Ben Ross
@benakl.bsky.social
Spatial and Policy Planner
Resident of South Auckland
Cities Skylines Player and Snob
Resident of South Auckland
Cities Skylines Player and Snob
Pinned
Ben Ross
@benakl.bsky.social
· Dec 25
A very busy 2024 on LinkedIn
2025 will be even busier as the fight for evidence based policy continues against fact free reckons
2025 will be even busier as the fight for evidence based policy continues against fact free reckons
It is a brave new world for Manukau Ranges as bikes, bike lanes, and bike parking make there way into #CitiesSkylines2
Here is our first cyclist embracing the brave new world
Also the amount of retrofitting needing to be done, so will start with the City Centre first.
Here is our first cyclist embracing the brave new world
Also the amount of retrofitting needing to be done, so will start with the City Centre first.
November 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
It is a brave new world for Manukau Ranges as bikes, bike lanes, and bike parking make there way into #CitiesSkylines2
Here is our first cyclist embracing the brave new world
Also the amount of retrofitting needing to be done, so will start with the City Centre first.
Here is our first cyclist embracing the brave new world
Also the amount of retrofitting needing to be done, so will start with the City Centre first.
Lew was right
As much as us JAFA urbanists want to take a dump of Ford Rangers, not exactly wise to do so even those Japanese KEIs who more than a Ford Ranger (I was driving both the last two weeks moving house)
I would not go about setting bans as such on the Ranger but rather
As much as us JAFA urbanists want to take a dump of Ford Rangers, not exactly wise to do so even those Japanese KEIs who more than a Ford Ranger (I was driving both the last two weeks moving house)
I would not go about setting bans as such on the Ranger but rather
thus so long as their five core needs are met they just chug along in life happy and content.
But when whipped up by NACT1 it gets toxic and NACT1 will use and abuse them as they are now
Playing the intellectual game wont work, but restoring their 5 core needs does
But when whipped up by NACT1 it gets toxic and NACT1 will use and abuse them as they are now
Playing the intellectual game wont work, but restoring their 5 core needs does
November 22, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Lew was right
As much as us JAFA urbanists want to take a dump of Ford Rangers, not exactly wise to do so even those Japanese KEIs who more than a Ford Ranger (I was driving both the last two weeks moving house)
I would not go about setting bans as such on the Ranger but rather
As much as us JAFA urbanists want to take a dump of Ford Rangers, not exactly wise to do so even those Japanese KEIs who more than a Ford Ranger (I was driving both the last two weeks moving house)
I would not go about setting bans as such on the Ranger but rather
Admittedly Labour keeping mum stops the Anti Intellectual National from stealing and bastarderising policies to their own ends
It also exposes the true light weights because of their anti intellectualism that they truly are since Key (the epitome of it) BUT there is a massive BUT (next skeet)
It also exposes the true light weights because of their anti intellectualism that they truly are since Key (the epitome of it) BUT there is a massive BUT (next skeet)
Opinion: Labour’s frustrating but clever strategy of saying and doing as little as possible in opposition further compounds Christopher Luxon’s problems
Two years on, Luxon yet to say what Govt stands for
newsroom.co.nz
November 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Admittedly Labour keeping mum stops the Anti Intellectual National from stealing and bastarderising policies to their own ends
It also exposes the true light weights because of their anti intellectualism that they truly are since Key (the epitome of it) BUT there is a massive BUT (next skeet)
It also exposes the true light weights because of their anti intellectualism that they truly are since Key (the epitome of it) BUT there is a massive BUT (next skeet)
This was known in 2023 yet 38% voted for him and the media still fall over him
November 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This was known in 2023 yet 38% voted for him and the media still fall over him
Notice there is no cuddling the Right Wing from Mamdani
Something the piss weak Labour Party could learn here in NZ
(Ironically Mayor Wayne Brown doesnt couldnt neither side and is happy to tell both Ministers and Oppostion MPs to get fucked)
Something the piss weak Labour Party could learn here in NZ
(Ironically Mayor Wayne Brown doesnt couldnt neither side and is happy to tell both Ministers and Oppostion MPs to get fucked)
This is how you debate from the left
Power empaths like Zohran Mamdani are capable of playing power narcissists like Donald Trump.
