Public Address | Cafe | Speaker: Party Central, structures and silos

Sacha

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:36:50 +1300

Joel Cayford notes a prime reason for the opening night chaos.

Planning is everything when it comes to managing crowds at events.

200,000 people plus attend Christmas events and others of similar size on the Domain. They come from far and wide. But they come. Those events last a good…

Sacha

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:35:49 +1300

The review report commissioned by Auckland Transport seems to have been a bit of a wet bus ticket. Transport bloggers Joshua Arbury and AKT discuss it.

However the politics have paid off handsomely for the government, with 75% of respondents in a recent poll blaming the Council, not the government…

Kyle Matthews

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 14:25:25 +1200

ETA: OK, temper that to "no lasting legacy for sports". It seems like it has stimulated a lot of local developments at least, which is pretty cool.

I think there will always be argument over the money, but I'm building a strong impression that the new Dunedin stadium has kicked…

BenWilson

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 11:59:02 +1200

So the opposite is "national class", the product you get if you're locked in to the country in some way. And I guess the lamest would be "house class", which probably describes Heineken at Queen's Wharf.

Sacha

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 10:50:07 +1200

"top bloke"

That's probably a 4 star hotel. Which some might say is a better fit for Auckland, so long as we accept the accompanying constraints as well..

Sacha

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 10:45:48 +1200

the word "world" implies something really big

I think it's meant to be that the people and organisations they're trying to attract can choose anywhere else in the world to be instead. Which is big, yes, and you could certainly argue is bigger than the true scope that applies.

Steve Barnes

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 10:28:16 +1200

What’s a “world class city” anyway? Moscow? Beijing? Mexico City? Lagos?

To me it is like the term 5 Star (as applied to hotels), meaning a standard expected by those not willing to spend any time with the "Locals" you could be anywhere in the World. It has the same…

BenWilson

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 09:58:28 +1200

Feel free to offer another take on it.

No, that's fine, I'm happy to go with your interpretation. It's not a term I've inquired deeply into the meaning of, but the word "world" implies something really big. So it's yet another one of those phrases that evokes something big, but…

DexterX

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 07:33:18 +1200

The emphasis of "world class city/country" needs to be replaced with something else.

I agree with Rich Observationz and would add to the list a better national health, a place where measles, meningococcal disease, and hepatitis were not as prevalent as they are now becoming.

When politicians, local (Leny the…

Sacha

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 01:37:24 +1200

Feel free to offer another take on it.

BenWilson

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 00:45:20 +1200

To me, 'world-class' means able to attract and keep talented people and ventures against competition from many other places to live, work, play, commune and prosper.

Wow, it's a much lower bar than I ever imagined.

Sacha

Wed, 21 Sept 2011 14:25:11 +1200

I don't think Andy or the Plan are just talking about money. To me, 'world-class' means able to attract and keep talented people and ventures against competition from many other places to live, work, play, commune and prosper.

That relies on our natural environment, friendly communities, cultural richness (refer Richard…

Rich of Observationz

Wed, 21 Sept 2011 11:59:51 +1200

What's a "world class city" anyway? Moscow? Beijing? Mexico City? Lagos?

I live in Wellington. It's a great capital village, and I can't think of anyplace I'd rather live. Sure, there's not the __ "..fast pace and fast trains and much bigger clubs, ... money and kudos and much stronger…

Sacha

Wed, 21 Sept 2011 11:29:20 +1200

Expat digital democracy and innovation expert Andy Williamson posts his initial assessment of the Auckland Plan.

Reading the Auckland Plan I’m left with the distinct feeling that Auckland does not want to be a world-class city. Or perhaps more to the point, it doesn’t really believe that it can be.…

Sacha

Tue, 20 Sept 2011 14:23:59 +1200

Auckland Transport has offered numbers using public transport from the stadium after the opening night.

People catching trains and special event buses away from All Blacks v Tonga was 24,500

Sacha

Tue, 20 Sept 2011 14:08:12 +1200

The supercity changes included wider arranagements linking central government and local actions, notably a Social Policy Forum co-chaired by Paula Bennett.

There has been close cooperation in areas like transport, and in economic development with agencies like MED as exemplified in the RWC effort.

The government's Auckland Policy Office has…

Rich of Observationz

Tue, 20 Sept 2011 13:55:01 +1200

I see the council talking about education and economic development – things they have very little control over.

If they feel the frameworks should be changed so that these things are devolved they should say so = otherwise they're just producing a collection of platitudes.

