Fuck you Auckland!

Written By: - Date published: 1:20 pm, July 11th, 2015 - 57 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, democratic participation, local government, national - Tags: , , ,

That’s the Nats’ message to Auckland – Public to have no say in SkyCity convention centre

A resource consent applications for SkyCity’s new convention centre will proceed without the public having a say.

The commissioners said they did not consider there were any “special circumstances” warranting notification of the convention centre application.

The independent commissioners’ decision not to give the public a say is at odds with a recommendation from the council’s lead senior resource consent planner Jennifer Valentine.

In a report to the commissioners, Ms Valentine gave 16 reasons why the adverse effects on the environment will or are likely to be more than minor, and why the public should have a say.

Wonder how Auckland will react to the Nats’ Canterbury style “democracy”.

57 comments on “Fuck you Auckland! ”

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  1. Ron 1
    11 July 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Much more interesting is the Independent Commissioners Skidmore, Hill and Littlejohn. If there is one thing that we can blame the RMA for it’s the obscene growth of the industry that has arisen around the RMA and thus we have commissioners, lawyers and God knows what else offering services such as Independent Commissioners. Maybe we should have some ordinary people on these panels to bring some commonsense into decisions.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1
      12 July 2015 at 8:09 am

      So people with experience and expertise in resource consent services shouldn’t be allowed to ply their trade? Can you explain why it’s “obscene”?

      Or is this another variation on “I hate regulations” dogma?

      • Ron 1.1.1
        12 July 2015 at 2:47 pm

        Because regardless of their so called expertise they seem determined on making decisions that do not reflect what the people would want. Recent Court decision over Ports of Auckland would seem to indicate that. That is why I would suggest having some people on the panels that are more in touch with the rest of the people. It will be interesting in view of the SkyCity decision if there is an appeal of that decision. I hope so.

        • Frank Macskasy 1.1.1.1
          12 July 2015 at 6:43 pm

          Because regardless of their so called expertise they seem determined on making decisions that do not reflect what the people would want.

          Ah, no.

          What you’re really saying is;

          “Because regardless of public opinion they seem determined on making decisions that do not reflect what speculators, developers, and free marketeers want.”

          You’ve simply couched in feel-good terms.

          • Ron 1.1.1.1.1
            12 July 2015 at 7:36 pm

            Not sure what you are trying to say but I would agree with you if you left the ‘not’ out of your second line. You seen determined to say the complete opposite of what I was saying. I wonder why?

  2. Adele 2
    11 July 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Kiaora

    With all due respect, the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand, from Wellsford upwards and from the Bombay Hills downwards, are also thinking – “Yeah, fuck you Auckland.”

    • Sabine 2.1
      11 July 2015 at 4:16 pm

      charming.

    • dukeofurl 2.2
      11 July 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Maybe the rest of the country should get some Greece style tough love from Auckland. Who do you think pays for their roads, hospitals, schools.

      Whanganui has a record flood- who do you think is paying for it ? Auckland GROWS by the population of Whanganui every year

    • Reddelusion 2.3
      11 July 2015 at 5:06 pm

      Your statement says more about you than Auckland, a bit sad really, pathetic narrow mined provincial jealousy, Adele I think you are severely deluded if you think you speak for Nz, your hatred is yours don’t try to justify it by externalising it on others

      • Adele 2.3.1
        11 July 2015 at 6:02 pm

        Kiaora, Delusional Redneck

        Go boil your head. How long would Auckland last without the food, the produce , the meat, the cargo and the power it derives from the rural base.

        You will probably be the first one to eat your neighbour. Fool.

        People in rural communities have larger concerns than a convention centre in “Jafa” land – Food, shelter, jobs.

        The mere fact that JAFA exists as an acronym suggests a long prevailing attitude towards Auckland from non Auckland.

        The only hating here is yours. A redneck bulging with indignation can burst toxicity unexpectedly. However, there is an antidote – two glasses of Fonterra Milk.

