Simon Watts.
British psychologist and university professor (1967-)
- Reports this week
- 3
- Active events
- 2
- Connections
- 26
What's happening
Active this week
Earlier this month
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Simon Watts addressed a conference concerning Auckland Council issues.Some support1 report
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Simon Watts, Chris Bishop, and Wayne Brown are proposing planning reforms to address Auckland's growth.Some support4 reports1 development inside
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Bill changes regarding infrastructure cost recovery are now requiring consideration in parliament, advocated by both ministers.Some support1 report
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Rehette Stoltz, John Funnell, and Simon Watts commented on local government financial constraints and the government's rates cap policy.Some support1 report
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Council failure draws political scrutiny from Minister Simon Watts.Some support1 report
One to three months ago
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Minister Simon Watts and the Commerce Commission set binding requirements for a water provider.Some support3 reports
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Government introduces a rates cap in New Zealand while Tamah Alley serves as mayor of Central Otago.Some support2 reports
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Simon Watts influenced the government's policy regarding rates capping on June 27, 2026.Some support2 reports2 developments inside
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Auckland Minister Simon Watts, Chris Bishop, and Cabinet discussed economic needs and agreed to study Meola Reef.Some support4 reports
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Minister Simon Watts pressured Hamilton City Council regarding the ongoing amalgamation process.Some support1 report
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Simon Watts discussed Auckland's population growth, noting that Botany is part of Auckland's transport network, which includes the Eastern Busway connecting Panmure and Botany.Some support4 reports
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Local government faces unintended consequences of extreme modeling, prompting the Minister to address policy failures regarding climate scenarios.Some support4 reports
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Minister Simon Watts is considering intervening in the governance of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.Some support2 reports
Gone quiet
No new reports in 90+ days-
Minister announced the removal of iwi voting rights.Some support1 report
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Opposition from a Far North councillor influenced changes to a bill involving Simon Watts.Some support1 report
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Simon Watts was appointed on May 27, 2026, to serve as the government's Revenue Minister, leading tax policy discussions.Some support1 report
No events began in the chosen period. Widen it, or reset.
Around Simon Watts this week
News at the entities that move Simon Watts most-
government StructuralGovernment plans fast-track resettlement for refugees from Afghanistan and Mandatory Palestine, while Nigel Farage rejects legal routes.Moves Simon Watts
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Chris Bishop OperationalMinister Chris Bishop supported housing demand in Wānaka on September 1, 2026.Moves Simon Watts
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Auckland Shared contextAnton Forde and Bob Jahnke designed major art installations for Auckland residential blocks and consulted on the project regarding Māori visual arts.Moves Simon Watts
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Tiaki Wai StructuralTiaki Wai, in his capacity managing essential water infrastructure for the Wellington region, is facing criticism regarding Wellington City Council's rate increases and infrastructure issues dating back to 2017.Moves Simon Watts
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Far North OperationalAfDB provided a loan to finance road projects in the Far North region.Moves Simon Watts
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House StructuralPrediction market tracks control of both chambers.Moves Simon Watts
Connections
The 22 strongest of 26, analyzed from the reporting. The bars show how strongly a change on one side reaches the other.-
government Structural
Simon Watts holds a ministerial portfolio within the government structure.
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local government Structural
Simon Watts holds the office of Minister of Local Government, granting him executive and regulatory power over the operations of local government bodies.
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Auckland Council Structural
Simon Watts, in his capacity as a government official, proposes, reviews, and confirms legislative changes that directly govern the operations of Auckland Council.
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Southern Water Structural
Simon Watts provides support in a formal capacity to the regional water organization, Southern Water.
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Chris Bishop Operational
The two ministers jointly lead and advocate for policy initiatives concerning local government reform and infrastructure cost recovery.
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Bay of Plenty Regional Council Structural
Minister Simon Watts holds the power to intervene in the governance of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
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parliament Structural
Simon Watts' proposed amendments to a Bill are currently under consideration by Parliament.
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Auckland Shared context
Simon Watts holds a ministerial role whose functions are centered on the governance and issues of the Auckland metropolitan area.
Show all 22 connections
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Hamilton City Council Structural
Minister Simon Watts is exerting pressure on the Hamilton City Council regarding its amalgamation process.
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Far North Operational
A councillor from Far North actively influences legislative changes through political opposition.
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Tim Macindoe Operational
The individuals are functionally linked through council matters, specifically involving discussions with a government Minister.
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Rotorua Lakes Council Operational
The council is currently engaged in a reform process that requires an extension, and this process involves Simon Watts.
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Tiaki Wai Structural
Minister Simon Watts is noted to be closely monitoring the operations of water provider Tiaki Wai.
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Wayne Brown Operational
The relationship is characterized by competitive interaction, specifically noted as Mayor Brown opposing government policy changes.
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House Structural
Simon Watts functions as a legislator by introducing bills within the institutional framework of the House.
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Tania Tapsell Operational
Tania Tapsell has actively engaged Minister Simon Watts to request more time.
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Wellington City Council Operational
The Council's failure draws political scrutiny from the Minister.
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Ashburton Operational
Simon Watts publicly criticized Ashburton's proposed 10% rates cap.
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Wellington Shared context
Simon Watts operates within the local government and political context of Wellington.
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New Plymouth Shared context
Simon Watts is associated with the location New Plymouth in a positional context.
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Adams Mentioned together
A single snapshot links leaders (including A) to criticism of a government rate cap plan, which may involve B.
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Whanganui District Council Mentioned together
Evidence is insufficient to determine the structural relationship between Simon Watts and Whanganui District Council.
History
Events by the month they beganSeptember 2026
6 events- The government has slowed down the ongoing local government reform process.
- Simon Watts addressed a conference concerning Auckland Council issues.
- Simon Watts, Chris Bishop, and Wayne Brown are proposing planning reforms to address Auckland's growth.
- Bill changes regarding infrastructure cost recovery are now requiring consideration in parliament, advocated by both ministers.
- Rehette Stoltz, John Funnell, and Simon Watts commented on local government financial constraints and the government's rates cap policy.
- Council failure draws political scrutiny from Minister Simon Watts.
August 2026
5 events- The government has imposed a rates cap on local councils, with Simon Watts serving as the responsible minister.
- Minister Simon Watts and the Commerce Commission set binding requirements for a water provider.
- Government introduces a rates cap in New Zealand while Tamah Alley serves as mayor of Central Otago.
- Auckland Minister Simon Watts, Chris Bishop, and Cabinet discussed economic needs and agreed to study Meola Reef.
- Minister Simon Watts pressured Hamilton City Council regarding the ongoing amalgamation process.
July 2026
3 events- Simon Watts discussed Auckland's population growth, noting that Botany is part of Auckland's transport network, which includes the Eastern Busway connecting Panmure and Botany.
- Local government faces unintended consequences of extreme modeling, prompting the Minister to address policy failures regarding climate scenarios.
- Minister Simon Watts is considering intervening in the governance of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Show 1 earlier month
June 2026
4 events- Simon Watts influenced the government's policy regarding rates capping on June 27, 2026.
- Minister announced the removal of iwi voting rights.
- Opposition from a Far North councillor influenced changes to a bill involving Simon Watts.
- Simon Watts was appointed on May 27, 2026, to serve as the government's Revenue Minister, leading tax policy discussions.