Thanks, Christopher. Surely if that were put together with the Viaduct, its new Events Centre and the private hospitality venues of both precincts, there'd be enough capacity – and choice.

But as I said on t'other thread, the ARC's proposal is in no way incompatible with using the wharf too.…

Someone was questioning on Labour's Red Alert blog whether the RWC hosting rights came with a requirement to create a…

The answer is 20k.

Which sounds about right for a nice party central.

I heard on the news that Haden had his phone off and was basically in hiding from the rest of the world.

Rubbish. TV news had audio clips of several phone calls to Haden's place during the period in question.

Haden resigned without ever hearing a word from McCully*, if that is true it is a fairly damning insight to how useless and ineffective McCully really is – John Quiche must be so looking forward to coming
home to this lot...

I heard on the news that Haden had his…

http://publicaddress.net/6742

Wankers.

'bloke' in quotes because I think that was what Haden was aiming at -'me mates will understand, they're good blokes.'

Most of the blokes in my whanau went…

This is pretty apt.
What party?

though Kerre should be careful about her
"old codger" comments...
she's only 4 years younger (born 1965)
than John Key (born 1961)
admittedly McCully was born in 1953...

...and I hadn't realised this Party Central was for after match festivities, I'd thought it was…

the deeply masochistic character of Randians

The randy Randian. Has a certain ring to it.

Imagine the watering holes en route.

I can imagine them, but I sure wouldn't fancy being in one.

the deeply masochistic character of Randians

They have a victim complex to sustain in the face of contrary evidence. Must be exhausting – though easier if you slag actual disadvantaged groups, I guess.

working through the rolodex of bigotry

Well put

Interesting given that Hayden would be one of those old skool Dad's that wouldn't give a fag like Perigo the time of the day. Adherence to the 'I may disagree with what you say but I'll fight for your right to say it' principle still has mileage I see.

It's…

Interesting given that Hayden would be one of those old skool Dad's that wouldn't give a fag like Perigo the time of the day.

It may be because Haden hasn't covered the gays yet. Give him a couple of weeks, he's just working through the rolodex of bigotry.

Lindsay Perigo speaks for the downtrodden and oppressed old white men of New Zealand, calling Haden's neanderthal utterances "courageous".

Interesting given that Hayden would be one of those old skool Dad's that wouldn't give a fag like Perigo the time of the day. Adherence to the 'I may disagree with…

pedestrian access to the Bond Street overbridge

This all makes sense until you have 20,000 merry supporters leaning over the rails above the motorway. Apart from what they would hurl on to traffic, I'd have some concerns for their, and others', safety.

Mind you we have to be careful of…

"It is to be hoped Sky TV will not now lose its nerve as it did over the Murray Mexted affair, and…

The amount of suits in Kingsland t'other night after an Eden Park ditty, said to me, that's where all the peoples will go for a drink after a game,Handy, walk to,easy going, sheltered.

I've maintained all along that a common sense appreciation of human behaviour should tell you Kingsland is…

I was looking for a bucket

It's always in the last place you puke.

If TV One news (Sat night) is to be believed, Haden resigned without ever hearing a word from McCully

TV3 said Mccully on hearing the news said he was saddened. That he had been a good ambassador.I didn't hear the rest, I was looking for a bucket.
More views on…

2. These dicks have totally harshed my buzz.

These dicks did that to me quite some time ago, but yeah, totally.
The amount of suits in Kingsland t'other night after an Eden Park ditty, said to me, that's where all the peoples will go for a drink after a game,Handy,…

I don't get the party central concept.

I was all for it for a while — largely because it meant the opening up of Queen's Wharf, which is such a step forward for the CBD, after so long.

But two things have happened:

1. I am basically convinced, on talking…

If you need 'em, feel free to just copy these ones: ;)

nice to see us colonials ain't lost the comma touch...

.....and 5 hours later.....
after much ado about keyboard, bookmarked. ;) thanks bud. ;) :)

If you need 'em, feel free to just copy
these ones: ;

nice to see us colonials ain't lost the comma touch...

my colon,semi colon key wont work dammit.

If you need 'em, feel free to just copy these ones: ;)

"Well now its time to say good by to Jed and all his kin.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in.
You're all invited back again to this locality
To have a heapin helpin of their hospitality

Hillybilly…

DUDE WHERE IS MY CYCLEWAY?

John Key opened a cycleway last week. There's about six cycleways underway with government funding at the moment I believe.

I don't get the party central concept. Don't most places either use existing venues – sports grounds, stadia, or close off central areas like queen…

Go Sofie! (Just caught up on your Northland flickr file = wow!)