        • Red delusion 2.3.1.1
          11 July 2015 at 9:00 pm

          Only one rural red neck in this conversation, nasty piece of works with it and a almighty chip to boot

        • Tracey 2.3.1.2
          12 July 2015 at 1:13 pm

          “the mere fact that JAFA exists as an acronym suggests a long prevailing attitude towards Auckland from non Auckland.

          The only hating here is yours”

          Can you see the contradiction in your statement?

          I was born in Auckland. Apart from 8 months in CHCHCH have always lived here. I LOVE Aotearoa, all of it. Have travelled almost every square inch of it.

          We are far too regional in our thinking. We are effectively a population of 1 city… we are all whanau Adele, all of us. You attitude saddens me.

          • Adele 2.3.1.2.1
            12 July 2015 at 1:37 pm

            Kiaora, Tracey

            It saddens me that the Treaty is not given full effect.

            This stuff is just frustrating. To have a post titled “Fuck Auckland” complete with an image of the proverbial finger is to invite “fuck” responses.

            This is not about the people or the whenua its about the sense of arrogance that the talking heads of Auckland have in respect to Auckland issues. The provinces are struggling with more personal and immediate issues like the collapse of dairy payouts, stagnant or even negative growth forecasts. Some areas are actually being threatened with depopulation as people move to find work.

            Auckland struggling with democracy issues in this context rates just above mud on a gumboot.

            • Tracey 2.3.1.2.1.1
              12 July 2015 at 1:47 pm

              It saddens me that the Treaty is now regarded by too many as an inconvenient contract needing to be torn up .

              :The provinces are struggling with more personal and immediate issues like the collapse of dairy payouts, stagnant or even negative growth forecasts. Some areas are actually being threatened with depopulation as people move to find work.”

              you re talking about the other side of the same coin BUT Auckland also suffers from poverty, inequity, unemployment, unfair empployment. The housing stuff is only benefiting a small number, and some many times over. Take away the rampant inflation of auckland land prices and I suspect our growth aint that flash either. It’s smokes and mirrors whether you talk about the the treaty or the economy or Auckland, and the smoke and mirrors come presently from the National parry, with support from some strange quarters, and in some respects the Labour Party.

              Earlier you mentioned Naida Glavish. As Ngati Whatua AND Maori Party President I wonder how she has viewed the government’s land for housing policy…

    • Steve Withers 2.4
      12 July 2015 at 6:41 am

      Jealousy like that is just….ugly.

      • Adele 2.4.1
        12 July 2015 at 8:03 am

        Kiaora Steve

        I spent most of my life in Auckland and have lived in the North, South, East and West. What a ridiculous notion – that its possible to be jealous of a city.

        You obviously think the rest of NZ should care about the convention centre or that Auckland democracy sucks, or that Auckland ratepayers may have to pay more rates.

        Auckland does has some wonderful attributes. Its the largest polynesian city in the world and the most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand. How it treats that diversity has a lot to be desired however.

        But still – fuck Auckland. And fuck decrepit Auckland men such as yourself. Now that’s “ugly.”

        • Molly 2.4.1.1
          12 July 2015 at 9:30 am

          You are falling into the “divide” and conquer strategy, Adele.

          One that pits ordinary NZers against each other. As you say, Auckland is the largest polynesian city in the world, – how did you reach the point where you treat those inhabitants with such disdain?

          Auckland has not benefited from the focus National has placed on it. A clearing of any proposed public transport projects, a supercity structure that ignored royal commission guidelines, a refusal to ratify the resulting Unitary Plan unless greenfield development was allowed (in contradiction to Aucklanders consulted intentions).

          Be glad for the regions that the focus has been on breaking Auckland’s systems that would lead to better long-term outcomes. Because when that is complete, attention will be given to other regions.

          All that can be said for that is – brace yourselves.

          • marty mars 2.4.1.1.1
            12 July 2015 at 9:39 am

            yep – sad commentary from adele imo. Fuck auckland means fuck the people that live in auckland and that is not okay because many many of those people are struggling and are trying to make ends meet under extreme provocation and they are Māori and every other ethnicity you could name – and they are people!!!!!!!!!!!!

