Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Auckland, so much enormity to answer for

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    I think we might have blown the "public fun" budget for the next 20 or 30 years.

    All those dollars that were going to flow into the hospo industry - not so much.

    Maybe we should lobby the IRB to allocate world cups in strict alphabetical rotation amongst rugby-playing nations. Then we'd get it every 80 years, and wouldn't have to spend millions or change our laws.

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

  • Gareth Ward,

    I guess McCaw's achievement may be an enormity for the French. Or... nope, I got nothing.

    And while we all love our Richie, Hamish McKay's gushing over the man throughout his TV3 commentary on Saturday night was hilarious. Apparently it's not just Kevin Hague hoping for a gay All Black...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    All those dollars that were going to flow into the hospo industry - not so much

    I'd think hospo businesses in downtown Auckland are doing screamingly well.

    On the other hand, restaurants in the Kingsland strip suffered a collapse of midweek business last week because the public had been convinced Kingsland was some sort of war zone. Ditto for the Wellington hotels in your story -- people have assumed they must be full.

    Predicting the movement of crowds in this thing is proving quite tricky.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Toby,

    I'm all for the Warrior baby getting to Oz for the final, but still feel uneasy at least about Sir Mad having a batline to the PM to get a passport expedited, a yarn the Herald reports as if a fireman has rescued a cat from a tree. Is Sir Mad, eg, a National party donor? At risk of getting carried away, remember the Hinduja affair, anyone?

    pt chev • Since Mar 2011 • 27 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Toby,

    Is Sir Mad, eg, a National party donor?

    As Mediawatch pointed out yesterday, Sir Mad has been seizing media opportunities to sing the praises of his new best friend, John.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Russell Brown,

    As Mediawatch pointed out yesterday, Sir Mad has been seizing media opportunities to sing the praises of his new best friend, John.

    Um, yes… and? Stop the presses - Mad Butcher needs to start drinking more decaff with no sugar. Bug surprise there. :) Personally, I’m more concerned that anyone should be able to get a passport expedited by picking up the phone and called their Beehive bromance for reasons that should be too bloody obvious to require stating to intelligent people.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    3. greatness of size, scope, extent, or influence; immensity

    Usage note
    3. Enormity has been in frequent and continuous use in the sense “immensity” since the 18th century: The enormity of the task was overwhelming. Some hold that ["]enormousness["] is the correct word in that sense and that enormity can only mean “outrageousness” or “atrociousness”: The enormity of his offenses appalled the public.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Actually, one complaint about Eden Park.

    Could we not have been spared that shit-awful sub-Black Eyed Peas ZM trance pop at high volume? It really was not what most of the crowd wanted to hear. Some local styles would have been more appropriate -- and would have sent all that performance rights money in a more productive direction.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Um, yes… and? Stop the presses – Mad Butcher needs to start drinking more decaff with no sugar. Bug surprise there. :)

    Yes. And it should be noted that the Butcher was generally pretty keen to be Ms Clark's handbag too. He's no mug.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Is there any further proof of the PM having "assisted" passport procurement than Peter Leitch saying the PM told him "he'd sort it?" Because I can't see any in that article...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Russell Brown,

    For the first time since the RWC started, I had a wee taste of things outside my house, yesterday. I travelled back from my Mum's house, got off at Western Springs, and could see St Lukes Rd was chocka, so went the back way, to Mountain View Rd, and then up onto Western Springs Rd, to go down onto Morningside Dr. Which was apparently shut (although there were cars going down there), so up the hill and through Kingsland (which was churning with traffic and people) and all the way up New North Rd, up to Mt Eden Rd. I guess I should have checked the road closures, eh?

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Some local styles would have been more appropriate -- and would have sent all that performance rights money in a more productive direction.

    Hear hear. Who chooses the 'music'?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Eediot,

    Can someone get noise control to check the level of the PA at Eden Park? Painfully loud. My Sports Ears are currently getting more use as earplugs!

    Great weekend tho, great atmosphere everywhere and glad to see a more positive media spin.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 51 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Anyway, Dave was at work until 2pm on Sunday back at work at 11 and is taking today off. The asshole levels, again, were pleasingly low but one pretty serious complaint: Some folks really need to get a grip on the idea that playing "crossing against the signal" chicken is a game you're eventually going to lose.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Public Address reader Jen Lander reported on the night that 15 police officers unexpectedly lined up, “high vis vests, very staunch” and shut it down:

    Well, isn't that what they do?
    Pike River rescue operation, shut it down.
    Christchurch City recovery effort, shut it down.
    Traffic on road, shut it down.
    Successful Pot growing operation, shut it down.
    People not drinking enough but still having fun, shut it down.
    Brewery organising piss up and blocking transport routes, ignore.
    For everything else, set up a camera.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Some folks really need to get a grip on the idea that playing "crossing against the signal" chicken is a game you're eventually going to lose.

    If you're a D-list celeb, that kind of meathedery is still treated as a reason to buy a lotto ticket.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    I'm all for the Warrior baby getting to Oz for the final...

    Am I just being a grinch or is taking a 2 week old baby on a trans Tasman flight unless you really really have to just a touch unwise? And I really do hope that they are not contemplating taking it to the final!

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Seriously, playing chicken with trains?

    Weren't the announced beefed-up arrangements after the opening night debacle supposed to include security staff on all level crossings?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • andin, in reply to Russell Brown,

    He’s no mug.

    Yet he hasn't figured out the only reason anyone gives him and his retinue of rings the time of day, is his large wallet.
    F*#kwit.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    ...Just an or away from enmity...
    But back in the day when "too rights" meant we had a real Left...
    One gargantuan figure bestrode the stage - Big Norm

    and Listen to an excerpt here
    (thanks to Don Wilson)

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Jackie Clark,

    I guess I should have checked the road closures, eh?

    It's almost as if you did and then decided to use those. ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    Seriously, playing chicken with trains?

    No, cars – it was pretty much all hands on deck for marshalling passengers who (for the most part) were pretty benign.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Yes, yes, I know.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Jackie Clark,

    Mt Albert Road, next time, eh :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Further to the entertainment thing, I gather there have been urgent requests for more live acts for the later stages of the tournament -- presumably for Captain Cook Wharf -- and the Music Industry Commission has been busy trying to fulfill them.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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