housing-fo...simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comHousing, Fonterra, cement: the crisis of predatory delayThe tactic that holds back the progress we know we need. 12313
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Ghost roads: My latest @nzlistener column, on the RoNS debacle, is now online (and in shops) www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...nzherald.co.nzSimon Wilson: Govt ambitions are being haunted by ghost roadsVarious transport programmes have been abandoned as Chris Bishop admits ambitious goals. 053
Reposted by Simon WilsonNinjaKitty 忍者キティ🥷🐈⬛ @ninjakitty.bsky.social · 13/07/2026A very worthy read #nzpol 1227
Simon Wilson @simonbwilson.bsky.social · 22/07/2026In search of a decent mayor: my @nzlistener column this week (fortnightly column, on sale in shops or see the really good deal you can get by subscribing) … www.nzherald.co.nz/the-listener...nzherald.co.nzSimon Wilson: Wayne Brown, Andrew Little and the mayoral leadership NZ's cities are missingGood mayors can make a real difference to their community but two of ours fail to inspire. 241