            • Adele 2.4.1.1.1.1
              12 July 2015 at 10:56 am

              Kiaora Marty

              Bullshit to you. This is about a beast called a city. How does Auckland treat our people, our brothers and sisters and other ethnicities. You are a hypocrite if you think Auckland treats our people well.

              When Sky City was first built Maori negotiated with the powers that be to have Maori employed there. The huge Maori carvings within Sky reflect that shared vision. Obviously things changed when problem gambling became an issue for Maori to contend with.

              The convention centre is no different. From a flaxroots perspective it means job, jobs and jobs. So fuck you too.

              Gosh, I am doing rather well for a Sunday, in a previous life I would be saying penance for the amount of fucking being done especially on a Sunday.

              • marty mars …
                12 July 2015 at 11:07 am

                what the fuck are you going on about?

                you abuse me, for what reason?

                I can’t be bothered with fuckwits like you so don’t bother replying

                • Adele …
                  12 July 2015 at 12:47 pm

                  Kiaora Marty

                  I decide when I comment or not.

                  For you to twist the logic to suggest that I am hating on people in Auckland especially Maori, Pasifika is pure passive aggressive angst on your part.

                  Unlike you I spent half my life working within and for those communities. I walk my talk which is more than I can say for the arm chair warriors of the left.

              • Tracey …
                12 July 2015 at 1:14 pm

                SkyCity is not Auckland, it’s not even Auckland City, it’s corporate and it’s government…

          • Adele 2.4.1.1.2
            12 July 2015 at 10:36 am

            Kiaora Molly

            I would argue the concept of ordinary NZer.

            Who or what is this person. There are many within my realm that refuse to acknowledge the name “New Zealand” preferring instead its original name. I certainly don’t call myself a New Zealander.

            We are already a divided people – along racial, socio-economic, cultural, and status of employment lines.

            And yes, other provinces are now grappling with unitary plans. In my neck of the woods there is the possibility that three councils may merge into one.

            In our context it may be a good thing because of the economies of scale that can be had and to create a unified sense of direction required to move an area that has a deprivation index of 10 ( most improvised) towards prosperity.

            For example, eco-cultural tourism has significant potential in this region. But to give this idea full credence as a region we must have a coherent approach to ecology and environmental matters. To be cultural is to have a region that acknowledges and understands its past and be prepared to tell those stories to those tourists looking for authenticity.

            I would also argue how many of our polynesian brothers and sisters are inputting into this big debate over the convention centre. I would think that many from a job perspective would see nothing wrong with it.

            So, again, fuck Auckland, we have our own stuff to worry about.

            • Molly 2.4.1.1.2.1
              12 July 2015 at 10:57 am

              “I would argue the concept of ordinary NZer”

              Adele,

              I’m guessing you would argue a lot of irrelevant points – but my intention – in my previous comment was that “ordinary NZer” is someone who has little or no political power in their own lives to offset the impact that political decisions make.

              “I would also argue how many of our polynesian brothers and sisters are inputting into this big debate over the convention centre. I would think that many from a job perspective would see nothing wrong with it. “
              Ouch. Once again, – how dismissive, and by your own admission – only argumentative speculation.

              “And yes, other provinces are now grappling with unitary plans. In my neck of the woods there is the possibility that three councils may merge into one.

              In our context it may be a good thing because of the economies of scale that can be had and to create a unified sense of direction required to move an area that has a deprivation index of 10 ( most improvised) towards prosperity.”

              Watch out for that snake oil Adele.

              That promise has resulted in a paradox in Auckland. A commitment to consultation that is unprecendented, but a lack of adherence to the results of that consultation in some respects. And a streamlined system that allows the big players direct access to decision makers.

              Tāmaki Makaurau (for your sensibilities), has inhabitants that are suffering and in poverty.

              Many, like me are living in their city of birth, their city of family, friends and work and love the city, not because of the inflated and obscene value of housing, but despite it.

              “We are already a divided people – along racial, socio-economic, cultural, and status of employment lines.

              Yes. And you have just created yet another division and use those other divisions to excuse it.

              From your comments, I can’t work out why you believe that this is a way forward.

