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Speaker: Party Central, structures and silos

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  • Ian Dalziel,

    a nice picture of “Murray the McMicroManager”
    prior to dropping the ball and with every
    cell in his body back-pedalling furiously…

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Rail politik...
    The Herald reports:

    There was such a drop-off in passengers, Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully travelled almost alone in a carriage when he went by train to watch Australia take on Ireland.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    a nice picture of “Murray the McMicroManager”

    You've identified the iconic image, sho' nuff. Amazing that it ain't Photoshopped.

    Murray McCully travelled almost alone in a carriage . . .

    Does Veolia have some ex-Stalin era rolling stock for these special occasions?

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Riding on the City of Auckland...*

    ex-Stalin era rolling stock

    more "laughing stock" methinks...
    and best be careful we don't wander into Raybon Kan's
    quicksand territory...

    *Arlo, arlo...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    Amazing that it ain't Photoshopped.

    It is. He's only got half a foot. The rest of it is firmly planted up his arse.:)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    There was such a drop-off in passengers

    The Mayor on the Q&A show this morning said the numbers using public transport to the game were the same as the previous week. Auckland Transport tweeted totals last night:

    23,300 used public transport from the #RWC2011 match at #EdenPark. 13,100 on trains and 10,200 on special event buses

    I haven't seen numbers only to the stadium for the previous week yet, only some network-wide totals that also included regular commuters and the crowd at the waterfront.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Leopold, in reply to BenWilson,

    "Good point. The best strategy for dealing with National might be to ignore Key altogether. To neither ask nor answer any questions to or from him, addressing them always to the people who are technically responsible for everything, the ministers. "

    The Norman Kirk technique for dealing with Muldoon. Worked quite well. Unfortunately Rowling et al never kept it up after Kirk's death

    Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Christopher Dempsey,

    Good point. The best strategy for dealing with National might be to ignore Key altogether. To neither ask nor answer any questions to or from him, addressing them always to the people who are technically responsible for everything, the ministers. And the questions should probably not come from Goff either, since he lacks charisma, but rather from the shadow of each minister.

    I note from regular posts to Red Alert, that the Labour team seem to do follow this strategy, at least inside Parliament, according to their verbatim cut and pastes from Hansard. Mostly because John Key isn't present three quarters of the time so you can't question him. Hansard however shows that Nactional Ministers rarely rise above petty politicking and arrant disdain for anyone not belong to the National Party.

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

  • Sacha, in reply to Sacha,

    Auckland Transport tweeted totals last night

    Also numbers TO last night's game:

    22,300 used public transport to get to #EdenPark. 10,930 by special event bus and 11,370 by trains

    So more people took the train from the game than to it. Maybe some reassuring word of mouth at the stadium?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Sacha,

    Well, it's another party to get to. Party Central has been advertised. Plus, Ireland won man.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    Well, it's another party to get to. Party Central has been advertised. Plus, Ireland won man.

    Indeed. And Irishmen who happily walked the fan trail to the park might be a little to thirsty to walk back.

    It's fascinating that Veolia carried basically the same numbers this week as last week, with none of the same problems. Last Friday was ... special.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Special yes. I've been hanging close to the Cavalier lately and it is chokka. I believe Friday past was special in a lot of places, I can now attest from a few places. I am seeing friends moving about the North Island freely. Hell, my Dad was cruising to Auckland back from Wellington this week. And, I'm still drinking ish.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Last Friday was ... special.

    I'm having flashbacks of that scary mugshot from the Blend..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I went for a long rambly bike ride yesterday, to the city and taking the "low road" home - around Westhaven. There were lots of little bars, cafes and restaurants that have been around for a while, but seldom noticed, all doing business. I spoke to the guy organizing the boat club and ramp at Westhaven, which was full of caravans, and he said that the caravans were funding substantial improvements to the facilities. According to him, the break-even for the improvements there was $80,000 and they were already up to $170,000. The proprietors of the local eateries reported roaring trade since the tournament began.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to BenWilson,

    Now, that’s cool Ben.
    And I forgot , my Dad came back by train!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Islander, in reply to BenWilson,

    That is a good-news positive Ben: while things were also looking positive in Otago for the weekend, there is no sign of increased patronage on the Coast.

