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July 4, 2007 11:40am by David Farrar

Damn

One effing second. Damn. Need more be said.

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llew

I’ll say it – $10m.
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July 4, 2007 12:54pm
Ben Wilson

How about “Cool, now we can focus on the real Cup”?
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July 4, 2007 1:05pm
mo more

Don’t worry Ben, Trevor Mallard will be there too, to jinx the AB’s as well.
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July 4, 2007 1:18pm
DavidW

Take a reef in your main David, I hear there is a cyclone building in your neighbourhood. Racing might be cancelled unless it is schooners in the house bar
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July 4, 2007 1:25pm
tim barclay

The margins are small the stakes are very high BUT we are not putting another $34m in this. This sort of money could do real things for sport in general. If Mallard wants to put up another $34m then National should say they will divert the money into other sport teams. They have had their lot. By the way the $10, seems to be nothing more than to pay very expensive retainers to some very well healed sportsmen. [no women I can see].
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July 4, 2007 1:41pm
Joker

If team NZ had won we would not of heard the end of it from Clark. How the Govenment had been instrumental in bringing one of the worlds premier sporting events back to NZ, money well spent blah blah blah.

The fact that we didnt win means the government has gambled $34 mil straight down the shitter. I for one want some answers.
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July 4, 2007 1:58pm
Porcupine

It hurts having to pay them so much but thems the breaks when you want skills. There is payback in advertising NZ products, tourism and our yatching industry that may be worth the investment. Personally I’d rather spend the money on bikini clad women saying

We’ve raised the southern Alps,
We’ve dusted them with snow,
We’ve locked up the rapists,

So where the bloody hell are you?

but each to his/her own.
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July 4, 2007 2:04pm
Joker

So the $34 mil was about promoting NZ boat exports ($525 mil per annum). By applying the same logic and percentage by export the NZ timber sports team will be looking forward to their $256,000,000 cheque (6.4% of forestry exports at $4 bil)
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July 4, 2007 2:30pm
Ben Wilson

Mo more, the real jinx is NZ itself. What other self respecting country would refuse to build a decent stadium for the World Cup of their own most popular sport, an event that will be watched by over a billion people, but will happily fork out for a yacht race that no-one watches and that we can’t win anyway?

Well done Alinghi, btw. The better boat, crew and skipper kicked arse over the boring week that it took. Credit where it is due.
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July 4, 2007 2:48pm
Porcupine

Point taken, but how does it compare to government wastage?

1 days wastage? 0.1% of wastage?
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July 4, 2007 2:51pm
mo more

Bloody hell Ben – you’re not going to try and re-argue the case for Twevor’s “wet dream” waterfront stadium again are you?!

We can grizzle about $34 million going down the gurgler, but the $1 billion+ cock-up that was he was hell-bent on would have made the America’s Cup sailors’ beneficiary payment look like chickenfeed.
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July 4, 2007 3:13pm
llew

“[no women I can see].”

I’ll hazard more than a few will get their share charging by the hour late of an evening…
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July 4, 2007 3:15pm
Porcupine

How much of the $34m or $10m is siphoned off to “overheads” or “admin” – thats probably how they balance the EEO books because they sure dont look like part of the “EEO employers network” on the face of it. 🙂
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July 4, 2007 3:27pm
biopic

“no women I can see”

Helen Clark was on board one day, but…
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July 4, 2007 3:41pm
Simo

How about the NZ taxpayer who has put millions into this and previous campaigns.

A select 30-40 yachties have benefited beyond their wildest dreams, having $34 million put into say soccer or tennis in NZ would put us on the world map, would benefit thousands, and really lift NZ’s profile everywhere in the world, rather than at muddy container port on the Mediterrean.

The Aussies chucked the cup, not because they are shit sailors, but because they have been there, done that, moved on

Get over it NZ, the cups been and gone, its not coming back anytime soon, if your that keen, go and join a syndicate that is challenging and make it a personal dream not a national one.
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July 4, 2007 3:58pm
Simo

How about the NZ taxpayer who has put millions into this and previous campaigns.

A select 30-40 yachties have benefited beyond their wildest dreams, having $34 million put into say soccer or tennis in NZ would put us on the world map, would benefit thousands, and really lift NZ’s profile everywhere in the world, rather than at a muddy container port on the Mediterrean.

