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Reflections on ATEPS 2021

Launched in 2019 with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the University of Auckland’s Public Policy Institute hosts an annual Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School (ATEPS). In December 2021, we hosted our first fully-online Auckland Trade...

Liveability, Ecology and InfrastructureNewsPolicy Commons Blog

Public transport is the future for Tāmaki Makaurau – so why not make it fare-free? – Dr Jen McArthur

Transport funding is a famously dry subject. Regardless, mayoral candidate Efeso Collins’ promise to introduce fare-free public transport has sparked much debate over who pays for bus and rail services. There is a lot at stake in this debate. Your commute or experience of travelling around the city is an integral part of everyday life in Tāmaki Makaurau. The costs of transport, and what it gives you access to, influence your opportunities for education, jobs and staying in touch with family and friends.

Over the past three months, I interviewed local officials, campaigners and advocates in cities with fare-free public transport to learn from their experiences, for a research report commissioned by FIRST Union and the Public Service Association, with the support of Efeso Collins' campaign. This research showed how fare-free policies have emerged as a pragmatic solution to the challenges facing many cities in 2022: inequalities shaped by unaffordable transport services, ambitious emissions-reduction targets, and the need to attract riders back to public transport after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions. The growth of public transport use in Tāmaki Makaurau since the early 2000s, paired with the city’s ambitious climate change targets, points to a future where high quality, frequent and affordable public transport can and should be a normal part of life. But bold decisions must be taken now to make that future possible. Going fare-free, in conjunction with reforms to ensure that public transport operators and staff have fair pay and decent working conditions, can help make this future a reality.

NewsPolicy Commons Blog

NZ Budget 2021

Hon Grant Robertson presented the NZ Budget 2021 to Parliament on Thursday 20 May. Public Policy Institute Director, Professor Jennifer Curtin and the Gender Responsive Analysis and Budgeting team have provided detailed commentary on the new budget. From The...

Policy Commons Blog

ATEPS2020: Rachel Tauleilei’s Speech

APEC BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL  ADDRESS TO AUCKLAND TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY SCHOOL SESSION TWO: THE NEW TRADE ENVIRONMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND   FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER 2020  RACHEL TAULELEI ABAC NZ and CEO, KONO   ‘THE NEW TRADE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH...

EventsPolicy Commons Blog

Carrie Stoddart: Speech to ATEPS2020

Deconstructing the patriarchy through the habitual practice of radical inclusion in international trade Prepared for Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School. Text republished from OpinioNative. Gender and Trade Panel University of Auckland Saturday 5 December...

COVID-19EventsPolicy Commons Blog

ATEPS Keynote: Hon Damien O’Connor

Speech to Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School HON DAMIEN O'CONNOR Trade and Export Growth Delivered at the University of Auckland, 4 December 2020 Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I want to recognise the hard work of the University of Auckland’s...

Policy Commons Blog

Green bonds a small step in a dual crisis

Dr Ryan Jones and Dr Tom Baker ask if ‘green bonds’ can save us from economic and climate collapse Covid-19 has combined with climate change to create a dual crisis that demands extraordinary financial solutions. Governments around the world, including ours in...

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