Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Cullen investment

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  • Gareth Ward,

    10 is including Waiheke and Gt Barrier though.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • Heather W.,

    According to Auckland City Council population of Auckland CBD as of 2006 census was 17,937.


    Plus - the things they say on the way out ...

    Dr Cullen says, after the election loss, the attraction of politics disappeared. He says while it's been fun in Parliament's debating chamber it does not add up to being a grown up - something he says he's now been for quite a long time.

    From Yahoo.co.nz

    North Shore • Since Nov 2008 • 189 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Heather beat me to the census figure, but I'm damned if I could find a map showing where the CBD is .

    (Also: Massey University's website -- not great for a university with a comms faculty ...)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Goodoh,

    Pity Pita accepted his portfolio outside cabinet. Can't really complain that he's not in the tent can he?

    Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 25 posts Report

  • Gareth Ward,

    Sorry to keep barging in here, but SuperCity is something I'm really interested in.

    Herald reports that Key "said local bodies will have the power to raise rates to fund local initiatives"
    Ya whaaaaa? Really? Cause that goes against everything you say about one rates bill and a uniform rating system?

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

  • James Green,

    I'm damned if I could find a map showing where the CBD is.

    Could I commend this link, and aggregating contiguous CBD neighbourhoods until you get something the size you like?

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Sorry to keep barging in here ...

    We don't call it that. It's Knowledge, bro.

    Herald reports that Key "said local bodies will have the power to raise rates to fund local initiatives"
    Ya whaaaaa? Really? Cause that goes against everything you say about one rates bill and a uniform rating system?

    On any sane reading, yes it does. Let's see if they accuse the Herald of misreporting.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • James Green,

    OK. The 17,000 figure is likely Harbourside (4k) + Auckland Central East (7k) + Auckland Central West (7k).
    That area is loosely the triangle water - SH1 - Symonds St

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Could I commend this link, and aggregating contiguous CBD neighbourhoods until you get something the size you like?

    At 6.18pm after three glasses of wine? No, you may not.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • James Green,

    At 6.18pm after three glasses of wine? No, you may not.

    Heh. Lucky I'm still working, hence procrastinating, and worked it out.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report

  • Conor Roberts,

    I'm damned if I could find a map showing where the CBD is.

    Perhaps I could interest you in a helicopter ride?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 57 posts Report

  • Tass,

    "Herald reports that Key "said local bodies will have the power to raise rates to fund local initiatives""

    All written materials say that local bodies can ask the Auckland Council to raise local rates for local initiatives - it is clear that the rate will be decided at the Council level, not by the local bodies.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2008 • 7 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    I thought Graeme would at least be accurate in his area of expertise: yes, s55 of the Act has an MP vacating their seat when they become a public servant.

    But s3(2) of the Act specifically excludes board members from the definition of 'public servant'...

    Thus my quote was "This section of the Electoral Act is as close as you get ..."

    i.e. not close enough.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • andin,

    Sorry to keep barging in here, but SuperCity is something I'm really interested in.

    It must make something easier for someone, somewhere ...shurley.
    But who?

    And I dont want John Banks as mayor unless he owns up to having a beard all these years and comes out.

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report

  • James Francis,

    And I dont want John Banks as mayor unless he owns up to having a beard all these years and comes out.

    I don't want John Banks full stop. I saw him on Close Up tonight and he was doing this mumble-fuck about lifting New Zealand into the top half of the OECD - the National Party mantra from the last election - and he sounded like a little PR robot.

    What's the bet that Cits and Rats have already held meetings to decide how they're going to 'win' the City.

    That's the bit that scares me. Rich white men with a right-wing economic orthodoxy.

    St John's, Newfoundland • Since Nov 2006 • 121 posts Report

  • Barbara,

    Imagine John Banks with executive powers, and then tell me it's not a nightmare.

    Sandringham • Since Mar 2008 • 33 posts Report

  • James Francis,

    At least with a nightmare when you wake up it's gone.

    St John's, Newfoundland • Since Nov 2006 • 121 posts Report

  • ScottY,

    I don't want John Banks full stop. I saw him on Close Up tonight and he was doing this mumble-fuck about lifting New Zealand into the top half of the OECD - the National Party mantra from the last election - and he sounded like a little PR robot.

    I saw him on Campbell Live tonight and he was just spouting pre-rehearsed drivel about how he was going to make a difference to the people of New Zealand. Never mind that the man's clearly a meglomaniac - he looked like he was reading (badly) from an autocue.

    I suspect/hope Banks has little support in large sections of the Auckland region, such as Manukau and the West.

    Let's have a new rule with this supercity: anyone who is or has ever been a talkback radio host is banned from standing.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Barbara,

    who else would be likely to win? It seems as though we are destined to get local politicians with no vision. At least there were beacons of hope in our sister cities of Waitakere and Manukau, and under Mike Lee's stewardship the ARC too.

    It is very depressing

    Sandringham • Since Mar 2008 • 33 posts Report

  • ScottY,

    Why does everyone assume Banks will win? Why not someone like Len Brown or Bob Harvey? They're popular mayors and don't attract the same degree of antipathy as Banks.

    West • Since Feb 2009 • 794 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole,

    Why does everyone assume Banks will win? Why not someone like Len Brown or Bob Harvey? They're popular mayors and don't attract the same degree of antipathy as Banks.

    They don't attract the same level of personal liquidity as Banks, either. In an executive mayoral campaign, it's all about money because that's how you get in front of a million potential voters. Banks is rich, and can buy the media time. Brown and Harvey don't have the same resources.

    One can't help but suspect, too, that the necessary revision of spending limits for local body elections will be heavily tilted in favour of candidates with loads of dosh.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Mark Harris,

    Why does everyone assume Banks will win? Why not someone like Len Brown or Bob Harvey? They're popular mayors and don't attract the same degree of antipathy as Banks.

    I agree, though Harvey is not hugely popular outside his patch, I understand. What will be interesting is the impact south and west will have on the overall balance. There's lotsa voters in them thar hills...

    Need I say, I think the whole "SuperCity" idea is hugely doomed to failure? I thought not. I heard someone on a vox pop say "less red tape and bureaucrats" like it was a good thing. I wonder who it is he thinks gets his garbage carted away, or ensures his water supply. There's no way in hell that the proposal will reduce the number of bureaucrats and still supply the same or better level of service in all areas of local authority activities.

    There are ways to get Auckland councils to work better together, but not a "SuperCity". But first you have to stop electing idiots. 80-90% of all local government failure to work together, in my experience, has been down to the elected pollies, not the bureaucrats.

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report

  • James Francis,

    Banks has The Machine behind him.

    Bob Harvey has the charisma and the (sorry, hate to use this word but can't avoid it) vision but is going to be tainted with his Labour associations which someone like Banks, completely devoid of any self-awareness of the hypocrisy, will not hesitate to use.

    The first Mayor of Greater Auckland or whatever it's called is going to be critical. He or she are going to set the pattern for the future. If the election is based on slogans, divisions and petty politics, then I think the City's going to be stuffed before it's started.

    I would love to think that there was someone out there who wasn't an existing Mayor who could capture the imagination of the whole Auckland populace.

    Any nominations?

    St John's, Newfoundland • Since Nov 2006 • 121 posts Report

  • Ben McNicoll,

    I vote Helen!

    no, wait..

    oh crap.

    Grey Lynn • Since May 2007 • 115 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    Banks is rich, and can buy the media time. Brown and Harvey don't have the same resources.

    There is a spending limit of $70,000 in local elections of this size.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

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