I wonder if about 3 million NZers are going to get pretty tired of the Waterview motorway issue some time soon.

Let me put it this way: How many Aucklanders ever gave a flying frig at a doughnut about Transmission Gully?

Never! Heresy!

Now, another month of listening to Melissa Lee on the other hand....

Now, another month of listening to Melissa Lee on the other hand....

More heresy: Most people don't care about the Mount Albert by-election either.

@dc. I thought you?d disappeared.

More heresy: Most people don't care about the Mount Albert by-election either.

Well, around the traps this week, there seem to be many people who do.

I wonder if about 3 million NZers are going to get pretty tired of the Waterview motorway issue some time soon.

That's nothing. You've got over a year until Auckland's Super-Duper council elections, filled by an ongoing fight between the members for Epsom and Helensville and Mt Roskill and Tamaki?

Next week's announcement of the five businessmen appointed to run Auckland on the ATA will fuel a fresh round of outrage. And justifiably so.

@Craig, does transmission Gully lead the national news a lot?

Did for a while to general indifference. I don't wish to sound like a passive-aggressive inverted snob here, but just because something gets the rather white, middle class Auckland-centric media-political complex in a lather, doesn't mean anyone else gives a?

Next week's announcement of the five businessmen appointed to run Auckland on the ATA will fuel a fresh round of outrage. And justifiably so.

*sigh* Yup, let's get that pre-emptive outrage going. Might actually be worth learning something from the wing-nuts, and registering when people just stop listening to relentless?

Clear Channel Communications, which owns half of The Radio Network, is close to bankruptcy (hat-tip: @bernardchickey). The other half is owned by APN, whose major shareholder has its own fairly alarming problems.

Chapter 11's too good for them.

Might actually be worth learning something from the wing-nuts, and registering when people just stop listening to relentless high pitched squealing.

Or not:

$UPERCITY-CORPORATE NATIONAL SOCIALISM via another ROGERNOMIC$ BLITZKREIG!

14 May 2009

The democratic rights of the public to a binding poll over the 'SUPERCITY' proposal have been totally?

I'm sorry, Russell, but if the vile Penny Blight is whipping up the outrage, I really hope you can live with that.

Is there a bunker I can hide in?

The town hall install is done by an Australian company called The Electric Canvas .

Along with local geezers The Darkroom, who have their own pretty stellar track record in video installations.

They also did the graphics for Media7!

Yup, let's get that pre-emptive outrage going.

It's not preemptive though. The format of a hand-picked Ministerial* council vetoing the decisions of democratically elected local officials and installing their own CEO into council is already established.
Exactly which "businesspeople" end up in there doesn't matter (for what it's worth I?

Both inside and outside the Auckland Town Hall, the projections were perfectly mapped onto the building's physical features. How did they do that?

A digital model of the building I'd guess. Same technology that gets used to create CGI movies of real locations, except you're reversing it and projecting onto?

If you're going to use the phrase "with all due respect" you should sound like you mean it.

Of course, Russell. Meanwhile, just because something gets a lot of discussion in the halls of Waikato University or on a blog where folks have a rather high interest in politics, or?

Transmission Gully has some actual national interest, if you ever want to get around the country, particularly from one end to the other without a plane. One decent earthquake would cut our country in half.

I don't actually disagree with you, Kyle. But I not really surprised, either, that it?

Waterview is a local issue being thrown out over the national news. It only affects people that drive around Auckland.

The two imperatives: TV must cut costs, but must have a live cross. Hence, anything a short drive from the Auckland studio is a story.

I wish long life and?

Now, could you convince Penny Bright to go on holiday for a while?

Dude, if that were in my power ...

Telecom were genuinely a more Kiwi switched on hip with the current cultural gesalt company

They're a corporation with majority overseas shareholding. Like DB Breweries, Watties and TradeMe.

It's quite refreshing when companies *don't* wrap themselves in the flag.

But it pays to remember that general elections are won and lost in Auckland's dormitory suburbs. Whether you like it or not, the local is the national in Auckland?

Has she done any REM or U2 covers/

But it pays to remember that general elections are won and lost in Auckland's dormitory suburbs.

