Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories.
This week, we looked at the myths and truths behind "gold-plated cycleways", whether there's any real alternative to supermarket prices in the cost of living squeeze, the boons the global FIFA Women's World Cup is bringing to local clubrooms in Aotearoa, what Auckland's big flood is teaching the rest of the country about disaster preparedness, and why Cook Strait ferries have been plagued by problems.
Whakarongo mai to any episodes you might have missed
Cycleways and their image problem
The building of "gold-plated" cycleways is a contentious issue in our biggest city, with the $30 million transformation of Auckland's iconic Karangahape Road firmly in the spotlight.
Karangahape Road, with its cycleway. Photo: The Detail/Tom Kitchin
But as The Detail finds out, the price tag that gets reported in cycleway stories often represents a large body of other infrastructure and planning work.
Tom Kitchin visits Karangahape Road with Auckland Transport's head of cycling Adrian Lord to break down the costs, and speaks to Cycling Action Network's Patrick Morgan about why cycleway infrastructure is important.
The price pain of supermarket shopping
It has been nearly a year since the government announced a crackdown on the big supermarket chains, but grocery bills keep climbing and shoppers are losing hope as they wait for competitors to enter the market.
Photo: 123RF
"Suppliers want more money because they are getting charged more for the raw materials that they use to make their ingredients and food products. Everything's just got more expensive and there's only so much legislation can do to mitigate that," says BusinessDesk senior journalist Paul McBeth.
Sharon Brettkelly speaks to McBeth and Consumer NZ head of research and advocacy Gemma Rasmussen, and also does her own experiment to find out if there is a cheaper local alternative to spending hundreds of dollars at the supermarket, and finds you can get a bargain - but you have to go hunting for it, and it can be time-consuming.
FIFA Women's World Cup lighting up local clubrooms
Thirty-two teams, tens of thousands of spectators, more than 2 billion people watching all over the world - New Zealand has never experienced the likes of it.
The FIFA Women's World Cup will be hosted by New Zealand and Australia in July and August, with local groups and clubrooms and set to benefit massively from the draw.
Birkenhead United AFC's clubrooms are getting a $2.6 million makeover ahead of hosting Italy for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Photo: Alexia Russell
Tom Kitchin speaks to RNZ sports journalist Barry Guy and Birkenhead United UFC president David Williams.
"FIFA is paying for all of the grounds to be a certain standard, and all the facilities at these grounds to be suitable for these teams. There are lights being put in at some of these training grounds and all of the facilities and the stands are being upgraded as well," Guy said.
How we plan for New Zealand's next big disaster
Auckland has been judged and found wanting for the state of its emergency management preparedness in a report detailing a lack of leadership and general chaos during that unprecedented stormy day on January 27.
Hundreds were helped at the Mangere Emergency Centre set up in south Auckland as a response to the January floods. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
How well is the rest of the country prepared? When disaster strikes elsewhere will a well-oiled machine slide into place, or will it be another case of chickens running around with their heads cut off?
Sharon Brettkelly speaks to disaster response and recovery leadership expert Jon Mitchell and Tasman District mayor Tim King about how Auckland is being used as a learning curve for other New Zealand cities.
Chaos on the Cook Strait
Cancelled crossings, mechanical problems, a mayday call - chaos on the Cook Strait ferries hasn't been far from the headlines this year.
The Bluebridge's Connemara and Interislander's Kaiarahi in Picton. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
NZ Herald Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell says the disruption of the last few months has been a "wake-up call in terms of the repercussions of not proactively investing in a timely manner".
"We can't let it get to breaking point before you invest in all the new stuff. Preferably you'd have quite a smooth transition without the pain of the gap in between," she says.
Tom Kitchin speaks to Campbell and Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand acting chief executive Dom Kalasih.
The Detail's Long Read: This Little Piggy Went to Europe
This is The Detail's Long Read - one in-depth story read by us every weekend.
Peggy and Sue will be separated from the other pigs until they're back to an ideal weight. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
This week, it's This Little Piggy Went to Europe by Gregor Thompson, published in North & South's April edition.
You can read the article, with accompanying photos, in this month's issue of North & South.
From down-under to Downey Jr: the rags-to-riches story of the kunekune, New Zealand’s cutest ambassador.
Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
Photo:
