Anyone else planning to emigrate before 2011?

[xwhatsit]

Hmm I happen to be a fan of Rugby Union, which seems to be rather contrary to the KB groupthink. However, it's a bloody stupid idea to build a new stadium. There is no way it will be done it time. Big building projects always seem to be delayed, even with the best management; and we're talking Auckland here (not the world's most competent bureaucracy), and add to that it's a waterfront site on reclaimed land (plenty of engineering problems there).

Also; I understand the need to build something shiny and pretty for all the World Cup patrons and TV coverage, but is there really a need for a new stadium? Eden Park could do with a spruce-up, and is really the proper home of Auckland Rugby. Add to that it could be done with substantially less amount of cash, and would be far more likely to be completed in time.

It seems a rather bizarre exercise in self-importance and (they are hoping) future posterity.

[geoffm]

Of all the options, they have picked the worst. There is not a show of getting it built in time - look at the overruns on the Vector Arena, or the Aotea Centre.
Our Perth office is involved in the new stadium being built over there, and I know what is involved in a project of this size. With the timeframe, it will be a cockup from start to finish, with massive cost overruns. To speed it up, they will be design ing as it is built, and that is an invitation to be ripped off and rework.
THey should expand North Harbour, or build temporary stands. The NZRFU should be told to pull their head in - if they want a new stadium, they can pay for it.
Geoff

[deathstar]

Bugger geoffm you beat me to the point .... has no body else riden past the Vector Arena for the past 18 months? ... don't appear to be getting anywhere, i would rather have some money back please and rugby can piss off to another country that cares now if they were going to spend 1.2 billion on the A1GP well go right ahead

[xwhatsit]

Deathstar, geoffm, you're quite right w.r.t. Vector Area and other large building projects. It will end up being like the Athens Olympics a couple of years back.

The problem is though deathstar, is that I'm sure we'd all be happy here on KB (me included, definitely) if they spent 1.2G$ on Taupo for the A1 (or even F1 !), the majority of people in NZ are more interested in Rugby than motorsport, for better or worse. So the RWC is a populist move, and unless we can convert more people to motorsport we'll just have to live with Rugby being put ahead of motorsport, as it's the more popular sport (and therefore gets more money).

...and rugby can piss off to another country that cares...

The problem with that statement is that you're unlikely to find a more rugby-partisan country anywhere in the world. In fact I dare say we neglect other sports or endeavours as a result -- motorsport being one of them (there is a huge history of motorsport in NZ but there rarely seems to be much support behind it). Although we don't go to the excesses of Australia in putting sport above all else, we rate Rugby probably a bit too highly for our own good.

But I doubt you will get very far in putting that case forward against the majority of New Zealanders.

[Swoop]

Isn't it nice to see the stadium being moved from reclaimed land (from the sea, not by the maoris) of the container terminal, to its new position which is at this moment, salt water.
The idea of building a stadium on a concrete platform between the two wharves...

The vector arena site was proposed, many years ago, as the site for a decent stadium. Alas this was overlooked for a much cheaper option...

The citizens of this country really do need to overthrow the incompetents that we have as politicians (of BOTH sides of the house). This fiasco has to be added to the list of inept decisions promoted/made.

[TLDV8]

I think there is an agenda behind the scenes,first up would be the desire to bulldoze the bed tax etc etc before the current tourist season coming up..Eden Park will be flattened and turned into apartments before you know it ( I think that is the hidden agenda behind Western Springs also) Mallard practically said !@#$ Eden Park.

After seeing the News last night,there was no doubt Cullen (< Bilbo Baggins) and Mallard are total !@#$wits and this thing was going to go ahead anyway given the answers came before the questions.
Why would anyone elect to start building when there was no prior costing as stated..A charge up job given the length of time to build.Any contract would have to have a massive percentage added to cover their own arses.
Fletchers will be rubbing their hands together for sure.
And for what, a one time use stadium..like there would be concerts there etc given the noise would travel as far as Devonport...Speedway the same.


There is already Eden Park,Mt Smart (which struggles to get 12000 to a game) and Albany (which could be made in to a full arena)
People get taken off hospital lists yet there is millions to spare in the kitty it seems... As has been said before,political parties are rarely voted in but get there by default.

Of course at this present time there are hardly any parties (Western World) in power that are popular...Same song,different location.

[Brett]

I have been memorising the Aussie national anthem for a while now, as well as some key phrases such as "woohoo, have a look at that sheila" and "The dingo's got me baby"...yep i feel i will fit right in.

[Harry33]

Canada's looking nicer by the day. @#$ng rugby.

Yip thats where I'm going early next year

[Harry33]

Stop your whinning; it'll bring NZ out of the dark ages and put youz fellaz on the map.

I bet Auckland Ports are rubbing there hands together with Glee.

If they want to bring NZ out of the dark ages they could atleast put a fuckin roof on it. ( Great for the cricket no more rain delays)

[Big Dave]

Looks pretty cool to me. A roof would be handy. Telstra Dome in Melbourne is fab.

[Coyote]

Speed is bad, the public cannot see speeding in a postive light, rugby is good, we all like rugby... its so entertaining... much more entertaining than motorsport

After all, people beating each other senseless and sticking fingers up each others arses with beer advertisements everywhere is far healthier than speed.


When will people in NZ realise in the great scheme of things, Rugby means nothing.

Nothing.

N.O.T.H.I.N.G.

Zip. Zero. Nada.

The world couldn't care less about a bunch of guys hugging each and playing grab ass. Football (or soccer to you merkins) is the sport of choice for most of the world. And before you rugby goons start ranting about football players being 'pussies', start wearing metal sprigs. Or are you too 'pussy'?


And little does everyone know but Holdens and Fords are the same.

[Motig]

Personally I think Japan should have got it.

[Colapop]

I agree with that. Japan should have got the cup. As much as I am looking forward to it being played in NZ, I think as far as growing the game goes it should have gone to Japan.

What is wrong with the NZRU buying Carlaw park? Or the gubbermint building a multi-use stadium at that park? There's no reason League and Union can't use the same facilities. It's central to the city, has the public trasport hub and is an existing space.

[The Pastor]

Ok time for another renegade master mastermind plan.


Build the stadium ontop of rangitoto. Build a racetrack for the v8's around the base. Turn rangitoto into party island. It would be awesome. We'd have to get rid of the all those nasty trees on there so i'd sugest dousing the island with petrol, then setting it on fire and sitting on takapuna beach and watch and have a bbq.

SORTED!

[Finn]

So sad, NZ is a kick ass country but its run a pricks =/

You're right, it's run by pricks but what do we kick arse in? I can't think of anything apart from welfare.

Oh yeah, the stadium. Ummmm, it looks a lot better than a fucken container terminal you morons. This shithole needs all the promotion it can get especially now that the Lord of the Ringpiece is forgotten. We need tourists! The maoris need feeding and they're a hungry bunch.