Posts relating to New Zealand.
That didn’t take long, John. I know, the economic statistics aren’t pleasant. Wellington’s economy is stagnant and our population growth lags behind Auckland’s and Christchurch’s. I did predict this in 2010. The difference is that I don’t give up on us quite so quickly. I don’t think political leaders should. […]
Read More… from Wellington isn’t ‘dying’, but we’re going to have to prove our mettle
My Facebook campaign group (Back Jack 2013) is getting some traction, though my Facebook page does have more members. Nevertheless, I’m very open to discuss my policies—as much as I have been around Wellington soliciting ideas and feedback, there’s nothing like getting your views on how I’ve interpreted them in my manifesto. Today, Jonathan […]
Read More… from Dialogue on my campaign’s Facebook group: Wellington buses and student discounts
I’ve already had my say on regional reform but I’d like to encourage everyone else to. I favour Wellington including Wairarapa, as I’ve outlined earlier, but regardless of what I say, it’s important to hear from as many people in our region as possible. And if you don’t like my long blog posts, above is […]
Read More… from Regional reform explained, animated and in less than 90 seconds
I belatedly came across the YouTube preview of The Saint, a reimagining of the Leslie Charteris character, which was shopped at Cannes this month. It had been posted by Ian Dickerson, who at my last contact was the honorary secretary of the Saint Club. (A quick glance at the website reveals he still is.) […]
Joe Churchward, on my last visit to his home in Hataitai in 2012. Joe’s wall at his home in Hataitai. Two of Joe’s business cards, given to me at my last visit. I started the day with the sad news that Joseph Churchward, QSM, has passed away. Joe was a great typeface designer, but, […]
In an interview today, the subject of regional reform and amalgamation came up. There’s quite a good site already seeking feedback on the process, and I’ve taken part in a 2012 forum on the subject as well. In 2010, the mood in Wellington, based on those I met in the campaign, seemed to be […]
Read More… from Bridging the Rimutaka divide: Wellington needs Wairarapa
Not a political post, sorry. This one follows up from the Google boycott earlier this month and is further proof of how the house of G gets it very, very wrong when it comes to malware warnings. As those who followed this case know, our ad server was hacked on April 6 but both […]
Read More… from Putting back allegedly “malicious” code: has Google caught up with reality?
It’s probably the worst-kept secret among some of the political circles, but I am running for Mayor of Wellington. Wellington is a world-class city, with generous, creative, industrious, innovative and independent people who punch above their weight. And it’s time, I believe, for some leadership and some 21st-century thinking, to bring the right people […]
Read More… from It’s official today: I am running for Mayor of Wellington again
The Google experience over the last week—and I can say ‘week’ because there were still a few browsers showing blocks yesterday—reminds me of how brands can be resilient. First, I know it’s hard for most people to believe that Google is so incompetent—or even downright corrupt, when it came to its bypassing Safari users’ […]
My good friend and colleague Stanley Moss has written a new book, What Is a Brand?, which provokes some thought on the question in the title. Those who know Stanley and have followed his work know that each year, he issues a Brand Letter, which closes with various definitions of branding. If […]
Read More… from What Is a Brand? Well, there is one we’ve relaunched …