The Aussies chucked the cup, not because they are shit sailors, but because they have been there, done that, moved on

Get over it NZ, the cups been and gone, its not coming back anytime soon, if your that keen, go and join a syndicate that is challenging and make it a personal dream not a national one.
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July 4, 2007 4:00pm
Dan

I think he means “dug out with a spoon”.
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July 4, 2007 4:08pm
James

It was taxpayers money stolen to fund what are private sector activities….no more thanks!
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July 4, 2007 4:30pm
Ben Wilson

Mo more, why would I bother? I’m ranting, that’s what people do here. Kiwiblog is for ranting, and this thread especially so. It wasn’t only Trevor’s wet dream, it also might have been well appreciated by the millions of NZers who like rugby, for decades. But no, stingy small minded and/or green morons prevailed and we’ll just have to settle for being even more of an international laughing stock than we already are.

Come to NZ! Yes, we are still using Eden Park. No, it hasn’t been condemned. Yes, the locals are still pissed off and no, there isn’t any parking there or any facilities surrounding it. Tickets will cost heaps and there won’t be many of them. But that doesn’t matter because only most of NZ actually gives a shit about rugby, unlike yacht racing, which we remodeled several miles of Auckland’s waterfront for. You’ll still be able to pay to see it all on Sky. If you’re rich enough to be able to go to a game, feel free to sit in an expensive taxi in a traffic jam trying to get to that waterfront, where you’ll have the privilege of seeing boats owned by foreign millionaires, and hoist on a pedestal the original loser of the America’s Cup which started all this. After that you can take a stroll along the butt-ugly container terminal built on reclaimed land that all the green dickheads were so worried about spoiling with the stadium you could have been admiring Auckland from. Or you could take a stroll up Queen St, which will no doubt be a deserted pedestrian zone, where you can buy cheap plastic trinkets to thoroughly remind you of what NZ is all about. Then catch a taxi back to the park, and several hours later drink some more Lion Red from a paper cup and really enjoy the experience that is NZ putting in. Observe the dour looks from the locals who can spot a foreigner a mile off and hate them all. Enjoy the indigenous culture poking their tongue at you and pulling a browneye, for which you will be expected to maintain a straight face or get headbutted viciously. Try to find a club to dance in – good luck. Bars will be open, though, and fights to be had aplenty. Take some mates, because kicking a downed opponent on the ground is considered fair play, especially if they are outnumbered and foreign. On no account should you talk to the local women, who are only distinguishable from the men by their angry stares. In the morning, wash away that Lion Red hangover with a nice hot coffee served by the nation’s carefully zoned gay community, which is conveniently located 3 suburbs away from the Park on the other side of the motorway. You could walk (only for the fit, take an umbrella and a map) or bus (only 3 changes needed) or catch a taxi (recommended). Breakfast should only come to about $40 if you stick to coffee and bacon. Enjoy your stay, and if the All Blacks lose, catch the first flight out, because things are going to get ugly.
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July 4, 2007 4:38pm
llew

I’m with Ben, let’s stop flushing money down the proverbial chasing this pipedream.

Spend the money on sports more worthy (and yes, that includes the rugby world cup which is fast approaching to embarrass us with our substandard infrastructure.
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July 4, 2007 4:53pm
mo more

I hope you feel better after that Ben!
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July 4, 2007 5:08pm
Ben Wilson

Mo more, I really do. Kiwiblog serves again!
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July 4, 2007 5:13pm
Berend de Boer

Don’t worry DPF, it was just a government effort, sponsored with your money. I’m sure National will increase the subsidy to efforts like this.
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July 4, 2007 5:19pm
andy

I must agree with llew.

World Rally Of NZ average veiwers world wide 54 million people (2006), beautiful shots of NZ from helicopters, all for free. They get a one million dollar LOAN from govt to secure the event. If anyone has everseen the media event that is WRC will know they spend big let alone the teams.

So one could argue that every year the WRC in NZ is worth more than one auld mug in spain.

If motorsport, athletics, soccer etc can do without welfare so should yatching.
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July 4, 2007 5:45pm
Kent Parker

Apparently there was a lot of money on a 5-2 win to Alinghi…
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July 4, 2007 5:48pm
peterquixote

nationalists yous america rich man cup are all nationalists mussolini was a nationalist,
peterquixote
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July 4, 2007 6:12pm
frederico

I’m currently in Australia. They quite like yachting and watching sports on TV. I have seen very little to suggest NZ were in a yacht race. I have occasionally seen on the late night news, a middle eastern airline coming second to to some kind of pasta.