              • Adele …
                12 July 2015 at 11:40 am

                Kiaora Molly

                What you think is irrelevant is not to the many who continue to argue Treaty perspectives.

                As an aside, don’t ever enter into a heated discussion on a smartphone. My eyes are so crossed that I can see Auckland traffic heading back from sunny Tauranga.

                Anyway, rather than talk about ordinary NZers try listening to a few. How do you get people out of poverty – create jobs. What does the convention represent to ordinary NZers – jobs. Its very hard to eat high minded ideals.

                And we in the provinces aren’t so dumb as to not recognise the negative consequences of unitary plans.

                And as someone born and bred to that place called Auckland, why don’t you begin with understanding what Tamaki Makaurau actually means – hook up with Naida Glavish. She is a powerful women but accessible to all people.

                • Molly …
                  12 July 2015 at 11:54 am

                  (Your use of kia ora at the beginning of each comment, makes the contrast with content so much more stark.)

                  “Anyway, rather than talk about ordinary NZers try listening to a few.”
                  You mean – listen to you.

                  ” How do you get people out of poverty – create jobs. What does the convention represent to ordinary NZers – jobs. Its very hard to eat high minded ideals. “

                  Whoa, there. Firstly, you use the phrase “ordinary NZers” so glibly after castigating me for lack of clarity. Kudos for sheer arrogance.

                  And your whole premise “create jobs” is so out-of-context it is breathtaking.

                  Jobs that support an industry that destroys communities and lives – are adverse temporary holding patterns – not solutions.

                  ““When Sky City was first built Maori negotiated with the powers that be to have Maori employed there. The huge Maori carvings within Sky reflect that shared vision. Obviously things changed when problem gambling became an issue for Maori to contend with.”

                  Māori did not negotiate with powers that be. Some Māori did. Not the same thing.

                  Others were always rightly concerned with the negative impact of gambling on all communities.

                  Yes, bit facetious with my Tāmaki Makaurau reference and you noted that, but trying to reasonably discuss with you is a lesson in patience and grace – and I’m not going to manage it much longer.

                  Your contributions today have been particularly disconnected and abusive, and like marty mars above, I’m going to save any further practice till another day.

                  • Adele …
                    12 July 2015 at 12:40 pm

                    Kiaora, Molly

                    I am showing particular grace with you. Ngati Whatua negotiated with Sky City and they did it for the good of their people.

                    You say the processes around building a convention centre in the heart of a city will destroy communities and lives. Where was your strident input when a real community in Glen Innes was ripped asunder. Were you standing alongside Hone Harawira and the Mana Party on the protest lines.

                    I have huge issues with talkers like you so long on rhetoric and so short on solutions.

                    But enough I now have to drive to Auckland, to drop my son off. I might even pop into Manurewa and ask the cousins their thoughts on unitary plans, democracy issues and convention centres.

                    Years ago on my through to Auckland to visit friends, I did stop at Clendon Liquorland and asked for a dessert wine. The guy laughed and said “lady, you’re in Clendon, look around – you’d be lucky to get a meal here let alone dessert.”

                    Think about that as an analogy.

  3. greywarshark 3
    11 July 2015 at 4:56 pm

    What pathetic attitudes from auckland apologists. Being grateful to Auckland for growing fast and gobbling up as much of the available government money as possible!? Which is withheld from regions that need investment and infrastructure and is not even available to Auckland’s strugglers who have poverty thrust upon them. we
    should be servile to our big city, we peasants, we serfs.

    The trouble with you apologists is you are dazzled by style and big talk, you don’t realise that little Rasputin from Act has created the mirage of something great but those who looked close realised actually he was a twin of Gollum, looking for his ‘precious’.

    There are wise, sad words that Auckland should take note of. They were uttered about the rise of totalitarianism in Germany. To paraphrase, first they came for Christchurch, but we didn’t care as it seemed far away from our concerns, then they came closer, and now they come for us.

    • dukeofurl 3.1
      11 July 2015 at 5:08 pm

      Its not gobbling up as much ‘government money’ as possible.

      Its money generated in Auckland. For years the roading allocation was lopsided AGAINST Auckland ( they only got around 19%).
      The rest WAS gobbled up by the rest of the country who werent paying anything.

