Posts by Paul Williams
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Christchurch will benefit enough from the visitors going to other games and enjoying NZ's attractions, Christchurch has much to commend it, but the final must be held in a city that compares internationally and I don't think Christchurch does; it might as well be Adelaide.
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I keen to hear a bit more about the new waterfront location, particularly in terms of transport and nearby bars/cafes, but I am pleased something ambitious has been agreed over a compromise. Eden Park is a good venue but not a great one and I can't see how the middle of a leafy suburb could ever sustain a really great stadium in the way the heart of the city could.
Jade is not a meaningful option.
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I freak'n love Kapo O Pango. I was a little disappointed they didn't do it in the second test against the French.
It was also great to see the French displaying such respect for the Haka; contrasts nicely with the confusion over on this side of the Tasman - the Aussie's have made such a fuss over such a long period of time they've only intensified the impact.
John Eales tells a great story about then coach McQueen encouraging the players to turn the backs on the All Blacks, they did and were thrashed. Eales now says it was one of the biggest mistakes in his career - another reason to like the bloke (although I've never forgiven him for the penalty at the Cake Tin)
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Hell, with his voting record he'll at least appeal to the Christians. I suppose he can also claim to be a clear alternative to Clark.
I'm surprised by his votes, but not entirely, and regardless of what he actually believes, his pattern of voting makes him a classic Nat - but is this what the electorate want? His anonimity has enabled him to be all things to all disaffected people, I wonder how appealing he'll be in 6 or 12 months; cute on TV don't make you a leader.
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Craig, peaceable and fair elections they might have been, it was the positions advocated and the language used that I referred to. Perhaps my perspective is too heavily influenced by the blogs I read, to make up for being offshore, however NZ politics seems to have become unecessarily vitriolic and personal of late.
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I agree with the desire to see a more moderate and credible opposition.
The recent polarisation of NZ politics is against the trend of the last 15 years - both parties need to represent their members and interests however it all appeared to be getting out of hand.
Brash will cop more than his fair share of blame for this however, a change of leadership gives National, at least, the opportunity to recalibrate.
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Brash's leadership was over a while ago; doubts about Key's political skills must surely be confirmed by his inability to bring the matter to a head.
The next two parliamentary weeks will be fascinating - any honeymoon Key might have hoped for has been eroded by his inaction (Craig's point is well made) - he's going to struggle.
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NZ politics may soon rival Australian, or at least NSW, politics for its tawdry little secrets. NSW has had two high profile politicians exit amid scandalous allegations, and I suspect Brash will go soon enough.
His legacy will not be the job he did restoring the National Party to a credible presence in parliament, it will be suggestions that he lied about ANZUS, lied about the Exclusive Brethern and philandered his way through the lobbies meanwhile chiding Helen for not embracing some Elizabethan notion of marriage.
I'll not miss him.
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Melbourne's sport precinct is possibly the best in Australia because it is both accessible by public transport and close to the city.
Olympic Park in Sydney on the other hand struggles to make ends meet outside of major sporting and cultural events. It's too damn far away for one event - public transport is good when it's a sell out event but when it's a smaller event, Sydney Tennis Open for instance, it's actually not so great (trains don't go direct).
In Melbourne, it is fantastic to be able to walk from Telstra Superdome along the Yarra to the Rod Laver and MCG - it's a hike, maybe 45 mins walk but there's options along the way (which ever way you walk) if you want to stop and imbibe etc. Telstra Superdome also has the advantages of being immediately surrounded by bars, cafes etc that cater to the before and after crowd.
I love the idea of the waterfront stadium, because it could be possible to replicate (improve even) on the Melbourne centre but I wonder if Carlaw Park isn't a better option if Eden Park is so out of favour (as much as I like Eden Park, I can't see how anything like an entertainment precinct could ever be developed in such a prime residential area).
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Excellent companion to PA.