Cameron Matthews
@cmatthews5555.bsky.social
Engineer. Like: health, climate, cities, space. Dislike: fascists, green-washing.
Loving the nerding out in this article - and no, Shanti's not the only one!!
Am I the only person in Christchurch who’s excited about the new bus payment system?
The $1.4bn system is running – but no one seems to have noticed.
thespinoff.co.nz
November 12, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Loving the nerding out in this article - and no, Shanti's not the only one!!
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
For anyone passionate about The Huia or commuter rail, Waikato Regional Council are looking for feedback on the service. Open to anyone. Share it around #nzpol #transit #nz yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz/future-of-te...
Future of Te Huia
The Te Huia passenger rail service has been operating between Waikato and Auckland since 2021. Whether you have travelled on Te Huia or not, we want to hear your thoughts about the service and what it...
yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
For anyone passionate about The Huia or commuter rail, Waikato Regional Council are looking for feedback on the service. Open to anyone. Share it around #nzpol #transit #nz yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz/future-of-te...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
#TicketingNews: Motu Move has launched on all Metro buses and ferries across Greater Christchurch (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri) on Monday morning.
Passengers can now pay a standard Metro fare using contactless debit/credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Metro cards.
Passengers can now pay a standard Metro fare using contactless debit/credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Metro cards.
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
#TicketingNews: Motu Move has launched on all Metro buses and ferries across Greater Christchurch (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri) on Monday morning.
Passengers can now pay a standard Metro fare using contactless debit/credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Metro cards.
Passengers can now pay a standard Metro fare using contactless debit/credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Metro cards.
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Great to see the connection along Antigua Street, alongside Parakiore, completed 🚲🎉🫶
November 7, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Great to see the connection along Antigua Street, alongside Parakiore, completed 🚲🎉🫶
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Imagine if we could also get $44–54bn investment in rail to provide people with proper transport options and rectify a century-long imbalance in funding. Oh yeah, and the benefit/cost ratio of PT would well exceed these roads, many of which fail to have benefits exceeding their costs
Paywall now lifted: Just eight of the Government's 17 Roads of National Significance have already seen costs blow out by $5.1 billion - before any shovels are even in the ground.
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
The full programme would cost $44-$54 billion on the latest numbers.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/23/5...
$5b-plus blowout for eight Roads of National Significance
The Government's 17 Roads of National Significance will cost it at least $44 billion – enough to rebuild Dunedin Hospital 23 times over. Marc Daalder reports.
newsroom.co.nz
October 24, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Imagine if we could also get $44–54bn investment in rail to provide people with proper transport options and rectify a century-long imbalance in funding. Oh yeah, and the benefit/cost ratio of PT would well exceed these roads, many of which fail to have benefits exceeding their costs
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
When you think about it, it's kind of funny how the best things we could *actually* do for roads and travel times in AoNZ is rebuild our rail network and massively increase funding for public transport, walking and cycling
October 20, 2025 at 5:01 AM
When you think about it, it's kind of funny how the best things we could *actually* do for roads and travel times in AoNZ is rebuild our rail network and massively increase funding for public transport, walking and cycling
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Doctors cross ethical line says man who raised speed limits for no reason despite extensive evidence it would lead to more injuries and death.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Simeon Brown accuses doctors of crossing 'ethical line' with mega strike
There were audible cries of disbelief during the Simeon Brown's speech to a senior doctors' conference.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 15, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Doctors cross ethical line says man who raised speed limits for no reason despite extensive evidence it would lead to more injuries and death.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Here's the annual change in the number of people known to IRD by primary income source. You can see the tqax-paying population is not growing as much now that immigration has cooled. But, also clear, we are a long way from seeing growth in people with work as their primary income source. Grim. [3/3]
October 15, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Here's the annual change in the number of people known to IRD by primary income source. You can see the tqax-paying population is not growing as much now that immigration has cooled. But, also clear, we are a long way from seeing growth in people with work as their primary income source. Grim. [3/3]
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Ōtautahi / Chch procrastinators, join me in voting in the local body elections before midday tomorrow - drop off locations listed in the link www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/t... #kikorangi
Time running out to vote in local elections
Time is running out for the 69 per cent of eligible voters in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula who have yet to complete and return their voting papers for the local elections.
www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz
October 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Ōtautahi / Chch procrastinators, join me in voting in the local body elections before midday tomorrow - drop off locations listed in the link www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/t... #kikorangi
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
I'm warming to the guy.
