The “I know a guy” threshold: How Brick Bay Lodge was fast-tracked on the vaguest of details
A 45-suite luxury lodge on a Snells Beach wine farm won referral to the fast-track process while Auckland Council said the economic case did not stack up — and the public only found out after the Minister had already signed off.
Grant McLachlan
Aug 2113 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 2, 20253 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 28, 20257 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
Environmental watchdog sorely needed
To view the original article, please click here. To read the above image, please right click and download the image. The estuary by...
Grant McLachlan - New Zealand Herald - Column
Dec 14, 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
Oct 1, 20175 min read
FACT CHECK: Did Didsbury bury his complicity in Boathouse Bay?
If you view this year’s 1 March issue of Mahurangi Matters, one thing stands out. Can you spot it?
Grant McLachlan
Sep 27, 201710 min read
