Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Some Week

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  • Tom Semmens,

    I would humbly submit that the hijacking of a plan to unify the entire local governance of the South Island by Rodney Hide and the rest of his four percenters would be of more than passing interest in Auckland to. And remember, there is only a million peeps down south - there is around 1.4 million affected up here.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    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 probably doesn't raise a lot of interest in Auckland. I guess its just human nature that what's closest to you is what's more likely to get your attention. Do you guys have paved roads in, Dunedin? (Joke - don't hurt me. Please.)

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

  • simon g,

    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 good health to the MP for the West Coast (whose name escapes me), but if he happens to keel over and there's a by-election, I doubt it would be getting saturation news coverage, even if National's candidate said crims were driving over from Nelson.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

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

    Dude, if that were in my power ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    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.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    I suppose you are always going to get the "Home Counties" effect given the dominance of Auckland population and culturally wise.

    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 in a way it isn't on the West Coast.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I guess that Cat Power record allows one to like Oasis without the stigma. Using Ableton you can play it at the same speed as the original, too (but it only lasts 1:30).

    Has she done any REM or U2 covers/

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    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?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    'With all due respect' always means the exact opposite, surely? Unless you're Michael Corleone trying to get permission to court that hot Sicilian.

    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. :)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    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.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Paul Litterick,

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

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

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1000 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    Danielle,

    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.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • LegBreak,

    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.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    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 kicking, just slightly less of one.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    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 posted there. I'm practically rural when it comes down to it.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • dc_red,

    @craigr

    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 (whose name escapes me)

    I believe he's an anchovy.

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    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 drum up some Friday afternoon fun cause FFS we need it after this week...)

    Parnell / Tamaki-Auckland… • Since Sep 2008 • 659 posts Report

  • Knowledge Bro,

    One point that Melissa Lee overlooked in her inane illustration of the "advantage" of dividing a suburb with a surface mounted motorway. Not only would it shield the law abiding peoples of Mount Albert from the marauding hoards of Mount Roskill and points south it would also preclude the kids from popping over to Grannies place after school whilst you were still at work.
    If I remember correctly there was a similar outcry over the closing of a pedestrian underpass to protect the God fearing innocents of Howick or somewhere equally perfect.

    Behind the fridge • Since Mar 2009 • 58 posts Report

  • Joshua Arbury,

    Thanks for the kind words Russell. It has certainly been one hell of a week.

    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 local level.

    Nick Smith's reading of the RMA Amendment Bill does not fill me with confidence though

    The first tranche of reforms deals with projects of national significance. There are real problems in how long it takes to get major infrastructure projects through under the consenting process, particularly as they have to go through a local consenting process and, inevitably, end up at the Environment Court. We need only look at examples—such as the Albany to Pūhoi realignment B2 (ALPURT B2) in Auckland, which took nearly a decade, and the Wellington City bypass, which took 17 years—to see the need for reform.

    The tricky balance we need to recognise is that these projects have both a local and a national dimension to them. It is a gross simplification to say they are all either national or local. That is why this bill takes an innovative approach in creating a single board of inquiry, but with the capacity of local authorities to nominate board members on to those boards, and also an amendment to ensure that local knowledge is an important factor. The bill provides for a single-step process that recognises both the local and national dimensions of projects.

    The boards will be chaired by a current or retired Environment Court judge to ensure independence. There are tight timelines of 9 months for reaching a decision, and restrained appeal rights, to ensure that we can build important infrastructure for our country.

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/Debates/e/4/e/49HansD_20090219_00000744-Resource-Management-Simplifying-and-Streamlining.htm

    So... no local hearing, a strict 9 month time limit on the consent process and limited rights of appeal.

    Thinking about establishing some sort of "stop the motorway" association - my boss talked to Duncan McDonald from the Avondale Business Association this morning. Anyone else interested?

    Auckland • Since May 2009 • 237 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    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 hills". To what extent that's true...

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    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. Really.

    Like most developed democracies, New Zealand makes an effort to welcome visitors in a friendly manner. The distinctive Kiwi touch is that as you make your way through the corridors leading from your arrival gate to passport control, you are serenaded by a delightful background sound of birds chirping, played through hidden speakers.

    It’s quite a contrast to the brutal fuck-you that greets foreigners arriving in the United States. Here, the lines are short and the officials polite; at J.F.K., arriving foreigners run a gauntlet of delays, ugliness, sullen contempt, and near chaos while being treated alternately as cattle or potential terrorists. Here the baggage carts are free; at J.F.K. you have to pay for them. Here, a welcome stand offers free tea and coffee; at J.F.K., the shakedowns begin almost as soon as you hit the ground.

    Screw "100% Pure", try "Fuck You! Hah, Just Kidding!" instead.

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

  • Geoff Lealand,

    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 the 5th Avenue men's clobber shop!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • giovanni tiso,

    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 my son through last year in spite of the fact that he didn't actually have appropriate documentation (ops). They are always courteous and nice, and 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.

    Those guys are fantastic.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    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.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    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 great.

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

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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