      Its moved up in Auckland to the high 20s now, but still LESS than their share , which would be over 35%.

      • half crown 3.1.1
        11 July 2015 at 5:30 pm

        “The rest WAS gobbled up by the rest of the country who werent paying anything.”

        What are you on about, can you enlighten us by your statement of not paying anything? Where I live my bloody rates are a lot higher than Aucklands for a house of the same value.

        • Reddelusion 3.1.1.1
          11 July 2015 at 5:40 pm

          Yes but small population, no economies of scale, hence higher rates

          Likewise I think we are taking how much tax Auckland pays, not local rates, and how much it gets back, ie a lot less than it pays and proportionate to its population

          • half crown 3.1.1.1.1
            11 July 2015 at 6:58 pm

            I realise that Red, But Aucklanders have the same tax rates as the rest of the country so they pay the same as everybody else depending on income, and as for not getting their fare share, where I live we lack some of the services Aucklanders enjoy, but I would not move as we love it, we don’t winge that we are hard done by and the rest of the country owes us. As for the money generated in Auckland, you could say that about anywhere like Poverty Bay with the fruit growing or Rotorua with the forestry and tourist’s or the Waikato and Taranaki with the dairying, that is a silly argument.

            • Red delusion 3.1.1.1.1.1
              11 July 2015 at 9:07 pm

              Simply arguing Auckland pay more general tax than the region gets back,

              I don’t jump on the petty regional bandwagon jealousy , I live in Auckland but was brought up in the provinces, all have positives, We are a one county, interdependent on each other, to small for parochialism, we are nothing but a small city anywhere else

        • dukeofurl 3.1.1.2
          12 July 2015 at 11:12 am

          Roads are mostly paid for by petrol taxes. Rates can hardly pay for the street you live in to be re sealed.
          You have more km or roads per car, so its subsidised by the bigger cities.

          Auckland is is paying 10% of possible petrol taxes for other peoples roads.
          Do you see us bitching about that !

          For a population of 4.5 mill, 3/4 live in North Island and half 4.5 mill are north of Taupo.

          THis sense of entitlement from you is stunning.

    • Reddelusion 3.2
      11 July 2015 at 5:10 pm

      Wow that’s a stretch, Auckland and nz, fascist Germany and the Jews, some troubled thinking going on there

  4. rob 4
    11 July 2015 at 6:03 pm

    i don’t hate Auckland as in fuck u but no doubt if you own properties in Auckland you must think jk is king in making you rich? and therefore become his voter base! so i would say if you think in that way then f u and hope you get what’s coming to you!

    • Paul 4.1
      11 July 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Aren’t these comments off topic?
      The issue is democracy in Auckland, isn’t it?

      • weka 4.1.1
        11 July 2015 at 7:09 pm

        It’s pertinent I think. The issue comes up with democracy where people think that because Auckland has the biggest population it should have the most say. I think this is wrong. But yeah, you are right, the thread is suppoed to be about how Aucklanders might feel now they’re the ones being undermined.

        • adam 4.1.1.1
          11 July 2015 at 8:20 pm

          Acronym guessing game – Who is the worst S.C?

          Sky City, a free pass again. Well it would not be Auckland, without our great syringe in the sky shafting us. Sky City is the future don’t you know, they are the only people who can save our economy! Stop giving them a hard time, they don’t leave babies in cars, or stop families from eating – that’s the consumers choice. All Sky City does is supply a service that the market wants/need/desires.

          But seriously, Auckland has had democracy ripped from it a long time ago. The end of the boroughs, and towns meant democracy died in this fair city under a labour government, hell bent on being right. The Super City has just been the knife in the back, for anyone who missed the knife in the gut, the first time around.

      • Reddelusion 4.1.2
        11 July 2015 at 11:17 pm

        Very much so Paul but it has bought out the Auckland haters

        • Tracey 4.1.2.1
          12 July 2015 at 1:20 pm

          as though SkyCity is a synonym for auckland when it is more a synonym for National party and big business..

