John Elliott: The pied pipers enticing people to city centre

The recent pandemic lockdown gave us time to ruminate about our future, and what the ‘new normal’ might, or should, look like.

The ‘powers that be’, like influencers Nick Hill, chief executive of ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development ), Viv Beck (Heart of the City CEO), and the representative of the owners of the city office building being vacated by AMP (they will relocate in both Auckland and Wellington to suburban premises), are all calling for a continuation of the madness where thousands of Aucklanders commute from the far-flung edges of Auckland to the CBD every day.

AMP somewhat set the cat among the pigeons by declaring they would leave the central city. “How dare they?” cried the custodians of high-rise heaven. “Bringing back international students is hugely important for, not just the universities, but for the CBD and the culture of what Auckland is,” pontificated Nick Hill.

What the hell does he mean by “the culture of what Auckland is”? He might have slightly modified that view after the two new Covid cases this week. Let’s work to get as many large businesses out of the CBD as we can, including AT, Fonterra, banks, insurance companies, law firms. None of these needs to be so difficult for clients to access. They should be spread around the entire city, accessible to staff as well as clients. Too many Aucklanders waste up to 15 hours a week commuting to work each day. (The weak productivity that Hill refers to isn’t helped by hours of commuting). That has serious health, economic and environmental implications which could be substantially mitigated by good old common sense.

Maybe we can turn some office blocks into apartments - even some for foreign students when they do return. Trying to entice people, particularly our young and more vulnerable, to come to Commercial Bay, the huge new mega store, to spend, spend, spend, is irresponsible and bad advice. There have been some wise heads calling for saving, for the inevitable rainy days ahead. Otherwise we’ll have thousands of pensioners in the years ahead without two pennies to rub together, totally dependent on the state for survival. Gross consumption is not the answer.

I am a regular purchaser at Unity Books in High St. It is increasingly difficult to drive to the shop for a book I have ordered. At 81, I do not intend to go-walk-bus-walk, taking over an hour, to get to Unity Books, when I can drive there in ten minutes. I strongly support cycling and pedestrianisation of the inner city, but not complete abolition of driving. We still need a balance, but the Unitys of this world will survive if we spread our business sector shops around the entire city. Unity Books may move to Ponsonby. I’ll help them shift. (John Elliott)