Donald seems to have met his match.
Donald seems to have met his match.
November 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Notice there is no cuddling the Right Wing from Mamdani
Something the piss weak Labour Party could learn here in NZ
(Ironically Mayor Wayne Brown doesnt couldnt neither side and is happy to tell both Ministers and Oppostion MPs to get fucked)
Something the piss weak Labour Party could learn here in NZ
(Ironically Mayor Wayne Brown doesnt couldnt neither side and is happy to tell both Ministers and Oppostion MPs to get fucked)
Reposted by Ben Ross
i'd like to see a rise of "fuck you urbanism".
we're gonna build out whole new mixed-used, pedestrian-awesome, high-density districts bc you assholes of locked us out of your desirable neighborhoods. we're gonna make your neighborhoods last year's thing. what's that gonna do to your home values?
we're gonna build out whole new mixed-used, pedestrian-awesome, high-density districts bc you assholes of locked us out of your desirable neighborhoods. we're gonna make your neighborhoods last year's thing. what's that gonna do to your home values?
November 22, 2025 at 4:40 PM
i'd like to see a rise of "fuck you urbanism".
we're gonna build out whole new mixed-used, pedestrian-awesome, high-density districts bc you assholes of locked us out of your desirable neighborhoods. we're gonna make your neighborhoods last year's thing. what's that gonna do to your home values?
we're gonna build out whole new mixed-used, pedestrian-awesome, high-density districts bc you assholes of locked us out of your desirable neighborhoods. we're gonna make your neighborhoods last year's thing. what's that gonna do to your home values?
Reposted by Ben Ross
This is JAWDROPPINGLY funny
Q: “Are you affirming you think Trump is a fascist?”
TRUMP: “That’s ok, you can just say yes.”
ZOHRAN: “Ok. Yes.”
TRUMP: “That’s ok, you can just say yes.”
ZOHRAN: “Ok. Yes.”
November 21, 2025 at 10:36 PM
This is JAWDROPPINGLY funny
Just for today
Maybe when Time of Use Charging is on force
Maybe when Time of Use Charging is on force
Big challenge for Auckland urbanists this weekend: can they suppress their eternal hatred of people who drive utes and tow boats for long enough to recognise the threat of commercial fishers being permitted to operate in marine reserves where recreational fishers are banned
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Just for today
Maybe when Time of Use Charging is on force
Maybe when Time of Use Charging is on force
This entire thread and sub threads
Worthy of sharing to a Galactic Senate's even
Worthy of sharing to a Galactic Senate's even
you’ll never believe the newest meme pair for “Find someone who looks at you like…”
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This entire thread and sub threads
Worthy of sharing to a Galactic Senate's even
Worthy of sharing to a Galactic Senate's even
Reposted by Ben Ross
Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today— it’s time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics.
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today— it’s time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics.
When Labour replacing Hipkins
His silence condones NACT1 hate against the trans community
His silence condones NACT1 hate against the trans community
Hipkins jumped on bluesky after a 2month break to support Winston Peters here
Has so far refused to do the same to support the trans community in the face of destructive and, frankly, fatal policy that NZF and National delivered this week
Really showing his, and Labour's, priorities
Has so far refused to do the same to support the trans community in the face of destructive and, frankly, fatal policy that NZF and National delivered this week
Really showing his, and Labour's, priorities
The attack on Winston Peters home today was totally unacceptable. MPs homes are not the place to protest. No matter the cause, political violence is never ok and should be condemned. Free speech is healthy in a democracy, political violence is not.