Just got back. Added a few more shots of the "creating what will be the driveway".I now have aching muscles I didn't know existed. Of course I've added sunset photos too. Quite sensational light this time of year.…

I have a theory about why Party Central is such a mess. The National Government hasn't ever really partied. Not that hard-as, break of dawn, where's-my-shoe kind of partying.

In which case, they should just make it Fu Bar. You can fit vast numbers of people into that tiny space,…

Haden hates ostriches too? I'm pretty sure that's not against the law.

No, the nanny state outlawed that under the Electoral Finance Act, and it's also covered by the ETS (although grandfathered until 2049).

What they think of is partying is corporate events – a table draped with a…

Referendum on introducing legislation to provide for ostracism, anyone?

Haden hates ostriches too? I'm pretty sure that's not against the law.

V. loud HAH = lollll Giovanni!

I had been looking for an opening for a carbon dating joke for YEARS. It's good to finally get that hominid off my back.

they're carbon dating.

a suitable case for deep sea sequestration
let him be fossil fool for future folk...

He's already an embarrassing dinosaur, but then so is McCully so I guess it might take him a little longer to do the right thing.

I can in fact reveal that he and Jane Clifton are not dating – they're carbon dating.

To One News, Mr McCully said: "We come to Auckland where there is this train-wreck of a local government set up and, frankly, it's very hard to do business here."

"Nothing could be as bad as what we have at the moment. As an Aucklander, I find this embarrassing."

Well…

As usual, our brave leaders are just focusing on the appearance – the reported speech – rather than the intent it reveals (much as they prefer to focus on the process of leaks rather than their content). Haden…

"I'm sure those two [Mr Haden and Mr McCully] are having a conversation and where it goes, I guess we'll leave in the hands of Mr McCully."

What?

Stuff reports:

This evening, Prime Minister John Key said he had not spoken to Mr McCully yet, but had seen…

I find that panda's smile somewhat unnerving. I'm such a prude.

Panda-moan-I-um, what?

Andy Panda
on the ropes...

I find that panda's smile somewhat unnerving. I'm such a prude.

Nothing like a bit of the other eh Andy?

Pleasure Sir? or pain madam (or miss)?

I think we should force him to dress up
in a panda costume

and that'll pander to the errant sportsman stereotype, a little wham bam (thank you ma'am),
a little "boo", then eats roots and leaves
(or was that kiwis in general...?)

Haden will be gone by the end of the day.

Yesterday's man is outski all right.

Haden will be gone by the end of the day

Seems so

Being a sporting country, we should give him a choice.

I think we should force him to dress up in a panda costume – one without a mouth hole – and then we get our panda, AND he shuts up. Everybody wins.

a) The new detention centre in East Timor.
b) Wear this mask, especially on talk shows.

Then he can say what he really thinks

Right. Referendum on introducing legislation to provide for ostracism, anyone?

"There's no shame in being a pariah."

"I don't think what you should be doing in life as a young woman is putting yourself at risk which is what they were doing."

(from Stuff article)

gosh, will Mr Haden elaborate on his experience
as a young woman...
and he seems to have a confused memory
of the…

Remember this bloke? F&%k it, he'll stay down there!!

Good on ya mate!

Can we sack Haden as a New Zealander? I'd vote for that.

Isn't NZBen our new mayor? I'm sure he would approve that move.

Because surely he has to sack Haden from that RWC Ambassador thing now?

Can we sack Haden as a New Zealander? I'd vote for that.

Because surely he has to sack Haden from that RWC Ambassador thing now?

Patronage analysis? So they have contacted a good sample of the potential visitors and asked them if they would like to disembark from our imaginary trains somewhere other than the Central City?
I bet they have... NOT!

I don't know whether they have or haven't but I suggest the following.…

Transport authority spokeswoman Sharon Hunter said her…

The Viaduct Event Centre the council is building is an obvious contender. It's the right size, it's in a harbour-front position, and is near the waterfront restaurants and bars. Alternatively, there's the Vector Arena, a warm, snug and dry haven, that could be very attractive in late-winter…

But in April, when the Government and the ARC agreed, subject to consultation with the Historic Places Trust, to spend $9.6 million building a temporary "party…

Dear Auckland,
Thanks for the LOLZ!
Luv
the rest of NZ

That's how it's being played, for sure. When it comes to national interference in your local government, though, you guys are next. Of course, you might find it harder to spot, with the national govt being so close by…

John Banks discovers the astonishing idea of having a RWC party area within an existing party area.