October 2, 2025 at 3:54 AM
I'm warming to the guy.
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Big infrastructure projects are great if you only count the benefits and none of the costs. That seems to be the position of infrastructure lobby group Infrastructure NZ, based on a report they released last week about the big motorway projects built in Wellington over the last decade.”
Volunteers step in. www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2025/09/22/g...
Great benefits, what about the costs? - Greater Auckland
Big infrastructure projects are great if you only count the benefits and none of the costs. That seems to be the position of infrastructure lobby group Infrastructure NZ based on
www.greaterauckland.org.nz
September 22, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Big infrastructure projects are great if you only count the benefits and none of the costs. That seems to be the position of infrastructure lobby group Infrastructure NZ, based on a report they released last week about the big motorway projects built in Wellington over the last decade.”
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
New bridge in the red zone looks epic. While Wellingtonians squabble interminably over their awful retro bridge, Christchurch gets stuck in and builds for the future. Powerful.
September 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
New bridge in the red zone looks epic. While Wellingtonians squabble interminably over their awful retro bridge, Christchurch gets stuck in and builds for the future. Powerful.
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
September 22, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Fine analysis of the very tight battle for Christchurch Mayor by David Williams.
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
‘Flip and flop’ mayor gives latest take on asset sales
Council-owned companies remain a contentious issue in the race for Christchurch’s mayoralty between Phil Mauger and Sara Templeton
newsroom.co.nz
September 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Fine analysis of the very tight battle for Christchurch Mayor by David Williams.
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Read it before you vote - because the next mayor will set the city direction in important ways.
Mauger’s disdain for any method of transport other than cars will screw the city.
newsroom.co.nz/2025/09/12/f...
Local man throws away billions to get millions.
“The topic came up late in the piece at The Press mayoral debate on Thursday evening, where challenger Sara Templeton called out Mauger over a phone call he made to former Transport Minister Simeon Brown after the national elections saying the city “didn’t need” more government money.”
‘This is going to go bad for me’: Mayor admits phoning minister to decline money for Christchurch roads
After the general election, Phil Mauger told then-Transport Minister Simeon Brown Christchurch didn't need government money for roads, and he didn’t want the city to be “the kid who gives you grief”.
www.thepress.co.nz
September 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Local man throws away billions to get millions.
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
The Covid inquiry reboot is inspiring all sorts of revisionism on LinkedIn, including this little gem from Covid Plan B stalwart Ananish Chaudhuri “By October 2020, we knew that the vaccines did not prevent transmission”. This is not true, but how did he even come up with this? Thread. 1/N
September 2, 2025 at 7:24 AM
The Covid inquiry reboot is inspiring all sorts of revisionism on LinkedIn, including this little gem from Covid Plan B stalwart Ananish Chaudhuri “By October 2020, we knew that the vaccines did not prevent transmission”. This is not true, but how did he even come up with this? Thread. 1/N
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Trucks do NOT pay their way to use Aotearoa Roads
Light Vehicles subsidise them by $500m and this does not include taxpayer top ups
Report 👇
Submission on Draft Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga Infrastructure Plan
thefutureisrail.org/reports
Light Vehicles subsidise them by $500m and this does not include taxpayer top ups
Report 👇
Submission on Draft Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga Infrastructure Plan
thefutureisrail.org/reports
August 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Trucks do NOT pay their way to use Aotearoa Roads
Light Vehicles subsidise them by $500m and this does not include taxpayer top ups
Report 👇
Submission on Draft Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga Infrastructure Plan
thefutureisrail.org/reports
Light Vehicles subsidise them by $500m and this does not include taxpayer top ups
Report 👇
Submission on Draft Infrastructure Commission Te Waihanga Infrastructure Plan
thefutureisrail.org/reports
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
What cutting cycleways would really save ratepayers
Answer: 3/5ths of naff all as these excellent graphs show
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Answer: 3/5ths of naff all as these excellent graphs show
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
August 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
What cutting cycleways would really save ratepayers
Answer: 3/5ths of naff all as these excellent graphs show
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Answer: 3/5ths of naff all as these excellent graphs show
www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Interesting myth busting article in the press today, important take aways are
1) Cycleways only contribute 0.11% of the 5% rates rises.