Under MMP? Surely now it's just as important to get a vote in Haast as in Wellington Central?

Also, Kyle is originally from Auckland and is therefore a traitor in our midst. I like to bring that up regularly so he doesn't get all Mainlandy-High-Horse?

how does this "horse on our asses" thing go?
And are mules involved? Drug mules, or just slip-ons?

It's all so confusing for a Friday.

what I had in mind was those "South Auckland booths" – the mobilising of which swung the election for Labour in 2005, whilst their staying home cost Labour in 2008

Oh come on Tom, everyone knows it was because they were too busy flogging cars in Mt. Albert last year.

RoO – what I had in mind was those "South Auckland booths" – the mobilising of which swung the election for Labour in 2005, whilst their staying home cost Labour in 2008.

No I think if the turnout in south auckland had been higher, Labour still would have got a?

Also, Kyle is originally from Auckland and is therefore a traitor in our midst. I like to bring that up regularly so he doesn't get all Mainlandy-High-Horse on our asses. Heh. :)

Actually I spent the first few months of my life in Te Kuiti I believe, when Dad was?

the rather white, middle class Auckland-centric media-political complex in a lather

Ouch, you've got me on that one. But having said that I remember quite a lot of hysteria over previous by-elections in the rest of the country too – particularly Selwyn.

@simong

__the MP for the West Coast?

Or try to define our national identity with kiwiana images and sporting heroes.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Telecom should also have featured motorways running through green parkland and suburban housing as part of the national identity.

Hmm... what's some alternative images to reflect our identity?

(merely trying to?

The fight has only just begun though. The next important step is to avoid this project being fast-tracked through some 'call in' process that will lock people out of having their voice heard at the?

But I not really surprised, either, that it probably doesn't raise a lot of interest in Auckland.

Yes. Stereotypically down here you'd say "Aucklanders don't care about what goes on south of the bombay hills", and "everyone else gets to hear plenty of what goes on north of the bombay?

Like most developed democracies, New Zealand makes an effort to welcome visitors in a friendly manner. The distinctive Kiwi touch is that as you?

Stereotypically down here you'd say "Aucklanders don't care about what goes on south of the bombay hills"

Of course they do, and so do we south of the BH's. Why, just yesterday I was in Ponsonby, gazing in wonder upon the $500 shirts and $400 shoes and $1500 jackets in?

By the way, for a bit of Firday Fun Hendrick Hertzberg is now on record as the only living fan of Customs at Auckland Airport.

You're kidding me? Make it two. I *love* customs at Auckland Airport. They let my mother through brandishing home-made and extremely suspect salame. They let?

Of course they do, and so do we south of the BH's. Why, just yesterday I was in Ponsonby, gazing in wonder upon the $500 shirts and $400 shoes and $1500 jackets in the 5th Avenue men's clobber shop!

5th Avenue puzzles me. Those $500 shirts don't even look that?

I generally see them at six in the morning, a time when I would be filled with semi-murderous rage for simply having to be conscious, let alone at work.

I obviously don't travel at the right time, but hey... any addition to the world's supply of happiness and calm is?

And OTOH, the last time I arrived in the US of A, I was hectored, interrogated and treated like a potential criminal. Come to think of it, leaving was nearly as bad.

Pshaw... of course, you're a potential criminal. Everybody is, but there's no reason to act like you're in?

Auckland airport on the other hand sucks tghe big one – especially the recent change to force incoming passengers to traipse through a duty free shop – it's so tacky, to the?

From Hansards past:

Phil Heatley: I was disturbed to hear the Hon Chris Carter say that he was rushing this bill through Parliament and wanting a commencement date of July next year, because the councils wanted certainty. That member?

Waterview is a local issue being thrown out over the national news. It only affects people that drive around Auckland. Transmission Gully has some actual national interest, if you ever want to get around the country, particularly from one end to the other without a plane.

Er... while the alignment?

Moana Mackey seems to have the hang of this blogging thing.

