News In Brief - Auckland City Council - City Scene

Free Summer Concerts
The summer concert season in the Domain begins on 18 December with the Coca Cola Christmas in the Park concert, followed by the Sky City Starlight Symphony on February 5 and a new, as yet unnamed, concert on 19 February 2000.

Over recent years the concerts have been extremely popular with each attracting crowds of more than 200,000 people. It is hoped that overseas singing stars Olivia Newton John, Michael Crawford, and Tony Bennett will be at the Christmas concert. Each concert will receive $30,000 funding from Auckland City.

Eastern Buses
The Auckland Regional Council is proposing to boost peak period bus services by 20 per cent, but also to retain the existing route and service pattern, under the eastern suburbs bus service review now out for consultation.

'JAFA' Rolls Them In
The Tourism Auckland, Just Amazing Fun Filled Auckland, 'JAFA' campaign to entice visitors within a radius of four hours drive from Auckland has brought in 4,500 responses for information since July.

Tourism Auckland chief executive Lance Bickford says the main responses came from the Waikato, Taupo and Bay of Plenty areas following the voucher mail out which includs special deals for accommodation and attractions.

"Responses have exceeded our expectations," says Lance Bickford. The campaign will continue until the end of October this year and from late March to September next year.

Road Toll
There was one fatal crash in Auckland City for September. This brings the total for the year so far to 16. In September 1998 there were two fatal crashes. The total at the same time last year was 17. By taking care on our roads, we can make a difference. Drive Safely.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The Government’s Smokefree Laws Debacle

The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable view is that the government was being deliberately misleading. Are we to think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is a fool or a liar? It seems rather early on in his term of office to be facing that unpleasant choice... More