Sacha

Tue, 20 Sept 2011 13:36:12 +1200

Auckland Council releases its major Draft Auckland Plan for consultation. Five weeks to comment.

The draft Auckland Plan is the strategy to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city by 2040. It will also plan for an additional 1 million people and the 400,000 dwellings we will need to accommodate…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 14:53:35 +1200

Bomber Bradbury discusses the issue with Scoop's Selwyn Manning (who really needs to speak up) and a surprisingly well-behaved Matthew Hooten – first half of clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI3fjLygnf8

DexterX

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 14:49:47 +1200

To everybody, every peoples everywhere,

On behalf of most beloved First Citizen John key the first it is humble honour to extend to rate payer heart felt thanks and big grinning for footing the bill for all to much too many buses, trains and yellow vest people that no one…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 12:02:54 +1200

Yup, it should actually be at the port itself. Then there would be no reason not to take the motorway, which is where all trucks should go.

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:53:36 +1200

I've never understood why Symonds St didn't get weight and height limits after the the link road was built

Putting the wellbeing of truckies over tertiary students says a lot about the priorities of successive governments.

Rich of Observationz

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:49:31 +1200

I've never seen the point of that check. Surely any trucky that knew they were overweight or overhours would go the other way. Or do they get a docket or something to go there when they leave the port?

Also, I've never understood why Symonds St didn't get weight and…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:37:54 +1200

Making Quay St pedestrian/public transport only makes a lot of sense. Trucks shouldn't be going through there, when the Grafton on-ramp was built to serve the port. I wonder how many truckies are going that way to avoid the weighbridge/logbook check at the bottom of Parnell Rise.

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:24:10 +1200

the boulevard proposal

It was by the developers of the adjoining Britomart precinct. Joel Cayford discusses briefly, with pictures.

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:18:52 +1200

But hey, we're arguing over an imaginary stadium that will never be built. :)

Yes, it's water under the pier now. And yes, other things could be done there, and hopefully one day will be. The iterative improvements to the waterfront generally should eventually make it imperative that it becomes…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:16:15 +1200

Agreed

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:14:28 +1200

One day, there'll be enough money to put the wharves under a huge concrete roof after the fashion of U-boat pens. Or move the docks to the other side of Waiheke, linked by a big bridge.

Ho ho. Or they could put the port somewhere sensible, and actually make money…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 11:13:13 +1200

You can't see anything

At least the prospect of redeveloping those finger wharfs including Queens remains open – and the light is not being blocked by a ten-storey hulk. As an example, did you see the inside-the-red-fence public boulevard proposal some months back?

But hey, we're arguing over an imaginary…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:55:42 +1200

Moving the whole commercial port to somewhere near Howick/Whitford with dedicated road and rail freight links to the main trunk was mooted at some stage.

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:54:27 +1200

Views of anyone at ground level would have been permanently blocked.

Have you walked along that area admiring the view recently? I have. You can't see anything.

ETA: Mind you, I will admit to being one of those nuts that does like the view of a port, or any other…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:54:00 +1200

You think it would really be a good idea to have spent another billion dollars of public cash?

Yup. I really do.

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:53:21 +1200

Views of anyone at ground level would have been permanently blocked. The port company was never going to let go of the container terminal. And there was no way major construction work to strengthen the finger wharves was possible before the tournament. But politics played a big part, for sure…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:46:34 +1200

and being able to walk around the edge of something doesn't make up for not being able to see past it or use it without paying.

Yes, views of existing lucky people were preserved. They're not free, but at least they're the status quo, so that's all good.

Trouble was…

Rich of Observationz

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:32:11 +1200

You think it would really be a good idea to have spent another billion dollars of public cash? I guess the only benefit would be to have further stuffed things up for the Nats.

(the other downside of a big stadium is the way it looks when Auckland are playing…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:20:53 +1200

replace the container ships, stacks of containers, and mobile unloading cranes

Trouble was it would have been as well as those rather than instead of them. And being able to walk around the edge of something doesn't make up for not being able to see past it or use it…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 10:02:37 +1200

It was a possibility, although I'm not bitter on the idea of a huge work of public architecture that would have brought major business to the downtown area, to replace the container ships, stacks of containers, and mobile unloading cranes. It could have had an outer boardwalk built in, opening…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 09:31:13 +1200

Another dropped ball...
McCully clammed up for a few days until he delivered his fait accompli. Hopefully people still pay attention to character in electing leaders.
A reminder of McCully's ineffectuality on the world stage – hark back to this editorial from 2010 trumpeting his signing of the Wellington Declaration…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 09:13:20 +1200

The time for such options has been and gone some years ago, which is why I didn't address it. Might have made sense in many ways.