Sure, but Claire Curran seems to need a bit more work on poli-tweeting. Things like "[Sue Ked]gley is talking about "expunging" and the dmeonic Rodney Hide trampling on the rights of Aucklanders. Great stuff." don't exacty help the perception?

which provides an alternative to going through the CBD for anyone bypassing Auckland

And a much more efficient route to the airport from the North Shore.I like to think I'm being pretty staunch about that, given that it's really going to mess up the Northwestern motorway for we Pt Chevalians.

All I can say to Craig is ... it matters to us.

All I can say to the mainlanders who were over it before it began, is just be bloody thankful it's us they're doing it to, not you.

Yup,?

He even engages Whaleoil. I want to buy tickets for the Slater evisceration.

All I can say to Craig is ... it matters to us.

"Us" is entitled to worry about whatever the hell "we" wants, but doesn't have any right to presume "them" do — or should.

He even engages Whaleoil. I want to buy tickets for the Slater evisceration.

And I?

I get that it will get people from the New Lynn to Dressmart and back fairly smartly. Ok. But the north shore???

Anyone who believes?

"us."

Fair enough. Me. And others. I'd have thought anyone who wasn't interested would go and find another tree to scratch.

If the SH 20 tunnel ever is upgraded to 6 lanes those?

should read "There's peak oil and the likely demise of motor vehicles transporting individuals."

It'll be the billion dollar bikeway (if you don't mind biking through tunnels).

TV must cut costs, but must have a live cross. Hence, anything a short drive from the Auckland studio is a story.

Come along to the Death Star next week and watch the expensive American consultant from Magid (pronounced maggot) tell all and sundry that the reporters need to be?

I drive that road less than 10 times?

8 lanes

10 lanes

anyone else see the problem here?

I see it, and I feel it, and it's killing me, and my city.

It's even worse than that. SH16 already needs that upgrade, so any upgrade to accommodate more traffic (from the shore) already seems, ummm, too late. It's?

everyone's driving to Levin

Have you been to Levin? Everyone certainly isn't driving there..

Waterview is a local issue being thrown out over the national news. It only affects people that drive around Auckland.

That's not what the authorities are saying. Apparently, the nation as a whole should be jumping for joy over the savings being made, and anticipating that totally significant saving being?

"If I want to spend $500,000 on a Ferrari but spend $20,000 on a Suzuki because that's all I can afford, have I really saved $480,000?"

with all due respect

Sir Humphrey: Minister, with the greatest possible respect ...
Jim: Oh, you're going to insult me again?

– The Greasy Pole episode of Yes, Minister

However, most other CMJ work was predicated upon having the Vic Park Tunnel upgraded, and simply doesn't work until?

with all due respect

Worf (to Data): With all due respect, BEGONE! , sir.

As far as I can see Transmission Gully is only of use to a small number of (possibly SUV driving) commuters from Paekakariki and points north to Wellington. Who value their creature comforts too much to use the perfectly adequate train service.

Ie, Too Bourgeois To Bus, or Too?

The issues surrounding "Mr Bakshi" need to have legs; the way the figures are likely?

"If I want to spend $500,000 on a Ferrari but spend $20,000 on a Suzuki because that's all I can afford, have I really saved $480,000?"

Did you finance it ?

If you want a nice shirt, go to Strangely Normal. They're wicked.

Russell – nice product placement : )
Great to hear that they are still around, (proof that a good product will persevere) I remember doing their monthly ads in RIU way back when, and dining near their shop?

If you want a nice shirt, go to Strangely Normal. They're wicked.

agreed, I live in them (saves on rent). I get asked all the time where I buy my shirts, so much so I'd thought about asking Michael and Claire for cards.

I'm not sure about 5th Ave, they?

near their shop whenever we had enough money from mail orders on Duran Duran books – ta Murray!

I felt we were well due the dinners since a) we'd had to listen to Murray's Duran Duran and Bob Seeger records, and, b) We were the ones who had to pack?

We were the ones who had to pack the bloody things up and take them to the Wellesley St PO.

All of a block away from Darby st, phew! – just opposite Blue Beat wasn't it ? ; ) (and DKD Upstairs, yum) and on a lucrative trip to to?