    And that 'bait exhibition in the Hokitika museum is actually a really good one (not much real 'bait around though...)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • izogi, in reply to BenWilson,

    Melbourne's [...] train system is well developed, and serves that area with 2 stops, one of which is Richmond Station, with ten platforms, designed as a major commuter hub/exchange. [...] To serve the sporting precinct is almost an afterthought to what it does every working day.

    (I know I'm late, but) That's true. Melbourne has all sorts of recent public transport issues, especially with trains, but they still do a great job getting people into the sporting precinct. Richmond station only has a tiny obscured entrance to the outside world, but it's optimised for passengers to switch between trains very easily. And when there's an event on outside, as happens frequently, they'll open the floodgates onto the street at the western end of the platform. A small addition to the point about Richmond is that Melbourne also has a double-tracked line specifically for events at Flemington Racecourse and the Melbourne Showgrounds. It's barely used beyond a few days each year and otherwise for stashing trains during off-peak times, but when there's an event on they can have a 6 carriage train coming in and out every 4 minutes.

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Islander,

    while things were also looking positive in Otago for the weekend, there is no sign of increased patronage on the Coast.

    I'd be surprised if that happened before the end of the pool round, at which point 12 out of 20 teams are eliminated, whereupon visitors who considered a holiday in NZ coinciding with the World Cup might opt to trip around. Or go home...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to izogi,

    I think the big lesson from the Melbourne sporting precinct is to have a precinct. That spot is absolutely prime land, on the banks of the Yarra, walking distance from the city. It took forward thinking not to just cash in and sell it all off for apartments.

    I felt that we missed the big chance to build something like that when the waterfront stadium idea died. We won't get an excuse like the RWC for another 30 years.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Raymond A Francis,

    I was impressed with Len Brown on Q&A yesterday (not my default position) he seemed to take full credit for the so called "disaster" and was not prepared to enter into a slanging match with the Goverment. Now that might because he is looking at the long game but well done that man

    Then I read Tracy Watkins into-days paper and she claims the Government was promised officals on every train carriage and plenty of buses and as we know these were not delvered
    I feel Auckland should have a long hard way things are run and maybe ensure paid officals do what they are paid to do

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Raymond A Francis,

    Then I read Tracy Watkins into-days paper and she claims the Government was promised officals on every train carriage and plenty of buses and as we know these were not delivered

    I wouldn't regard Watkins as a reliable source, at all. She's simply repeating what a ministerial spin doctor has told her. She has written two stories so far in which she hasn't even been able to get the name of the Auckland Council right.

    I feel Auckland should have a long hard way things are run and maybe ensure paid officals do what they are paid to do

    As Sacha has explained, Auckland local government is a new structure, just months old, designed by central government and deficient in some respects. It's perhaps not only Auckland that should take a long, hard look.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    the waterfront stadium idea

    I liked Richard Simpson's suggestion of a Carlaw Park stadium rather than blocking prime waterfront with a looming ten-storey blob that contrary to artists' impressions would not have been semi-transparent.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Raymond A Francis,

    promised officals on every train carriage and plenty of buses and as we know these were not delvered

    Veolia's undertakings after the recent Bledisloe Cup dry-run are certainly part of the independent review commissioned by Auckland Transport. Those extra elements seemed to work well this weekend - and would have been implemented whether or not the government did anything different.

    maybe ensure paid officals do what they are paid to do

    The transport review will no doubt touch on that and Len Brown on yesterday's Q&A show was promising broader action after the tournament is out of the way.

    What he and Auckland's elected Councillors and Local Board members can actually do will be an interesting test of the new structure. And watch for election season chest-beating from Ministers too.

    Two streaming TVNZ clips:

    Interview with Brown (14 mins).

    Panel discussion (9 mins), including Michael Barnett who has had a pretty prominent role in preparations over the past years.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • DexterX, in reply to Sacha,

    Carlaw Park - I agree this is the best solution - whether it ever becomes an option is another thing.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Raymond A Francis,

    he seemed to take full credit for the so called "disaster" and was not prepared to enter into a slanging match with the Goverment

    Brown has behaved consistently and honourably since that first Friday night and earned my respect for it. In contrast, Key's first response was to pin it all on Veolia and he's said little since. McCully clammed up for a few days until he delivered his fait accompli. Hopefully people still pay attention to character in electing leaders.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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