Patrick Lam

Thoughts and travels of Patrick Lam

Submission on the NZ Regulatory Standards Bill

Here we go again. The NZ ACT Party also has an under-the-radar Regulatory Standards Bill which is perhaps as bad as the Treaty Principles Bill but much more technocratic.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Submission on the NZ Treaty Principles Bill

The libertarian minor party, ACT, has introduced a divisive ‘Treaty Principles Bill’ which threatens to undermine the NZ constitutional order (founded on the Treaty of Waitangi). I submitted to the select committee against this bill.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Friday, December 6, 2024

Trip report: Gisborne, November 28–Dec 1 2024

Three days in Gisborne, with cycling to wineries, stingrays, and walking at Cook’s Cove.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Thursday, December 5, 2024

Thoughts on the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti

This last Tuesday, the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti arrived in Pōneke/Wellington after setting off eight days ago from Te Rerenga Wairua / Cape Reinga (as well as on the South Island). Crowd size estimates for Parliament ranged from 42,000 to 55,000, undoubtedly the largest ever for this country. I’d characterize the mood of the hīkoi as ‘determined’. We wanted to send a strong statement that the Treaty Principles Bill should not be further considered. I should hope that the politicians are listening.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Thursday, November 21, 2024

Trip report: Rotorua, October 11-14 2024

Appended to the Flagstaff trip, a visit to Rotorua for the NZ Judo Nationals.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Review: Takahē: Bird of Dreams by Alison Ballance

Stories about takahē: re-discovery, conservation, and their habits.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Comparing the Old Ghost Road and Paparoa tracks and their books

The Old Ghost Road and the Paparoa Great Walk cross similar terrain on the West Coast in New Zealand. But the Old Ghost Road was led by a nonprofit, while the Paparoa was the product of the Department of Conservation. Let’s compare them.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Friday, September 20, 2024

Trip report: Christchurch/Lincoln, Queenstown, and Doubtful Sound

Not the Cascade Saddle, take 2. Canterbury Open (judo), Queenstown hikes (Ben Lomond, Welcome Rock) and bike trips (Gibbston), and Doubtful Sound for 2 nights.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Thursday, June 6, 2024

Trip report: Whanganui Journey—five days canoeing on the Whanganui river

Great Walk #9: not a walk at all, but a 145km canoe trip down the Whanganui River, with gentle rapids. We got there using public transit.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Monday, April 8, 2024

Review: The Last Front Line by Brendan O'Dwyer

How the sausage is made: Brendan O’Dwyer writes about building the Paparoa Great Walk on NZ’s West Coast.

Posted by Patrick Lam on Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo; patrick.lam@uwaterloo.ca

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