2) The largest contributor to our rates is critical water infrastructure, with a whopping $2 billion 1/3
www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/36...
1) Cycleways only contribute 0.11% of the 5% rates rises.
2) The largest contributor to our rates is critical water infrastructure, with a whopping $2 billion 1/3
www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/36...
What cutting cycleways would really save ratepayers
Cycleways have become a lightning rod for frustration over rising rates and are seen as a symbol of perceived council excess.
www.thepress.co.nz
August 23, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Interesting myth busting article in the press today, important take aways are
1) Cycleways only contribute 0.11% of the 5% rates rises.
2) The largest contributor to our rates is critical water infrastructure, with a whopping $2 billion 1/3
www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/36...
1) Cycleways only contribute 0.11% of the 5% rates rises.
2) The largest contributor to our rates is critical water infrastructure, with a whopping $2 billion 1/3
www.thepress.co.nz/a/nz-news/36...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Fear and zoning at Auckland Council
Fear and zoning at Auckland Council
It looks like we might finally be letting people build houses in Kingsland, Mt Eden and Mt Albert, and some of our councillors are absolutely ropeable....
thespinoff.co.nz
August 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Fear and zoning at Auckland Council
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
The climate advice they didn't want you to see.
[finally, six days before I finish up, I get to use that headline formula 😅]
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
[finally, six days before I finish up, I get to use that headline formula 😅]
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Officials warn of damage to diplomatic relations in secret climate change memo
Officials raise concerns on government's climate change stance in mistakenly released advice.
www.rnz.co.nz
August 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The climate advice they didn't want you to see.
[finally, six days before I finish up, I get to use that headline formula 😅]
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
[finally, six days before I finish up, I get to use that headline formula 😅]
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
The government isn’t being misleading about transport spending – it’s pioneering a transformative new mindfulness tool.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-...
The life-changing power of blaming everything on road cones
The government isn’t being misleading about transport spending – it’s pioneering a transformative new mindfulness tool.
thespinoff.co.nz
August 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The government isn’t being misleading about transport spending – it’s pioneering a transformative new mindfulness tool.
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-...
thespinoff.co.nz/politics/08-...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
Incoming rant:
Generations of NZ transport planners and politicians have routinely failed to grasp the point below. From the 1950s, existing patronage has regularly been seen as the full potential patronage, which has been used to justify service cuts and cancellations. This of course makes...
Generations of NZ transport planners and politicians have routinely failed to grasp the point below. From the 1950s, existing patronage has regularly been seen as the full potential patronage, which has been used to justify service cuts and cancellations. This of course makes...
People are using a transit service because they find the service useful, compared to the alternatives. Improve the service, and you'll expand who finds it useful. There's no limit to this potential.
7/
7/
July 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Incoming rant:
Generations of NZ transport planners and politicians have routinely failed to grasp the point below. From the 1950s, existing patronage has regularly been seen as the full potential patronage, which has been used to justify service cuts and cancellations. This of course makes...
Generations of NZ transport planners and politicians have routinely failed to grasp the point below. From the 1950s, existing patronage has regularly been seen as the full potential patronage, which has been used to justify service cuts and cancellations. This of course makes...
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
“Local government rates, as a percentage of the economy, have stayed relatively static for more than 100 years, while central government tax has grown from under 10% to more than 30% in the same time.
Meanwhile, pipes, roads, and public buildings have been left to decay.”
Meanwhile, pipes, roads, and public buildings have been left to decay.”
Rates rises are due to people voting against rates rises
Rates rises are due to people voting against rates rises
Buckle up, it’s time to ignore our crumbling infrastructure for another generation.<br />...
thespinoff.co.nz
July 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“Local government rates, as a percentage of the economy, have stayed relatively static for more than 100 years, while central government tax has grown from under 10% to more than 30% in the same time.
Meanwhile, pipes, roads, and public buildings have been left to decay.”
Meanwhile, pipes, roads, and public buildings have been left to decay.”
Reposted by Cameron Matthews
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/re...
Restore The Southerner Train
A restored Southerner train route offers affordable transport for 750,000 SI residents, bridging gaps where air is too costly for students/low-income, coaches inaccessible for disabled/elderly, and ca...
our.actionstation.org.nz
June 27, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This cause is close to my heart - please sign: our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/re...