Another waste of tax payer money

**SMOKEU** · 6th April 2011, 18:21

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...c-waka-slammed

I thought the government was broke, so they decided to raise taxes for everyone, yet they're forking out $2 million for a waka to promote Maori culture. They could have just told people to watch "Police 10 7" or a documentary called "Once were warriors" instead.

**scissorhands** · 6th April 2011, 18:44

What about the rugby tent, or the Town Hall and Aotea, I pay for all that too, and it probably costs more than Maori.

All NZ tax payer assets sold cheap to mates, whos really ripping off who here?

**Mom** · 6th April 2011, 18:54

While the idea may have had merit once, in some deluded persons eye, it surprises me that they have got so close to the RWC without divulging these plans.

NZ is not in a position at the moment to be forking out that kind of money for a plastic tiki or what have you. FFS! we have a whole city to rebuild, complete with a population in Chrsitchurch that have lost jobs, and will need support for a long time to come.

Lets get serious people.

And yes I know it is a waka not a tiki. Once upon a time there was as huge Maori outcry regarding plastic tiki being produced and sold, how times have changed!

**The Everlasting** · 6th April 2011, 21:06

Definitely should not be spending that money!!

I was watching Campbell live today,and I was shocked that the EQC are so useless in dealing with claims,a few people had not even been seen since the first earthquake!! and then there was the assessement that took 34 seconds!! did not even enter the house.

**SMOKEU** · 6th April 2011, 21:56

Originally Posted by The Everlasting

Definitely should not be spending that money!!

I was watching Campbell live today,and I was shocked that the EQC are so useless in dealing with claims,a few people had not even been seen since the first earthquake!! and then there was the assessement that took 34 seconds!! did not even enter the house.

Most of my work is through EQC and to be honest, I can't blame them for the delays. They are so overwhelmed by all the damage, and they just don't have the staff to process things as quickly as what we would all like.

**BMWST?** · 6th April 2011, 22:05

Originally Posted by The Everlasting

Definitely should not be spending that money!!

I was watching Campbell live today,and I was shocked that the EQC are so useless in dealing with claims,a few people had not even been seen since the first earthquake!! and then there was the assessement that took 34 seconds!! did not even enter the house.

mate...builders cant even get quotes right to alter older existing houses because you cant know whats inside the walls etc...The only way to get serious assesments are with experienced builders/engineers,but you would only get a few houses done per day...plus you got two events and older houses,eqc deliberately does not allow for reinstating any existing defects/flaws.How do you do that on a house that is 50 to 80 years old?

**SMOKEU** · 6th April 2011, 22:17

Originally Posted by BMWST?

mate...builders cant even get quotes right to alter older existing houses because you cant know whats inside the walls etc...The only way to get serious assesments are with experienced builders/engineers,but you would only get a few houses done per day...plus you got two events and older houses,eqc deliberately does not allow for reinstating any existing defects/flaws.How do you do that on a house that is 50 to 80 years old?

We don't even have time to do any permanent fixes. All I do is emergency repairs to make houses safe, secure and weatherproof. Eg - ripping down unstable chimneys and walls, putting plywood over damaged brick cladding etc.

The "real" work is going to take years to do.

**oldrider** · 6th April 2011, 22:20

Maybe a lot of the EQC delays were caused by the fact that the city just kept on shaking all the time!

It sounds like it is settling down again now.

As for the plastic Waka, there is no doubt that the "Maori experience" will be right up front with most of the visitors here for the RWC.

I don't really have a problem with it. (maybe it looks a bit cheap and tatty though)

**AllanB** · 6th April 2011, 22:37

Drop in the bucket from the $320,000,000 being paid for the stupid games!

My problems with it are:
1.
It looks a bit shit, I am embarrassed by it in it's plastic form - I'd rather they spent 5 million and made a decent looking Waka out of timber that was a permanent building for Auckland's Tourist industry - that would have long term advantages for the city.
2.
WTF it is announced now and not even started yet! Maybe it just gets blown up like a cheap toy?
3.
Ah - why is the tribe getting to keep it after the cup if they are only putting in 100k or so?

Surely the Govt would be better off sending it down to Christchurch after the cup and fill it up with families! Actually if it is a wet winter we will need it earlier if it floats.