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 09:12:13 +1200

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…

DexterX

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 09:09:48 +1200

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

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 09:03:15 +1200

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…

Sacha

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 08:56:02 +1200

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.

Russell Brown

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 08:40:51 +1200

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…

Raymond A Francis

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 08:11:11 +1200

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…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 08:01:56 +1200

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…

BenWilson

Mon, 19 Sept 2011 07:18:37 +1200

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…

izogi

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 20:12:46 +1200

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,…

Islander

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 20:04:43 +1200

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...)

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 19:52:41 +1200

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

BenWilson

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 19:45:46 +1200

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…

Sacha

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 18:43:23 +1200

Last Friday was ... special.

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

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 18:42:10 +1200

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…

Russell Brown

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 18:29:40 +1200

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…

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 18:18:33 +1200

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

Sacha

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 17:42:44 +1200

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?

Christopher Dempsey

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 14:33:18 +1200

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,…

Leopold

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 12:19:17 +1200

"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…

Sacha

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 11:15:04 +1200

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…

Sofie Bribiesca

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 11:12:27 +1200

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.:)

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 10:55:03 +1200

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...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oMRPd0HMUQ&feature=related

Joe Wylie

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 10:31:49 +1200

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?

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 09:04:15 +1200

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.

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 08:49:37 +1200

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

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 18 Sept 2011 08:29:38 +1200

Cosy fans tooting...
We've seen what happens when media and politicos can get a bit too intimate.
well at least Jane Clifton is now listed as Murray McCully's "former partner" on Facebook and Wikipedia – so that'll free her up to write truth to power, right?

Kumara Republic

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 21:23:31 +1200

The current crowd aren't shy about withdrawing their patronage from media organisations that they don't see as useful to them.

As Jim Salinger found out the hard way. And it's not a new issue – Muldoon infamously banned Tom Scott from the Gallery, but that didn't stop Scott unleashing both…

Russell Brown

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 17:42:00 +1200

So that makes her the John Armstrong of Fairfax, right? In both cases, how many scotch fillets and bottles of cab-sav are involved, if any?

Nah. Even given John's recent love affair with the matchless political skills of the Prime Minister, he's hugely experienced and a much better writer and…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 16:13:43 +1200

In case it comes up, here's a little about the Auckland region's local RWC coordination group, which as noted works operationally with the government's various RWC efforts coordinated through the Ministry of Economic Development.

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 16:02:15 +1200

I guess someone has to make Farrar seem lucid. :)

Kumara Republic

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 16:01:29 +1200

She’s supposed to be a professional journalist – a political journalist – and she can’t even get the name of the Auckland Council right. The contrast with Sacha’s thoughtful, informed analysis could hardly be more pronounced.

So that makes her the John Armstrong of Fairfax, right? In both cases, how…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 16:00:46 +1200

who the 'Rugby World Cup organisers' are

Unless perhaps he's talking about the joint venture company Rugby World Cup 2011 Ltd. I hope someone has drawn a picture of all the entities involved.

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:54:49 +1200

National Party pollster and communication conduit David Farrar comes down more on the side of local govt being responsible, but seems confused whether willfully or otherwise about who the 'Rugby World Cup organisers' are – a mixture of central and local govt agencies.

He specifically wonders why Auckland Council's [[http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/HaveYourSay/Pages/PeoplesPanel.aspx|online surveying…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:45:08 +1200

Just found Goff's parliamentary speech about this the other day, focusing on the govt's responsibility but letting the local agencies off the hook.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQR-pq5GGi8&feature=player_embedded

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:37:50 +1200

Thanks. There's so much more to say about how this reflects the tension between local and central government that has so long affected Auckland's development. Canterbury folk may also have some observations on that score, what with ECan and CERA.

recordari

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:16:55 +1200

The contrast with Sacha's thoughtful, informed analysis could hardly be more pronounced.

I concur. Well done Sacha. I feel informed, instead of talked down to, past, or at while shaking a pointy finger.

Russell Brown

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:07:40 +1200

You know, I try not in indulge in MSM-bashing, but in the case of Tracey Watkins' pathetic, spoon-fed regurgitation of ministerial spin in the Dom Post it's really hard to stay civil.