Rheineck is still

made? I didn't know that. We don't get it in Bali

...and a power of Motown,

I think you came along after the Bob Seger era. It was not an easy time upstairs in Darby Street. Hal, Mark and Ngila all had words. Dave Perkins, may he?

under Darby Street ...would likely get you in the end

The place in that block that really got me was the Gallows Grotto – when ya went out the fire escape and up onto the roof and onto the next building (the old Police barracks / building centre facing onto?

I sometimes wonder what that part of the modern high rise, that occupies the site now, feels like?

It's a bank so probably just as desolate at times.

I remember the spot well. There is a similar spot between Queen and Elliot St, or at least there was, between Smith?

And I note for others that I can get a few made-just-for-me shirts from Strangely Normal for the price of one from that spot on Ponsonberry Rd.

If this goes on much longer, the Great Race of Yith will have to turn up to clean up the mess...

It will probably be the last big-arsed motorway, anywhere in the world, to be shoehorned through suburbs where there has been no route protection.

True, dat. I live in the city that was the poster-town, literally The Model City, for 1950s-60s "urban renewal." Which consisted largely of bulldozing established neighbourhoods?

Those nostalgic Box and Celebre pix are great, Simon, ta.

Mostly taken by my wife when she was doing the social shots for Monitor and BiFim. There are hundreds more but they're tucked away in a box or two somewhere in her parents attic we think. It's gonna be a?

It will probably be the last big-arsed motorway, anywhere in the world, to be shoehorned through suburbs where there has been no route protection.

Only if you consider Asia ain't part of the world. Plenty of motorway projects are likely to trample through poorer 'burbs in this part of the?

And the thought of driving to Levin via Featherston, Pahiatua, Palmerston North and Shannon is truly something out of a doomsday horror movie.

OTOH, I bet I'm not the only person who has ever insisted that a trip from Wellington to the Mt Bruce wildlife reserve go via Palmerston North?

OTOH, I bet I'm not the only person who has ever insisted that a trip from Wellington to the Mt Bruce wildlife reserve go via Palmerston North because she hates the Rimutaka hill road Just That Much.

It's a lot better now, Amy. Almost all of the hairpins have been?

If you happen to go to Strangely Normal you could always pick up one of the last cheapo tickets to this:
Shameless plug

Simon, I'd be proud to host a 'Stories' discussion here, under a guest post by you about the Box/Celebre years. Feel free to think of any other?

I think you came along after the Bob Seger era. It was not an easy time upstairs in Darby Street. Hal, Mark and Ngila all had words. Dave Perkins, may he rest, wasn't quite so fussed.

Yeah, I missed that too. Although Hal did once storm through to have words?

(Where the Headless Chickens had their practice room. To this day I still think it was a contributing factor to the dark current that took Johnny Pearce away – RIP)

Against all reason, me too.

I sometimes wonder what that part of the modern high rise, that occupies the site?

So not a solution to that particular problem, but just another example of expensively moving the traffic jam a bit further up the road in peak loads – like the Puhoi motorway, enjoy it though I do.

Meh, not so much. Ngauranga and the Motorway along the faultline are issues?

Simon, I'd be proud to host a 'Stories' discussion here, under a guest post by you about the Box/Celebre years. Feel free to think of any other way we could help the gig ..

Sounds like a fab idea if you are up for it Russell...and thoroughly and humbly appreciated?

Yeah, I missed that too. Although Hal did once storm through to have words after I'd played 'Let the Music Play' by Shannon one too many times.

Ha, we used to get that at BFM in the mid eighties when Roger P and I would do our Saturday afternoon dance?

Although Hal did once storm through to have words after I'd played 'Let the Music Play' by Shannon one too many times.

This is probably an opportune time to point towards a very good Shannon/Feist mashup.

'Let the Music Play' by Shannon

Oh! I love being reminded of songs hiding in the depths of my brain! To the tubes...

This is probably an opportune time to point towards a very good Shannon/Feist mashup.

I'll see your Shannon/Feist mashup and raise you a Shannon/Rolling Stones mashup!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hVrb143bh0

http://conorjoe.wordpress.com/

just spending a couple a hours smearing this around the blogheap before my attention wanders