November 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
When Labour replacing Hipkins
His silence condones NACT1 hate against the trans community
His silence condones NACT1 hate against the trans community
Tim Tams. Affectionately known as a chocolate biscuit that you dip into hot drink to make a Tim Tam Slam!
BUT
Tim Tams are also affectionately the given name for the concrete dividers that separate cyclists from other road users thus protecting both.
BUT
Tim Tams are also affectionately the given name for the concrete dividers that separate cyclists from other road users thus protecting both.
November 21, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Tim Tams. Affectionately known as a chocolate biscuit that you dip into hot drink to make a Tim Tam Slam!
BUT
Tim Tams are also affectionately the given name for the concrete dividers that separate cyclists from other road users thus protecting both.
BUT
Tim Tams are also affectionately the given name for the concrete dividers that separate cyclists from other road users thus protecting both.
With KO Shut Out because Bishop is beholden to Winton housing group and their Dipshit of a CE
“National (& Bishop) has repackaged a reduced social housing budget & is now delivering fewer homes than it promised just months ago,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty…
“The Housing Investment Plan is nothing more than a rebrand – underfunded & underdelivering.”
#nzpol
“The Housing Investment Plan is nothing more than a rebrand – underfunded & underdelivering.”
#nzpol
Govt Failing On Social Housing Delivery
“National has repackaged a reduced social housing budget and is now delivering fewer homes than it promised just months ago,” Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.
www.scoop.co.nz
November 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
With KO Shut Out because Bishop is beholden to Winton housing group and their Dipshit of a CE
Reposted by Ben Ross
really slick sociall supported baugruppe in hamburg: passivhaus-ish mass timber with a (social!) single loaded corridor and homes for 1-5 residents.
communal courtard
communit room
co-working space
all homes dual/triple aspect
$185/sf 👀
www.baunetz.de/meldungen/Me...
communal courtard
communit room
co-working space
all homes dual/triple aspect
$185/sf 👀
www.baunetz.de/meldungen/Me...
Gemeinschaftlich im Grünen - Genossenschaftswohnen von Limbrock Tubbesing Architekten in Hamburg
nbsp;
www.baunetz.de
November 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
really slick sociall supported baugruppe in hamburg: passivhaus-ish mass timber with a (social!) single loaded corridor and homes for 1-5 residents.
communal courtard
communit room
co-working space
all homes dual/triple aspect
$185/sf 👀
www.baunetz.de/meldungen/Me...
communal courtard
communit room
co-working space
all homes dual/triple aspect
$185/sf 👀
www.baunetz.de/meldungen/Me...
First day in Waiuku nearly over
Was a cracker sunset too
Oh also
There is a sound i haven't heard in 2 years when at Glenbrook
The police helicopter 🚁
Was a cracker sunset too
Oh also
There is a sound i haven't heard in 2 years when at Glenbrook
The police helicopter 🚁
November 21, 2025 at 8:03 AM
First day in Waiuku nearly over
Was a cracker sunset too
Oh also
There is a sound i haven't heard in 2 years when at Glenbrook
The police helicopter 🚁
Was a cracker sunset too
Oh also
There is a sound i haven't heard in 2 years when at Glenbrook
The police helicopter 🚁
Reposted by Ben Ross
no reason this couldn’t work in NZ!
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
The capital city is Finnish’ed with car-related fatalities.
www.politico.eu
November 21, 2025 at 4:11 AM
no reason this couldn’t work in NZ!
💯
One day we are going to stop promoting white men above their abilities & the young men of the world will grow up to be better humans for it.
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 AM
💯
Reposted by Ben Ross
😻😻CLEANSING THERMONUCLEAR FIRE IS CANCELED FOR THE LATE AFTERNOON!
KITTY CAN HAVE A LITTLE KEBAB AS A TREAT!😻😻😻
KITTY CAN HAVE A LITTLE KEBAB AS A TREAT!😻😻😻
November 20, 2025 at 11:29 PM
😻😻CLEANSING THERMONUCLEAR FIRE IS CANCELED FOR THE LATE AFTERNOON!