She's supposed to be a professional journalist — a political journalist — and she can't even get the…

Paul Williams

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 15:01:14 +1200

Dave, although I agree that Key is a crap PM, I actually think he picks the mood well for the majority of people. I was disappointed that he used no Te Reo in his speech, it was a glaring omission, however I thought the speech was otherwise fine. He seems…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 14:29:54 +1200

Thorndon bubble

Our equivalent of Washington's "beltway" – the hermetic world of those who spend too much time near the corridors o power.

Dave Patrick

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 14:25:53 +1200

The point of my earlier post was not a focus on Key's leadership but on his stupidity, immaturity and ability to deliver not much.

I cringed too when he came out with that big dopey "look at me, I'm important" grin on his face at the All Black – Japan…

BenWilson

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 14:23:52 +1200

You'd think. Interesting when you read John Armstrong fawningly second-guessing McCully's reactions and motivations from within the Thorndon bubble.

I don't know what the Thorndon bubble is. I'm happy to just agree or disagree with Armstrong on what he writes without caring to psychoanalyze him. I've often agreed. At the…

DexterX

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 13:19:43 +1200

It suits the rhetoric of the right to focus on one person as a 'leader'. I'm never sure why people from the left – and especially the organised political opposition – want to buy into that and perpetuate the myth of Key by focusing attention on him.

A focus on…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:58:15 +1200

You'd think. Interesting when you read John Armstrong fawningly second-guessing McCully's reactions and motivations from within the Thorndon bubble.

He overstates the Minister's powers and understates his reponsibilities, but overall Armstrong's looking frantically for the single person to pin this on rather than being able to conceive of shared responsibility.

Such…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:38:35 +1200

Another part of the picture about why the waterfront was chosen as a focus: a detailed article about the huge Wynyard Quarter waterfront development and its proposed place in the city and nation's economic future. The final precinct is the same size as the existing CBD around Queen St. Shame it…

BenWilson

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:24:04 +1200

I'm never sure why people from the left – and especially the organised political opposition – want to buy into that and perpetuate the myth of Key by focusing attention on him.

Good point. The best strategy for dealing with National might be to ignore Key altogether. To neither ask…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:11:24 +1200

I normally wouldn't rely on Trotter's opinion but you'll note it broadly matches Arbury's account – and the maps.

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:09:52 +1200

A Herald story links a personal story of a mother and daughter using the rail network into Britomart with its design flaw in pretty basic terms.

One week on, it's still difficult to match the details of people's experiences with the official timeline provided by train operator Veolia. For instance there's…

3410

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 12:07:57 +1200

Chris Trotter describes the longer historic background since the 1940s about why Auckland has built motorways rather than rail.

And how do you rate this bit for honesty of interpretation?

Had the Labour Party won just 50,000 more votes in the 1949 general election, that blueprint would have become reality,…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 11:57:11 +1200

Chris Trotter describes the longer historic background since the 1940s about why Auckland has built motorways rather than rail.

The debacle that was Auckland's public transport system last Friday night was more than 60 years in the making. That's how long it's been since a group of brilliant urban planners,…

Sacha

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 11:55:30 +1200

Ian Dalziel

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 11:34:48 +1200

Peter Principle personified...
What we are experiencing is the pain of Key growing up in public.
Just so long as he is meeting all the National Standards marks...
...what could possibly go wrong?

Kumara Republic

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 11:26:01 +1200

Key will look at his terms as Prime Minster as a growth experience – he has demonstrated to me he lacks the depth of life experience relevant to be PM. He does not grasp what it is like to be someone raising a family on the minimum wage, the grieving…

nzlemming

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 10:42:35 +1200

What we are experiencing is the pain of Key growing up in public

I fear you over-estimate his capacity, but otherwise +1 from me.

Stephen Judd

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 09:56:41 +1200

AMEN.

DexterX

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 09:12:28 +1200

The failure of the RWC Party Central Opening Party is well covered in recent posts – re the planning, resources and venue.

The problem essentially starts with Key inviting all of Auckland, the rest of NZ and the world to the party of the century and then failing to see…

BenWilson

Sat, 17 Sept 2011 08:49:18 +1200

Melbourne's sporting precinct is awesome, but it's worth acknowledging that it's in a city with 4 times the population of Auckland. The 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. Many…

Steve Withers

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 19:22:50 +1200

There is little that is positive or good in "I told you so"....but sometimes it does need to be highlighted that there are people around who said months ago that 30 years of under-investment in Auckland's public transport would likely be rewarded with system failure during the Rugby World Cup.…

Mike

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 16:38:27 +1200

Len Brown v Murray McCully......it really is a classic example of the dooshbag vs turd sandwich scenario. Although Murray could definitely be described now as both a turd sandwich and a dooshbag, among other things.