The only advertising profile this fraud of a sport has raised is for Labour. But whose surprised at that.
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July 4, 2007 7:19pm
Whitebread

Given what this government wastes money on, the money given this cup campaign was well spent and as Labour’s own ministers admit has been pretty much recouped already. I’d be ready to see another government pledge of a similar amount to the next NZ campaign because of the significant exposure for the country as a whole as well as providing a cause for the nation to pull together on. It was a great event and the team, which by the way is the closest thing to a national team in the event, can be proud of their conduct on and off the water.
Only the churlish would compare the amount of money given this campaign to the outrageous cost of a new stadium, almost a billion dollars as was being mooted. Now this would be a staggering handout from this country’s long suffering taxpayers, not to mention those who would have to contribute from rates. Anybody looked at how rates rises have compared to the official CPI in the last ten years?
To those armchair critics who are being so nasty in their denigration of a great team of sportsmen who provided a great spectacle, fuck off, get off your arses and go and give something a try yourselves.
To those who would like to give support and encouragement to the team, email or contacts are available at the website adress. You could also email your MP and let him or her know you support another handout to keep the team together. Altogether money better spent than spending to send people on hip-hop tours.
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July 4, 2007 7:46pm
Whitebread

Given what this government wastes money on, the money given this cup campaign was well spent and as Labour’s own ministers admit has been pretty much recouped already. I’d be ready to see another government pledge of a similar amount to the next NZ campaign because of the significant exposure for the country as a whole as well as providing a cause for the nation to pull together on. It was a great event and the team, which by the way is the closest thing to a national team in the event, can be proud of their conduct on and off the water.
Only the churlish would compare the amount of money given this campaign to the outrageous cost of a new stadium, almost a billion dollars as was being mooted. Now this would be a staggering handout from this country’s long suffering taxpayers, not to mention those who would have to contribute from rates. Anybody looked at how rates rises have compared to the official CPI in the last ten years?
To those armchair critics who are being so nasty in their denigration of a great team of sportsmen who provided a great spectacle, fuck off, get off your arses and go and give something a try yourselves.
To those who would like to give support and encouragement to the team, email or contacts are available at the website adress. You could also email your MP and let him or her know you support another handout to keep the team together. Altogether money better spent than spending to send people on hip-hop tours.
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July 4, 2007 7:49pm
Whitebread

Given what this government wastes money on, the money given this cup campaign was well spent and as Labour’s own ministers admit has been pretty much recouped already. I’d be ready to see another government pledge of a similar amount to the next NZ campaign because of the significant exposure for the country as a whole as well as providing a cause for the nation to pull together on. It was a great event and the team, which by the way is the closest thing to a national team in the event, can be proud of their conduct on and off the water.
Only the churlish would compare the amount of money given this campaign to the outrageous cost of a new stadium, almost a billion dollars as was being mooted. Now this would be a staggering handout from this country’s long suffering taxpayers, not to mention those who would have to contribute from rates. Anybody looked at how rates rises have compared to the official CPI in the last ten years?
To those armchair critics who are being so nasty in their denigration of a great team of sportsmen who provided a great spectacle, fuck off, get off your arses and go and give something a try yourselves.
To those who would like to give support and encouragement to the team, email or contacts are available at the website adress. You could also email your MP and let him or her know you support another handout to keep the team together. Altogether money better spent than spending to send people on hip-hop tours.
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July 4, 2007 7:54pm
Whitebread

Given what this government wastes money on, the money given this cup campaign was well spent and as Labour’s own ministers admit has been pretty much recouped already. I’d be ready to see another government pledge of a similar amount to the next NZ campaign because of the significant exposure for the country as a whole as well as providing a cause for the nation to pull together on. It was a great event and the team, which by the way is the closest thing to a national team in the event, can be proud of their conduct on and off the water.
Only the churlish would compare the amount of money given this campaign to the outrageous cost of a new stadium, almost a billion dollars as was being mooted. Now this would be a staggering handout from this country’s long suffering taxpayers, not to mention those who would have to contribute from rates. Anybody looked at how rates rises have compared to the official CPI in the last ten years?
To those armchair critics who are being so nasty in their denigration of a great team of sportsmen who provided a great spectacle, fuck off, get off your arses and go and give something a try yourselves.
To those who would like to give support and encouragement to the team, email or contacts are available at the website adress. You could also email your MP and let him or her know you support another handout to keep the team together. Altogether money better spent than spending to send people on hip-hop tours.
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July 4, 2007 7:54pm
Whitebread

Given what this government wastes money on, the money given this cup campaign was well spent and as Labour’s own ministers admit has been pretty much recouped already. I’d be ready to see another government pledge of a similar amount to the next NZ campaign because of the significant exposure for the country as a whole as well as providing a cause for the nation to pull together on. It was a great event and the team, which by the way is the closest thing to a national team in the event, can be proud of their conduct on and off the water.
Only the churlish would compare the amount of money given this campaign to the outrageous cost of a new stadium, almost a billion dollars as was being mooted. Now this would be a staggering handout from this country’s long suffering taxpayers, not to mention those who would have to contribute from rates. Anybody looked at how rates rises have compared to the official CPI in the last ten years?
To those armchair critics who are being so nasty in their denigration of a great team of sportsmen who provided a great spectacle, fuck off, get off your arses and go and give something a try yourselves.
To those who would like to give support and encouragement to the team, email or contacts are available at the website adress. You could also email your MP and let him or her know you support another handout to keep the team together. Altogether money better spent than spending to send people on hip-hop tours.
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July 4, 2007 7:54pm
repetitio

