

Freedom fighters or freedom frauds? The Act Party’s local government hypocrisy
Act want to run candidates at this year's local body elections. But local body politicians who were previously Act candidates at the general election are retiring. Their track records speak for themselves.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Apr 259 min read


Is Auckland Council fascist?
“Fascism” is a strong word, but when examining recent events in Auckland Council governance, troubling parallels emerge.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Mar 304 min read


Bird-brained council officials are dividing communities
Snells Beach encapsulates how a poor decision by elected officials spirals into overreach by unelected officials, wasting time and money.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Feb 13 min read


Submission to Auckland Council in response to proposals for the northern end of Snells Beach
Submissions to the Rodney Local Board of Auckland Council on the Proposals of Megan Young and dog access rules for Snells Beach.

Grant McLachlan
Jan 2917 min read


The Politics of Stupid
Oscar Wilde said: "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." In Snells Beach, life imitates the films Zoolander and Hot Fuzz.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Jan 287 min read


Auckland Council: Too big to care, too complex to control.
Auckland Council has grown so vast that watchdogs lack the resources to keep up, fostering a culture that often rewards dubious conduct.

Grant McLachlan
Oct 3, 20244 min read


The importance of heritage
The Auckland Heritage Festival 2022 between 1-16 October, theme is ‘Topography, Taonga and Trailblazers.’

Grant McLachlan
Sep 27, 20222 min read


Eco-terrorism Snells Beach style
It started as a group who appeared to be well-meaning bird photographers. When they failed to get recognition and legitimacy from...

Grant McLachlan
Sep 17, 202123 min read


Warkworth can’t handle the truth about proposed toll road
Once again, the Herald ignores a topic important to many of their subscribers.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 20, 20203 min read


Dopey economic theory causing social decline
The Herald headline read "Auckland Council golf courses a $2b-plus development bonanza." Here is the column challenging it.

Grant McLachlan - Column
Oct 14, 20204 min read


Jackson exposes property industry cynicism
To view online published article, please click here. The stoush between the Wellington mayor and a movie industrialist encapsulates what...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Jun 1, 20194 min read


Nuisance bylaws on dogs are the real nuisance
(Click here to view the published article.) Auckland Council officials are yet to exceed my lowering expectations of them. Their proposed...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Nov 27, 20183 min read


Lower rural speed limits often worsen congestion
To view the original article, please click here. Be careful what you wish for when suggesting the lowering of speed limits on rural...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Oct 12, 20183 min read


Council officials make mockery of Unitary Plan
To visit the original article, please click here. There is little point having an Auckland Unitary Plan if council planners ignore it....

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Mar 5, 20183 min read


Phil Goff painting himself into corner over North Rodney
To view the original article, please click here. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff's position against a North Rodney referendum to break away from...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Oct 25, 20173 min read


Seven Sharp – Could this be New Zealand's worst intersection?
Grant is involved with the Fix Hill Street Now action group to fix New Zealand's worst intersection. He features in this item from TVNZ's...

Seven Sharp
Oct 5, 20171 min read


Protected trees are falling to council incompetence
To view the original article, please click here. The Auckland Council is causing serious environmental damage due to decisions based on...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Oct 4, 20173 min read


FACT CHECK: Was the Boathouse Bay decision predetermined?
The decision by Auckland Council to grant resource consent for a 33-dwelling intensive development called Boathouse Bay has shocked many...

Grant McLachlan
Sep 30, 20175 min read


Snell's Beach historic pine exposes law's weak protection
To view the original article, please click here. The Lawrie's Norfolk is now on the New Zealand Tree Register. The recent decision by the...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Sep 4, 20173 min read


Worst highway junction just got worse
To view the original article, please click here. The Transport Agency hasn't factored into calculations how dangerous the Warkworth...

Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Sep 4, 20163 min read