1831 days ago

Kiwis need to halve car use by 2050 to sufficiently improve health

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

New Zealanders need to almost halve their number of car trips to satisfactorily improve our health and wellbeing, a new report claims.

The University of Otago report, Turning the Tide - from Cars to Active Transport, has recommended the Government put targets and legislation in place to reduce car use in urban centres from 84 per cent of trips to 45 per cent by 2050.

The report claims two-thirds of car trips made for commuting between 2015 and 2017 were within a comfortable cycling distance (five kilometres or less), while one-third were within a reasonable walking distance (2km or less).

More messages from your neighbours
36 minutes ago

The perfect treat this Mother's Day

Sunday Star Times

This Mother's Day treat yourself or a loved one with the ultimate Sunday self-care gift.

Purchase a discounted subscription to Sunday Star-Times before 12 May, and receive a FREE Antipodes Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum worth $56*. Find out more below.

Gifting a subscription? Add a personalised e-card to your order to make your gift even more special. Offer ends next week so don’t miss out! T&Cs apply, promo code must be applied.
Find out more

Image
3 days ago

Poll: What could the Christchurch City Council fund if it didn't have to pay GST on rates?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says GST on rates, currently taken by central government, would be better spent locally.

The comments follow an Infometrics analysis that found over $1.1 billion of rates revenue nationwide was collected by the Government in 2022 as GST.

According to Infometrics, $88.5m of that came from Christchurch city ratepayers. It would be enough to save the Christ Church Cathedral from ruin; restore the Dux de Lux seven times over; cover both the Art Centre and Orana Wildlife Park’s request for regular public funding for over 26 years; contribute to light rail in Greater Christchurch; or get the South Library rebuild completed.

Read the full story by reporter Sinead Gill here and share your thoughts in the comments below. (Note: Subscription required. You can still read two free stories a month if you're not a ThePress.co.nz subscriber).

Image
What could the Christchurch City Council fund if it didn't have to pay GST on rates?
  • 20.3% Light rail
    20.3% Complete
  • 4.5% South Library
    4.5% Complete
  • 41.4% Orana Wildlife Park
    41.4% Complete
  • 11.3% The Arts Centre
    11.3% Complete
  • 3.8% Dux de Lux
    3.8% Complete
  • 13.5% Christ Church Cathedral
    13.5% Complete
  • 5.3% Something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
    5.3% Complete
133 votes