Once was enough thanks whitebread.
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July 4, 2007 8:01pm
Whitebread

Sorry
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July 4, 2007 8:04pm
frederico

Whitebread

1. Prove the money has been recouped.
2. Its not a national team, this is a corporate competition
3. How do you know we don’t give something else a try you sycophantic sanctimonious prick

The whole thing is a con!.

This is a corporate advertising gig, a sideshow, and bears no resemblance to grass roots yachting.

The sooner people realize this and focus on real issues effecting NZ, the better
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July 4, 2007 8:08pm
hopeful

In 1995 we won the Americas Cup and lost the Rugby World Cup final – we’ve reversed one of those so let’s hope the other is reversed as well.
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July 4, 2007 8:59pm
Ben Wilson

Whitebread, what do you think the comparison in numbers is between NZers who like rugby and NZers who like the friggin America’s cup? 40:1? 100:1? Ask 10 random strangers to name two friggin people on the Team NZ boat. Then do the same for Rugby. It’s not churlish. It’s obvious to anyone who can pull their head out of their arse for half a second anywhere in the entire country. If we had a stadium to show for it I wouldn’t have minded the rate rises so much. As it is, all I get is less of my garbage collected and neverending roadworks, most of which are aimed at slowing traffic down. Oh, and that’s right, we’re still paying for the waterfront.

As for being an armchair critic, I personally do about 10 hours of sport every week. And I do go sailing and I don’t play rugby. But I’d STILL much rather have a rugby stadium for the goddamned WORLD CUP than a monument to coming second, thanks very much. I’d rather have hip hop tours too, come to think of it. This country needs more hip hop. That’s something kids might watch and appreciate, unlike the 2am yawnfest that was the Swiss vs the Emirates team we somehow got our name on. So why don’t you and your wonderful spectacle fuck off, or at least pay for yourself?

Significant exposure? Don’t make me laugh. Over a billion people watched the last rugby world cup. The advertising rights alone would pay for the stadium. Hundreds of thousands of people would come here spending a lot of money. We’d have the stadium forever, not just 4 years. The whole downtown area would be revitalized. Thousands of contractors would have had work building the damned thing.

Your attitude is exactly what I was ranting about. It seems to me what you like about the America’s cup was that it was comparatively cheap and we did OK in it. Cheap and mediocre. Pretty much sums up the country’s approach to public expenditure, shortsighted, tightfisted and ultimately lame. Never mind investing in something the country actually excels at and is famous for. Ask any foreigner about NZ and one of the first things that will come up is Rugby. Fuck all of them will have even heard of the America’s Cup, much less associate it with NZ.

However, after the World Cup down here, the world is going to start wondering if we really do give a shit about rugby. Maybe they’ll see us being miserly shortsighted smallminded yokels and wonder a whole lot less about why a fifth of the population can’t bear to live here.
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July 4, 2007 10:25pm
bob

Ben – can you then explain why more people were watching the sailing than the rugby last weekend? (as reported in the Herald).

Doubters should also look at the growth in the NZ boatbuilding industry since the AC raised NZ’s profile in that area.

And as for the WORLD CUP. Just how many countries play rugby again? How many sail?
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July 4, 2007 10:47pm
ryan

I agree Ben W. that the Bleedin’Park upgrade is half-arsed, but mainly due to Mallard sulking after his waterfront proposal sunk. Plus, it’s major handicap has always been it’s site in the middle of suburbia – plain dumb. It’s typical of disfunctional AK though (couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery) – and they wonder why the rest of NZ shake their heads is disbelief at their insular stupidity, and label them JAFA’s.

But from my engineering/construction background I can tell you – the waterfront proposal was crap too. Mallard should have stuck to what he knows (Wainuiomata school teacher?). Wrong geotech location, impossible timetable, hyper-optimistic “budget” estimates, egotistic design (trying to match Fran Wilde’s caketin legacy?) etc.

But Trev’s take-it-or-leave-it, ultimatum style posturing (thank God) spooked enough people to see his grand floater sink.

If you want to blame anyone when the whole world is laughing at us, half-cocked Trevor “Heineken” Mallard is as good a place as anywhere to start.
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July 4, 2007 11:17pm

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