Island Life by David Slack

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Island Life: I am curious. Yellow?

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  • Paul Campbell,

    or if you're somewhere a bit colder remember the old maxim from Mr Z: "don't go where the huskies go, don't you eat that ..."

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    As a South Islander I could imagine at very little cost a large expanse bordered by safety rails/fences to stop party folk falling off, seating of casual nature,an area raised as in stage, (so that John Banks Super City President could say "I had a dream....") water, power for temporary sales places and a safe way to walk on/off. The bill for this will be $3.5 million.
    OR your square free of traffic would be cheaper and more accessible.

    Hey! Why not have a referendum. "Should Auckland have or not have a Party Space as part of Good Drinking Support and prevent innocent drinkers from being criminalised and should Sir John Banks be given direct appointment as the Boss?" YES or NO?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    . . . bordered by safety rails/fences to stop party folk falling off . . .

    Party folk, as in aged paid-up CitRats?

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Patricia,

    On this topic on RNZ this morning, John Banks sounded umm unconvincing, I thought. I am wondering why you need a Party Central for the RWC anyway? Wouldn't it be more fun to have the crowds spread out over the inner city? I fear that decisions will be made in haste and white elephants will be the result.

    But, hell it is not my city, not my rates!

    behind the couch • Since Dec 2008 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    I believe with ships it's possible/usual for customs to clear them into the country and then they can be publically accessible. At least, that used to happen when I worked on ships.

    But maybe to speed the turnround that doesn't happen with cruise ships nowadays?

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

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Also, does 40-below refer to a maximum waistline in inches? And if so, how did Farrar get in?

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

  • Paul Campbell,

    for the RWC mixing the customs clearing of cruise ships and parrrtry! probably wont be that big a deal - presumably the ships will be taking rugby fans around the country during the RWC - they only have to be cleared when they first arrive - after that they can be open - probably the real problem will be keeping the party on the docks .....

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    But, hell it is not my city, not my rates!

    Well, if I heard him right, if the Government doesn't stump up with another whacking great cheque Auckland City is taking its ball and going home. I presume you pay taxes?

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

  • Paul Campbell,

    (channeling Farrar's mob)

    Actually I'm surprised that a National government, that bastion of private enterprise would engage in such a think bug orgy of public spending.

    Here in Dunedin we have many small private establishments that already provide these services for free - we call them "bars"

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    err "think big" - but "think bug" works too

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    (channeling Farrar's mob)

    Actually I'm surprised that a National government, that bastion of private enterprise would engage in such a think bug orgy of public spending.

    Cheers, Paul. I'd like to think anyone with half a brain would be raising their eyebrows at Banks' performance on Morning Report. But hey, there's no credibility issues around being told we've all got to wear a fiscal corset for the foreseeable future but there's great wads of cash being pulled out of all kinds of arses for this...

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

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Meanwhile, if someone would like to make the street lights outside my house actually work, I'd be most appreciative. No rush.

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

  • Tom Beard,

    Here in Dunedin we have many small private establishments that already provide these services for free - we call them "bars"

    And part of the problem with downtown Auckland is that there's no concentrated cluster of bars with adjoining large public space that is either pedestrianised or can be pedestrianised for an event. That's presumed neccesary fo rthis sort of event, as there would be far too many fans to fit in the existing bars, and they want to put up a giant screen to show the games.

    The Viaduct has plenty of bars, but it sounds like the public space isn't adequate. Aotea Square might be large enough, but has no adjacent bars. There are good bars throughout the city in places like Vulcan Lane, High/O'Connell St, K Rd and occasionally west of Queen St, but they're scattered, without large public spaces or closable streets, and aren't the typical destinations for rugby fans (which is probably why I know them).

    In Wellington we have Courtenay Place, and despite it being avoided by all right-thinking Wellingtonians, it can be closed off and makes a natural destination for big events. But as an entertainment precinct it has evolved over the last couple of decades, and is surrounded by a lot of other uses that means it's lively even when it isn't "party central". Whether you can create such a precinct from scratch in a couple of years, and maintain its viability once the scrums have departed, is a big question.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Tom Beard: knows his urban design. Knows his bars.

    Is there anything else we'd be looking for in a supermayor? Just sayin'.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Richard C,

    Whether you can create such a precinct from scratch in a couple of years, and maintain its viability once the scrums have departed, is a big question.

    Spot on.On that, I wonder why the square (currently yet another car park) behind Britomart hasn't been considered? It's certainly large enough and they already have *some* bars in place.

    Perhaps the roof above the platforms isn't stong enough to take the weight of party central. Whatever the case, it's a dreadful waste of space as it is...

    Waiheke Island • Since Oct 2007 • 27 posts Report Reply

  • Ian MacKay,

    Tom Beard: Does the Party need to be one central place? Why not have two or three centres and at least 2 could have big screens? My adult kids used to like to drift from venue to venue when partying.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Does the Party need to be one central place? Why not have two or three centres and at least 2 could have big screens?

    Probably not: even in Wellington, we've tended to have screens at both Queens Wharf and Courtenay Place. In Auckland, which is bigger & less centralised, that approach could work even better. But there are probably good sponsorship & other reasons for one primary location.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Tom Beard: Does the Party need to be one central place? Why not have two or three centres and at least 2 could have big screens? My adult kids used to like to drift from venue to venue when partying.

    I believe the Cuba Carnival springs to mind.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Is there anything else we'd be looking for in a supermayor? Just sayin'.

    A willingness to do whatever Robyn Gallagher tells them.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Meanwhile, if someone would like to make the street lights outside my house actually work, I'd be most appreciative. No rush.

    I suspect if you can somehow link your street to the world cup (any All Blacks live near by that go for evening jogs?) it'll be fixed in a jiffy.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Mike Graham,

    While I am in favour of the opening up of the waterfront, I'm confused as to why the City Council should be involved with providing the Cruise Ship terminal (or have I got that wrong?).

    Auckland definitely needs some better facilities for the cruise ships, but shouldn't the Port Authority be providing those? AIA provide the infrastructure at the airport, in return for landing fees from the airlines, and I would assume that the Port collects revenue from the cruise ship companies when their ships berth at the port.

    There is also the obvious conflict (which I think was mentioned on another thread) between providing an open public space, but also a facility which has to be locked down for customs and immigration purposes when a ship is berthed there.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I'm actually relying on cost to hold back any dreams of edifice-building on the wharf. The cheapest option -- open space -- is, IMO, the one we need. Call me an optimist.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Mike Graham,

    Russell - You're an optimist! I think that time is a huge factor as well. By the time we've worked out who is paying for it all, there won't be time to build an edifice (prior to RWC anyway).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I heard the name 'Party Central' and recalled that tragically un-hip '40-Below' function they held for grooving Nats of the Farrar generation.

    Shudder. I'd mercifully forgotten that. It helps explain why the Nats believe collectives can't organise anything good when that's their reference point.

    I believe the constraining factors are the expense of the large screens and the desire to retain sufficient crowd size around them. However, there's little to stop them putting one centre in Aotea Square (where the Council was already planning) and one at the bottom which as Ian says would encourage drift between them past all those lucrative watering holes.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Joshua Arbury,

    I agree Russell, the city has plenty of buildings. What we need is some open space, preferably grassed with a nice fountain or two and a great sculpture right down the end.

    I'm curious to see what the banana sheds are like on the inside actually..... though i suspect the one further towards the end of the wharf is actually just going to be annoying and get in the way of a decent open space.

    Auckland • Since May 2009 • 237 posts Report Reply

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