KITTY CAN HAVE A LITTLE KEBAB AS A TREAT!😻😻😻
KITTY CAN HAVE A LITTLE KEBAB AS A TREAT!😻😻😻
New office in New digs set up in Waiuku (goodbye Glenbrook)
Still need to unpack papers but that can wait
I trade water views for rural views complete with two Wind Turbines.
Still need to unpack papers but that can wait
I trade water views for rural views complete with two Wind Turbines.
November 20, 2025 at 11:25 PM
New office in New digs set up in Waiuku (goodbye Glenbrook)
Still need to unpack papers but that can wait
I trade water views for rural views complete with two Wind Turbines.
Still need to unpack papers but that can wait
I trade water views for rural views complete with two Wind Turbines.
Reposted by Ben Ross
““We know data privacy is important to New Zealanders. Any technology solutions will be required to comply with the Road User Charges Act which contains strong privacy safeguards and strictly limits what information can be accessed.”
Narrator: There are not strong privacy safeguards in fact.
Narrator: There are not strong privacy safeguards in fact.
A new release is available from Hon Chris Bishop.
RFI launched for future road user charges system
The Government is making progress on transitioning New Zealand’s 3.6 million light petrol vehicles to road user charges (RUC), today launching a Request for Information (RFI) on paying for RUC electronically, Tr
www.beehive.govt.nz
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
““We know data privacy is important to New Zealanders. Any technology solutions will be required to comply with the Road User Charges Act which contains strong privacy safeguards and strictly limits what information can be accessed.”
Narrator: There are not strong privacy safeguards in fact.
Narrator: There are not strong privacy safeguards in fact.
Chatterati eh Goldsmith
That means Ministers are talking as Hooton wrote this morning and explaining is also losing
Also must be some more polling out as well
More in next skeet
GAME ON
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/paul-gold...
That means Ministers are talking as Hooton wrote this morning and explaining is also losing
Also must be some more polling out as well
More in next skeet
GAME ON
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/paul-gold...
‘Chatterati' only ones calling for Luxon's head with no caucus talk of rolling PM, says minister
Recent polls have shown the PM ‘languishing well below National’s support’.
www.nzherald.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Chatterati eh Goldsmith
That means Ministers are talking as Hooton wrote this morning and explaining is also losing
Also must be some more polling out as well
More in next skeet
GAME ON
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/paul-gold...
That means Ministers are talking as Hooton wrote this morning and explaining is also losing
Also must be some more polling out as well
More in next skeet
GAME ON
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/paul-gold...
Reposted by Ben Ross
The upcoming technologies in geothermal energy are looking increasingly promising. NZ governments should be investing in this instead of going back to gas and oil
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Hotting up: the geothermal revolution
Podcast Episode · Babbage from The Economist · 11/19/2025 · Subscribers Only · 40m
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The upcoming technologies in geothermal energy are looking increasingly promising. NZ governments should be investing in this instead of going back to gas and oil
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Checks Korea and the Baltic
Nope
Nope
Analysis: Most countries have big commercial operators competing to offer the cheapest, safest, most reliable crossings – but our politicians think they can run ferries better than the experts, writes Jonathan Milne.
Cruisin' (for a bruisin') on the Interislander
newsroom.co.nz
November 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Checks Korea and the Baltic
Nope
Nope
Reposted by Ben Ross
Harriet Laughton on a warning about rates capping from across the ditch
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Rates caps: A warning from across the ditch
In North Sydney, the local council cannot afford to fix leaky roofs, repair pot holes or maintain sports fields. This, the deputy mayor says, is a symptom of trying to limit rates rises after a major ...
www.thepost.co.nz
November 19, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Harriet Laughton on a warning about rates capping from across the ditch
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/3607...