Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: A solution in search of somebody else's problem

211 Responses

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  • Angus Robertson,

    The present plans rely heavily on a walking-bus operation along Great North Road and over Bond Street. That's a hell of a long way to be walking without shelter if the skies open the way they sometimes do in September.

    It is also an extremely long way to walk on a full bladder.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    I took a long, hard, look at them last time I came back from Waiheke. Good God they are an eyesore.

    Lucky that some developers built a few enormous concrete turds with orange piss-streaks down their sides right behind them. Helps distract the eye, innit?

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • elsketcho,

    Indeed, the whole Quay Street strip from Britomart on is a bloody eyesore, thanks to shoddy, nasty looking apartment developments. Another example of the de-beautification of Auckland City that is taking place without check.

    Auckland • Since Aug 2007 • 35 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB,

    It is also an extremely long way to walk on a full bladder.

    I dont see any problem... current Eden Park patrons who have over-imbibed already take to emptying their bladders on any nearby fence, letter-box or doorway...

    Why should international visitors refrain if it's good enough for the locals?

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Anyone here old enough to remember Montreal's "Big Owe"?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • MikeE,

    I keep looking at the numbers, and thinking, as a promoter, what I could do with 23 million dollars of public money... and the sort of party/parties I could throw with that sort of coin!

    Think you could go a long way with some marquis, temporary bars (think the heinekin bar from Highlife matakana,jagermeister bus etc) some PA systems, etc.

    Hell, could even make use of the containers, that they are so fond of for the new prisons.

    Point being that 23 million is a lot of money to be building crap, that will probably never be used again.

    Far better to open the flood gates to promoters etc to put on something (or multiple things) that are decent for the punters.

    Washington DC • Since Nov 2006 • 138 posts Report Reply

  • Ben McNicoll,

    Think you could go a long way with some marquis,

    The Marquis de Sade, in particular, will let you go a very long way...

    Grey Lynn • Since May 2007 • 115 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I reckon the logical conclusion for the whole Olympic / Big Sport movement is to build a permanent global Party Central for massive sporting events, somewhere the irritations of democratic states and the intrusions of viral advertising can't happen.

    A former gulag on Novaya Zemlya would seem to be an appropriate spot.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    Think you could go a long way with some marquis, temporary bars (think the heinekin bar from Highlife matakana,jagermeister bus etc) some PA systems, etc.

    Yeah imagine the parties we could have!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    If, it has to be,for now, we could have a cheap option and create friggin' employment of which we could concur is desperately needed for 7.3 % of NZers. Cheap, being a music venue for musicians on the waterfront, so a stage (waterproof), some musicians (all types for all types)and a reason to come on down to party.Why not?,if laneways were fun, BDO is fun, Rythym and Vines, Splore etc. etc.and they have all been a success, We have food vendors ready to make a buck.Set up temporary food outlets, rent it out cheap, it will pay for itself and plenty of people would be interested in food stalls and employing casuals.Music, jobs, party. It doesn't have to be continuous music sort of an attraction an evening, maybe a few during the day.If it started at 2ish with one band,wouldn't ya get people collecting from lunchtime. have another at 5and another at 8. Put in much needed Portaloos. By the end it could have covered it's own cost with rental on food stalls and other market stuff. Then we could work out what to do without the rush. Jus' sayin'

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    OK - I have to ask the dumb question: does no one else question the sanity of cramming a whole lot of rowdy drunken people out onto a wharf in the dark?

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    OK - I have to ask the dumb question: does no one else question the sanity of cramming a whole lot of rowdy drunken people out onto a wharf in the dark?

    Dude, we do that every weekend up here. Only a handful of people die.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    OK - I have to ask the dumb question:

    Haven't you seen all the kids that leap off wharves all over the country. Not everyone drinks y'know, some of us are sensible (cough). Also, it's not far to the bottom. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    Fuck it. If we're going to have a "Party Central", we might as well just get lots of barbeques and kegs and hand out free booze. $23 million buys a lot of beer and sausages.
    Actually, I'm only half joking about that - having a very large barbeque going every night would be a great way to show hospitality, rather cheaply, and would contribute to a warm atmosphere. People are always happier with hot food in their bellies.

    George has it exactly right. What did they do when the rugby-loving future King Of New Zealand came to visit? They put on a barbie and he and the PM sucked a few cold ones. It's him and his mates coming for this very party. Do it again.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Dude, we do that every weekend up here. Only a handful of people die.

    The rest of Aucklanders are witches, apparently.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    I was obviously completely missing the Darwinian upside to the whole thing ...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi,

    The rest of Aucklanders are witches, apparently.

    Or ducks.

    But anyway, as a proud citizen of the People's Independent Republic of Devonport, I'm more worried about the deluge of snooty, drunken South Africans and Englishfolk who will be travelling across via ferry to swarm my lovely subu...on second thoughts, too late.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • HORansome,

    Devonport's only chance is to become the Switzerland of the RWC; a neutral area where rugby and non-rugby fans can spy on each other, trade with one another safely and even, in rare occasions, have friendly get togethers.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Hell, we could just go down there and start setting a venue up. We can just say the New Council authorised it. Seeing as we don't know who or what that will be and anyone on it is not accountable to Aucklanders anyway. After all ain't it about who you blow? Let's just do it!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • JackElder,

    even, in rare occasions, have friendly get togethers.

    What - a kick-around at Christmas, that sort of thing?

    Wellington • Since Mar 2008 • 709 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    The argument in favour of using the Viaduct and Aotea instead seems compelling, and Mr Litterick is right about there being no time left to properly consent and build a cruise terminal anyway.

    Love the idea of diverting funds into the staging of music, events and hospitality for fans. Surrounding retailers might not like the free barbie idea much though.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    After all ain't it about who you blow? Let's just do it!

    I'm sure Rodney Hide will admire your spirit :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    Surrounding retailers might not like the free barbie idea much though.

    If they can't compete with a free sausage, then they're not very good then, are they?

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Surrounding retailers might not like the free barbie idea much though.

    For the plebs darlin'!Those who normally take up the whole of the waterfront with the over inflated food prices and people to match won't be bothered by the plebs.E.g. Mission Bay has no problem when there is a bit of a do on the beach. Business love drawing people into their area. The likes of Euro etc. will be glad for someone else to accommodate/ feed that which they don't want anyway.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I'm personally up for free snarlers, don't get me wrong. However, you're right it's probably a differernt market. Euro or Soul would have theirs dressed with finest mongolian truffle-hog droppings or somesuch.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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