Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Getting dressed for the party

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  • peter mclennan,

    On the Great North Rd footpaths being resealed - the number I recall is that 15% of the Eden Park crowds are predicted to walk to stadium. 9000 walkers... no toilets... McDs on Great North rd is gonna become really popular

    AK Central • Since Nov 2006 • 159 posts Report Reply

  • David Herkt,

    Wairepo Swamp Walk? I thought to myself, I've never noticed that. Then I read a more closely and realised that you were discussing the $3 mill right-of-way, the one with the Billy Apple lamps and designer paving, the one that I've seen, courtesy of a place of work, right from the get-go. The one that is precisely the length of two former houselots. "Short broad concourse"? Well you got that part right. And the lamps are signed by the master in deeply-engraved letterings. I think he designed the paving stones too. But, um, $3 million? For a right of way? I don't mean to be curmudgeonly, well I sort of do, but I'd rather $3 mill of library services. Be interested when the final balance comes in of expenditure on the WC and income gained from the same. I guess if you'd bought in the area you'd be calculating your improved values. But I do get the feeling that we are throwing a lot of cash at something that isn't going to quite equally recoup us in either tangible or intangible ways...

    Auckland • Since Sep 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    The street is named because the community board members considered tearing down houses to create a walkway used maybe 20 times a year a "swampy decision".

    See, the rugby company failed to add to their enabling laws a clause removing one of the few vestigial rights of community boards - naming of streets. Apparently the runner up names included Mandela Way and Minto March.

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

  • 3410,

    Auckland's first XV

    *Facepalm*.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Wairepo Swamp Walk? That's giving it airs and graces. Well, actually it really isn't. Did that come from the literally crap school of naming public places?

    Oh, it actually came from the not so crap Kowhai School next door, and is a tautology to boot. Swamp swamp walk.

    Cabbage. Tree. Swamp. It makes perfect sense, when you think about it.

    ETA: Hadn't seen Rich of O's post. Snappish.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to 3410,

    *Facepalm*.

    Yup, that's pretty cliched PR.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    First fifteen of Auckland. So.....north of the Bombay hillocks

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    So it's road-width, but two house-sections long? Sounds like the old joke about the pilot who lands the wrong way on the runway. "Widest runway I ever saw!" (to which the co-pilot adds "yep, and the shortest").

    Can it be turned into a pocket park after the RWC is over with? Something the locals can actually use, rather than a pointless concourse?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    The whole RWC seems like impending cultural doom - we were looking last night into cashing in all our frequent flier miles to escape for the duration - but it seems that most of the dates a blacked out .... we're trapped

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa,

    Or, good spot for a farmers' market?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    The whole RWC seems like impending cultural doom

    Luckily, someone has thoughtfully leaked the application form:

    Auckland's first XV Selection Criteria:

    Appointments shall be based on candidates' highest scores (out of a possible 100 points) in the following three (3) categories (in aggregate):


    01. Sports legend (score out of 20 points)

    02. Media profile (score out of 40 points)

    03. Being a wanker (score out of 40 points)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • recordari, in reply to 3410,

    Luckily, someone has thoughtfully leaked the application form:

    Heh, that's a bit harsh. Some of the people on that list are really nice, and even worthy ambassadors, if we have to have them, which I'm not sure we do.

    Still, you wanna call Ruben Wiki a wanker, then can I get tickets? Mind you he'd probably just laugh, pat you on the back, and offer you a water bottle. Because he is actually that nice of a person from what I gather.

    Also, glad to hear your experience was a good one Russell, because I went to the now infamous league game at Eden Park and it was every bit as bad as people reported.

    ETA: And if anyone says anything nasty about Carol Hirschfeld. Well, just don't.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    well Trelise Cooper just screams 1st XV rugby material …

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Glenn Pearce,

    Or, good spot for a farmers' market?

    It's a 24hr skateboard park according to some locals I know....

    Auckland • Since Feb 2007 • 504 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi, in reply to Paul Campbell,

    The whole RWC seems like impending cultural doom – we were looking last night into cashing in all our frequent flier miles to escape for the duration – but it seems that most of the dates a blacked out …. we’re trapped

    The People's Republic of Devonport is putting a plan into action to disable all ferries across the harbour (possibly with trained giant otters, details TBA) and sticking a roadblock at Narrowneck to keep out anyone who responds to the prompt "Rugby?" with "Maaaaaaate."

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

  • 3410,

    Still, you wanna call Ruben Wiki a wanker, then can I get tickets?

    I didn't do that. I presume he would have scored extremely highly in the first two categories and barely at all in the third. :)

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Glenn Pearce,

    Some of the people on that list are really nice, and even worthy ambassadors

    I'm certain that's true, I met Bernice Mene once, a number of years ago, and she's charming. It's the lame PR that's the issue.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Paul Williams,

    I’m certain that’s true, I met Bernice Mene once, a number of years ago, and she’s charming. It’s the lame PR that’s the issue.

    Quite. And I must confess that had I been asked – and there was no prospect of that – then I’d have had trouble turning down that plum little gig. I just rather doubt the effectiveness of it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Andre Alessi,

    That seems similar to the plans for a gate at the bottom of Cuba Mall.

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

  • Russell Brown, in reply to recordari,

    Also, glad to hear your experience was a good one Russell, because I went to the now infamous league game at Eden Park and it was every bit as bad as people reported.

    Glad I missed that one. But I can see the Warriors moving to Eden Park, even though it's well away from their real support base, because it's such a well-set venue. Like I said, that neighbourhood has changed for good.

    Personally, I favoured the waterfront stadium ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    Some of the people on that list are really nice, and even worthy ambassadors

    Certainly. The sports and business sides of things are covered nicely, but, IMO, the selection of cultural representatives is, on balance, quite disappointing.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Andre Alessi,

    The People's Republic of Devonport is putting a plan into action to disable all ferries across the harbour (possibly with trained giant otters, details TBA) and sticking a roadblock at Narrowneck to keep out anyone who responds to the prompt "Rugby?" with "Maaaaaaate."

    <gasp!> You had that dream, too! Now, if only we can persuade another 998 cats...erm, people to dream it, too!

    (obscure Neil Gaiman references: I haz them)

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

  • Paul Williams,

    Fears of being overrun by rugby fans might need to be balanced against the prospect that they'll also be Australians. The AUD is very strong at the moment and I know a good number of Aussies heading your way.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Paul Williams,

    The AUD is very strong at the moment and I know a good number of Aussies heading your way.

    And I, for one, welcome our new Aussie-dollar overlords.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I’m certain that’s true, I met Bernice Mene once, a number of years ago, and she’s charming

    Furthermore, the hubby's a Hard News reader from way back ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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