So they have noticed the new Viaduct events centre. It's impressive, on the waterfront, being built in time, already paid for – and what do you know, designed to host events. Sketches at…

There just needs to be a few hay bales thrown around, name the sheds the "shearing shed" or the "wool barn", and wheel in a few kegs.

I like that. I've discussed a scaled up bbq theme with some. Widespread Pakeha culture, easy for many hosts to feel comfortable with,…

In PFC news: John Banks discovers the astonishing idea of having a RWC party area within an existing party area.

Luv
the rest of NZ

People are going to watch the rugby not the interior decorating.

And herein is my major disagreement with all rugby.
Not enough attention paid to the interior decorating.
Make of that, what you will.

Its all muscly braggadocio, false humility, and a whole bunch of New age cum marketing catchphrases…

I presume this might have been in some of the briefing papers available to elected reps.

Sorry it was a verbal briefing. Presumably a report will come out in due course.

I don't know the capacity of Aotea Square but I'll find out.

People are going to watch the rugby…

Tasers? Oh great. Who would get them?

The Rock asked which New Zealander listeners thought ought to get a dose of high voltage, in the wake of Shon Key's comment to McCaw. A goodly number of the callers/texters – and one should consider that the Rock isn't exactly a hot…

Party central in Auckland will be a teeny, tiny bit of the…

Fscking rainbows, how do they work?

archly they set arrows of white light aquiver
refracting drop by drop a spectral bow wave

infrared to ultraviolet and betwixt withal
Bifrost spans Asgard to Midgard infradig

but mostly they are magic
foam on particulate waves

viscerally…

What happened to Aotea Square with its big screen?

It's still there. The Square (undergoing renovation) is due to be opened on October the 2nd. I've said to officers that it'll open then come hell or high water and if we have to wear safety hats and steel capped boots,…

*people in local areas where matches are held will celebrate (or mourn)in their own venues & their own ways-

*people in areas where the big matches are held will do the same and
*people throughout…

But then again: Party Fucking Central! A giant swingers club on Queens Wharf. That'll keep the punters entertained.

If you're nominating Paul the Octopus for Super City Mayor (and perhaps Minister of the World Cup too), I'll happily second that.

Go right ahead. But make sure Paul is enrolled to vote – deadline is August 20.

Piss up. Brewery. Couldn't. A. Organise. In. A.

I have a sneaking suspicion that many of the people involved in these plans should've been instantly disqualified for thinking it's pronounced 'par-tay'.

There will be extensive liquor industry involvement either way, is what you're telling us. :)

I'm looking for a sponsor.

At this stage it's looking like being my current one which is the Ministry of Education.

We have this deal whereby I manage 120 teenagers each day in exchange for…

Just a minor point but the weather might not be TOOOO bad. Tournament runs from September 9 to October 23 which is in spring, not winter.

September is the 4th wettest month (116mm) after July, June and August, while October is the 3rd driest month (91mm) with…

"I'm not sure what Mike Lee was smoking," the World Cup Minister told 3 News.

The Herald and others keep claiming the ARC have "changed their tune" – comparing their decision with one earlier utterance by…

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10657398

He even gets in a Supercity sales pitch.

To One News, Mr McCully said: "We come to Auckland where there is this train-wreck of a local government set up and, frankly, it's very hard to do business here."

"Nothing could be as bad as…

Do you think John Key has ever actually partied? Like, real hard-as?

Well, there was that "Groove into the future with National" thing a few years back. Although I don't recall the news footage showing him partying much. Or at least none of the hard-as variety.

I'm sure it's in the Guinness Book somewhere.

Mix and mingle as applicable.

I think I'll heave, too

Then he'll heave two back at ya!

Piers d'resistance

"Wharf wharf" it's a dog!

Shanks – could be a good knees up too.

Skin your shed and let's get started

We could all go skinny dipping, with the Octopus?
This just had to be played. Bring the cheese, and beware the Octopus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krcoz4_XC5s&feature=related

I sincerely hope some bright young student is keeping a close eye on this. It would make for a great Masters research project.

Hmmm! Mine seem too busy out partying to keep a close eye on anything.

We have a perfectly good shed down the back. Put a few Welsh…

"the visible spectrum...is full of rainbows"

come and get it while the meme is hot.

Tasers? Oh great. Who would get them?

McCully deserves it.

It's time Prime Minister John Key popped the dummy back in Murray McCully's mouth and sent him off to the Chris Carter home for over-stressed politicians.

Threatening to take all his toys back to Wellington if Aucklanders don't kowtow to his…

Can you guys please stop contributing to the Octopus Threat?

