Channel Magazine Columns
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Ideology is as big a threat to living standards as inflation
Simon Watts
March 07, 2022 Share
According to ASB senior economist Mark Smith, inflation will peak at close to 6.3% in early 2022. That’s a level that will be felt by every household on the North Shore. And remember, that increasing cost of living is building on top of the price rises consumers had to endure throughout last year – petrol prices went up 10% in just the last quarter of 2021.
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An incredible summer to kick-off a vitally important new year
Simon Watts
February 01, 2022 Share
The weather has been spectacular and that’s just the tonic long-suffering Aucklanders have needed. Escaping the pandemic’s grip for a beach up north, a Hawke’s Bay vineyard or a South Island cycle trail has brought welcome variety to lifestyles that have been severely cramped.
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Because local voices deserve to be heard
Simon Watts
December 01, 2021 Share
As a local MP, I believe a core responsibility of mine is amplifying the voices of North Shore residents.
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Twelve eventful months
Simon Watts
November 01, 2021 Share
The last two years have been significant and possibly transformative for this country. As a first-time MP I’ve seen how the impact of a global pandemic has played out in the lives of my constituents and the actions of our country’s leaders.
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Decisive action needed to save the Kiwi dream
Simon Watts
October 01, 2021 Share
I want to start this article with a few words from the maiden speech I gave in Parliament, back in March:
“New Zealand needs leadership that enrols all of our energies to tackle the tasks facing us. Challenging times demand more than ever that we work together in the interests of all New Zealanders.”
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Stuck in a Covid replay
Simon Watts
September 01, 2021 Share
There’s no doubt that New Zealand’s success in dodging the worst effects of the pandemic during 2020 felt pretty good. While other nations went into horrendous tailspins, we pulled up the drawbridge and retreated into a safer world.
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Vaccine shambles puts a handbrake on the economy
Simon Watts
August 01, 2021 Share
The week’s announcement by Chris Hipkins that there is going to be no change to managed isolation requirements for the rest of the year and probably into next year was delivered under cover of the surging pandemic in Australia, but the writing has been on the wall for months.
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A bridge just for cyclists and walkers will solve nothing
Simon Watts
July 01, 2021 Share
The increasingly polarised debate over cycling access to a harbour crossing has brought out some fairly trenchant opinions. But do the anti-cyclist feelings that have been unleashed really reflect how people feel?
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A world-leading New Zealand is within reach
Simon Watts
May 01, 2021 Share
Anyone who listened to my maiden speech in Parliament will have recognised three recurring themes: when our government spends money there has to be a return on that investment; the challenges facing our country need fresh ideas; and I’ve got no patience for dragging our feet on important issues.
In this column I’m going to tackle all three.
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Let's get smart
Simon Watts
April 01, 2021 Share
I want to talk about agile thinking. Because that’s how small but industrious countries like ours get to be world-class. You’ve only got to look at the amazing job our country has done competing for and winning the America’s Cup to realise that out-of-the-box ideas are the difference between maintaining the status quo and creating that transformative breakthrough.