Daran Ponter
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 8 December 2025
The Children's Commissioner has launched what she's calling an urgent advocacy campaign to prevent children being neglected, abused and killed; Wellingtonians will soon be able to tag on to buses and… Audio
Wellington commuters set to ditch the ‘Snapper’
Wellingtonians will soon be able to tag on to buses and trains with phones and debit cards... with the regional council announcing plans to ditch Snapper. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 27 May 2025
In today's episode, the Labour Party is critical of the government's plans to redevelop Nelson Hospital, saying it will deliver half the number of new beds as the previous government had planned… Audio
Councils upset over changes to Ōtaki to north of Levin highway
Some lower North Island councils have written to the Infrastructure Minister with their concerns about cost-cutting on the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway. Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair… Audio
Council wins bid for Eastbourne land
Wellington's regional council placed the winning bid to secure a thousand-hectare block of land in Eastbourne to the tune of around $9 million. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter… Audio
Greater Wellington Council chairperson on ferries announcement
The government is promising to have two new ferries crossing Cook Strait by 2029, though critical questions about the cost and logistics remain unanswered. Greater Wellington Council chairperson Daran… Audio
Extra buses and trains provided for hīkoi mō te Tiriti in Wellington
The Greater Wellington Regional Council is putting on extra buses and train carriages to ease congestion as te hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrives at Parliament on Tuesday. Chairperson Daran Ponter spoke to… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 25 July 2024
On today's episode, Maori survivors of abuse in state care want immediate action addressing the systemic failings which lead to ongoing abuse and discrimination of the most vulnerable, the Law… Audio
$800 million upgrade announced for North Island trains
The Government says the current train fleet operating on the Wairarapa and Manawatu lines will not last another five years. Greater Wellington Regional Council chair Daran Ponter spoke to Tuwhenuaroa… Audio
Wellington's regional council chair on Interislander ferries management
Should a new entity be set up to run the Interislander ferries? Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the government has received recommendations by an independent advisory group on what to do with the… Audio
Wellington leaders considering amalgamation of councils
Wellington leaders are considering amalgamating the region's councils but say a super city is unlikely.
The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee will meet on Tuesday and will begin discussions… Audio
Councils call for $200 million flood protection investment
Councils, calling for government help to invest in flood protection, are frustrated they've been sent back to bureaucrats for more talks.
They say a $200 million investment now would save lives and… Audio
Councils ask Government for flood protection investment
Regional councils are pleading with the Government to more rapidly invest in flood protection.
They want Cabinet to invest about $200 million to help update the ageing flood protection network.
The… Audio
KiwiRail lays tracks too close together in Wairarapa
KiwiRail is fronting yet another please explain meeting, this time about its rail services in Wairarapa.
During a $100 million upgrade to the Wairarapa line, KiwiRail laid the tracks too close… Audio
Simeon Brown to meet Wellington and Upper Hutt mayors to discuss water issues
It's going to be a pivotal week for Wellington's water crisis, with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown meeting with the mayors of Wellington City and Upper Hutt to discuss what actions they're… Audio
Greater Wellington Regional Council reacts to axing of Let's Get Wellington Moving
Back to our coverage of the now axed Let's Get Wellington Moving project.
The $7.4-billion initiative is being scrapped and under the new version, the Government will pay for a second tunnel at Mt… Audio
Future Cook Strait travel in turmoil
The future of Cook Strait travel has been thrown into turmoil with the government's decision to decline KiwiRail's request for further $1.47 billion for two new mega ferries. To date, $435.1 million… Audio
Budget shortfall threatens Wellington train services
A billion-dollar budget shortfall threatens to significantly disrupt Wellington's train services over the next few years.
A report by the Greater Wellington Regional Council identifies insufficient… Audio
Let's Get Wellington Moving faces roadblock
Just last week, the Transport Minister was asked to "put a rocket under" parts of the Let's Get Wellington Moving project and get things moving.
But now, the government's appetite to get Wellington… Audio
Pest species moves closer to a national park
There are major efforts underway to keep a bunch of Australian invaders from stepping foot - or paw - in one of our national parks. Wallabies were introduced to New Zealand in the late 1800 for… Audio