The funniest thing I've seen in a while was at 330pm last Friday at the…

Sacha

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 16:25:34 +1200

I'd encourage not personalising this. There were experienced people in key roles here who had successfully delivered the Commonwealth and Olympic tournaments in Australia.

Glenn Pearce

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 16:20:26 +1200

Melbourne is the textbook example of doing that right. It's not so much about systems on the day as there being infrastructure to serve big crowds.

Well we had someone from Melbourne running the show but that didn't seem to help

http://www.connexion.co.nz/acl_business_conference_2011/key_note_speakers/rachael_dacy

chris

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 16:14:34 +1200

Melbourne is the textbook example of doing that right

A first port of call? Or perhaps getting the best advice is seen as secondary to ensuring that advice comes from within the borders. Christopher Dempsey on Getting contestable advice (from the other thread):

Short answer – we can’t. Hard to…

Rich of Observationz

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 15:49:45 +1200

Well, Helensville is centred on a town 90 minutes drive from Auckland, so is only partially an Auckland electorate. Both seats are National fiefdoms in almost any circumstance – any human candidate could win, in fact any earthly creature would stand a reasonable chance. (I am aware of Dr Brash's…

Graham Dunster

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 15:41:44 +1200

Something that seldom seems to be noted is that McCully and Key are both Auckland MPs and yet seem to have no loyalty to their electorates, let alone to the city as a whole. Baffles me.

Russell Brown

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 15:17:13 +1200

I am in Melbourne at the moment and watched the Storm play the the Knights at the new AAMI Stadium last sunday. There are 5 stadiums all directly next to each other (MCG, Olympic Park, Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Stadium and the Hisense Arena), serviced by the same train and…

Yule Guttenbeil

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 14:49:15 +1200

This situation is really bizarre, and its over-complexity is truly absurd. Organizing a large event is not rocket science, and the party central/transportation failures are a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.

I am in Melbourne at the moment and watched the Storm play the the Knights at…

Sacha

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:31:56 +1200

I agree with Herald columnist Brian Rudman about the core planning failure, which he points out was peer reviewed and had the input of government agencies.

Over two or more years of planning, no one asked the obvious: if we invite everyone in Auckland and the wider world to join us…

Rich of Observationz

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:27:44 +1200

If efficiency were the only criteria, NZ doesn't need local government. We have less population than many cities, and could run all services and regulation on an NZ-wide basis.

The reason for local government is to provide accountability. Different communities have different wants and needs. For real democracy, communities (which…

RiverHowe

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:23:01 +1200

If all goes well from now on it will all be because of McCully's stepping in.
If it goes wrong again it will be the fault of the Mayor, or a CCO – not McCully.
Bet ya!

Paul Williams

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:06:44 +1200

However, putting it right gives a chance to work closer together and to forge a more united purpose.

Which is why Len Brown's approach to the situation is infinitely superior to McCully's. McCully appeared interested only in the political optics, not on working with all the interested parties to solve…

Sacha

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:06:35 +1200

what chance do we have of coordination success when each CCO has their own agenda, and apparently only "big picture" direction from the actual council?

That and other thorny questions were considered by the Auckland Royal Commission and while the Auckland Transition Agency was implementing the current government's response.

The…

Sacha

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 13:01:20 +1200

Minister McCully's official statement about the new expanded arrangements also mentions working with the Waterfront CCO.

3410

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 12:55:51 +1200

There are obvious coordination failures

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but what chance do we have of coordination success when each CCO has their own agenda, and apparently only "big picture" direction from the actual council?

Tim Michie

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 12:44:02 +1200

I hope this is the crisis that moves Auckland away from indealogical to practical solutions before something worse occurs.

Thanks Sacha.

Andre

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 12:41:20 +1200

I imagine we'll find out who is at fault sometime after the election. I imagine they'll blame council employees rather than government ministers when the dust settles though. What a botch-up. Our biggest ever, most important event apparently. Will we face the same scrimping attitudes and lack of accountability when…

3410

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 12:32:30 +1200

[Just to kick-start the System thread...]

Public Address

Fri, 16 Sept 2011 12:32:30 +1200

Discussion from blog post.