Damn, it's a whole new arms race.

Oh, you said huge anchors!

it'll be a fluke if McCully can get anything solidly bedded before 2011...

Life gnaws anchors away...
what with the new knife laws, shanks and other barbs will be illegal by then anyway...

I think I'll heave, too...

If you're nominating Paul the Octopus for Super City Mayor ....I say give Paul the Octopus a hammer or eight and let him fix the shed

Can you guys please stop contributing to the Octopus Threat? Thanks in advance from the whole Human Race.

I say give Paul the Octopus a hammer or eight and let him fix the shed.

hmmm Auckland – eight arms to hold you (a party) – we should move the goon squad at full force and hip hop over to Princess Wharf surely!
eh Simon…

are you sure you don't mean like this rainbow lady? dunno what she's on, but it ain't E.

Were there bullet holes in her fence?

"What does it mean?"

"Well, in about 45 seconds we're going to get wet."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6HsiixFS8

Somewhere over the rainbow
Weigh a Pie
or
ROY G BIV
Richard of york gave battle in vain
"Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue. I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing…

Oh, you said huge anchors!

roflnui

on form today, sir

I reckon he'd be a laugh on E.

Like this guy, whatever he's on? Goes to show, party central is where you find it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGqtxdKjqbI

Oh, you said huge anchors!

Late in January I enjoyed a fabulous weeks holiday up North of Whangarei staying in a friends bach. It was great, a deserted little holiday community on a gorgeous horse shoe bay with everyone back at work and the weather…

If you're nominating Paul the Octopus for Super City Mayor (and perhaps Minister of the World Cup too), I'll happily second that.

Well, my favourite candidate is no longer available, so I'll vote Paul too. In the name of equal opps for sea-creatures.

If you're nominating Paul the Octopus for Super City Mayor (and perhaps Minister of the World Cup too), I'll happily second that.

That’s exactly what I’m proposing. Decisive, always right, and transparent in his decision making.

He could think up a new name for Party Central while he’s at it.…

I am struggling today with an actual shocker of a hangover – not funny, not clever, but sadly true

Tut tut Russell. Its how we drink you know. Bad Kava....er...karma....

The fact that it is a shed says it all. How many more of these things do Jafas want? AC…

If you're nominating Paul the Octopus for Super City Mayor (and perhaps Minister of the World Cup too), I'll happily second that.

The 17 million stated includes the strengthening of the wharf in general and has bugger all to do with the shed. 8 fucking million is a joke, who's getting the back hander here?.

Yeah why don't they just buy Avondale Racecourse? It's already set up for large scale boozing and…

screening the games on our expansive new deck.

Do I get to tender for said job? ;-)
On the subject of the shed, I see nothing wrong with keeping an old shed, that undoubtedly has some history all be it not much, but 8 million dollars? who the hell did those…

If the All Blacks don't win the World Cup, Party Central will be a failure. Missed tackles and beaming Springboks don't look any better…

And I'm old enough to remember just how consistently ghastly and tasteless so much of McCully's wardrobe and look has been over the years – the idea that a…

I reckon he'd be a laugh on E.

Better still... Or even better still...

Seriously though, it's looking more and more like someone can't organise a piss-up in a brewery.

Since Mr Key announced plans for party central in June last year, his vision of "a mass public opening ceremony and the magnet for fans who can't be at games" has been a planning and political shambles.

Did he mean a mass public opening of party central…

Which immediately instantiated an image of JK quivering with indecision over what to hug first........

Depends who he's negotiating a trade agreement with at the time.

I reckon he'd be a laugh on E.

Which immediately instantiated an image of JK quivering with indecision over what to hug first........

Combine the incompetence of McCully,…

Someone must have already tipped him off about RB's house extension.

Has Johhny partied? If the ‘slug’ or whatever eventuates he should be required to have a couple of lines, half bottle of voddy, and keep hydrated with cold beer till dawn just for…

Do you think John Key has ever actually partied? Like, real hard-as?

I reckon he'd be a laugh on E.

I say Party Central(e) should be at some persons Pt Chev pad. Having a few thousand people over for white wine and Xbox Rugby after a test match should be pretty mellow.

Actually, we'll have our house extensions done by then. I'm thinking about buying a video projector on Trade…

And if you can work out what's actually going on on the basis of this morning's Herald news story, you're doing better than I am.

No even going to try — can we please decide who's going to be massively incompetent and stick it? Not seeing the need for a…

I say Party Central(e) should be at some persons Pt Chev pad.

Party at Russell Brown's Place! That's got a ring to it.