You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Alan Meharry
Job:
Auckland Transport Walking and Cycling Transport Planner.
Job description:
My role is to plan where and when we should build cycle paths. We have a limited amount of money so we need to think carefully about where we should build new cycle paths.
Work background:
I have nearly always worked at a council. I started my career as a transport analyst within Parking. I later moved into more strategic roles. I am interested in how transport shapes cities.
Favourite part of job:
I enjoy strategic thinking and planning. I like to think of how Auckland is being shaped by transport. At the moment most of our travel is done by car. But this is changing. More people are taking the train, bus, ferry and walking and cycling. I think this is great!
Least favourite part of job:
Every job has little bits and bobs that have to be done. I don’t enjoy these very much. These are things like booking meetings and cleaning my desk!
What I am working on now:
I am currently looking at a bike share system for Auckland. This would mean that there are bikes available for anyone to use all around the central city. People could hop off a bus and then jump on a bike.
A quick story about a job well done:
I created a whole bunch of really big posters that were colourful and bright and they told people about why we were building bike paths. It was fun and it worked really well.
Qualifications:
Bachelor or Social Science in Anthropology.
Interests outside work:
I am in a band and record music.
Alan Meharry is the Auckland Transport Walking and Cycling Transport Planner. Image: LEARNZ.