    • David H 4.2
      11 July 2015 at 9:04 pm

      I think he means as in .’POP’

    • Reddelusion 4.3
      11 July 2015 at 10:23 pm

      I don’t hate Auckland but………

  5. Naturesong 5
    11 July 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Auckland has already had a taste of Nationals “democracy” with the advent of the supercity and the series of clusterfucks that stem directly from its creation.

    In response, we (I’m from Auckland, not a National party voter) voted them in again … twice.

    • Tracey 5.1
      12 July 2015 at 1:23 pm

      this ^^^^

      was listening to some stuff about bombing of rainbow warrior. When did the National party or those who vote for them ever take to the streets on behalf of other people..

      the tractor up parliament was by farmers for farmers…

      protesting about mururoa and homosexual law reform etc was by people from the left (mainly) giving a shit about those who couldn’t speak for themselves, when do Nat supporters do that?

  6. Pat 6
    11 July 2015 at 7:39 pm

    this government have been saying fuck you to the entire country for 7 years and yet still here they are…..collective cognitive dissonance?

  7. Save NZ 7
    11 July 2015 at 7:55 pm

    The indépendant commissioners are appointed by the council. Not independent at all! Lovely little wicket for those often semi retired folk who nobody has every heard of and just need to rubber stamp the council’s decisions.

    99.96% resource consents are granted apparently. It’s a Kangaroo court process which is just made to gain as much money as possible from applicants and in return the application is pretty much guaranteed by the council, independent commissioners, and environment court. The onus is now on people who are effected to spend tens of thousands to point out what is already often completely obvious but missed through the stupidity of council et al. Cheating, lying etc all totally allowed in environment court. Even if someone is found out, the court does nothing.

    Imagine if criminal court had such a success rate as the environment court in granting applications, it could hardly be considered a real court.

    • James Last 7.1
      13 July 2015 at 11:20 am

      You poor fool. The commissioners voted AGAINST the council planner’s decision. So not only did they not rubber stamp it, they overturned it. I think you’ll find that meets the very definition of independence.

      Or is that only when you don’t get the result you want?

  8. bearded git 8
    11 July 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Judicial review anyone?

  9. Ad 9
    11 July 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Somewhat unfortunate that this Non-Notified decision comes so quick after the decision not to notify the Ports of Auckland application for expansion. Which was crushed by the High Court.

    Mind you, if any government is going to beat Auckland’s housing problems, we’d better get use to a whole lot more Non-Notified decisions.

    • Save NZ 9.1
      11 July 2015 at 10:33 pm

      Oh yes that’s what they want you to think.

      Solve the unaffordabiltiy problem by rubber stamping consents.

      Actually the opposite is happening. The consents are McMasions that cost millions to build that locals can no longer afford.

      They then ‘lower’ the standard for the locals to 30m2 apartments without balcony so people can ‘afford’ them. Then raise rates cos of all the litigation there is going on because the council grants every application for consent.

      500 year old Kauri tree, gone. 6 Pohutakawas gone. Waitemata Harbour gone. Yep the public at great expense saved them, but what about all the rest of the amenity being bull dozed so that developers cashing in on the market can make a killing.

      Have a look at consents and see how many 3 bedroom 1 bathroom houses being consented in Auckland. (None I would guess unless apartments). Then look to see how many ginormous houses that are replacing the 3 bedroom 1 bathroom houses.

      That means that the person who sells their 3 bedroom for 1 million (common in AK central) then has to pay 2 million on their next house. Local families can’t take that 1 million difference so have to move further out.

      The consents process is actually making houses less affordable and also destroying community amenity.

      • Tracey 9.1.1
        12 July 2015 at 1:26 pm

        Northland and waikato house prices are starting to rise cos auckland investors are looking outside for their investments. Now Northlanders and Waikato folks selling might be thinking “yay”, like aucklanders 10 years ago BUT it also means the general problem is spreading… and the lower incomes in new parts of NZ are going to start to miss out.

        we gots a selfish problem which aint confined to Aucklanders

  10. Visubversaviper 10
    12 July 2015 at 9:33 am

    I have read the Commissioners’ decision and the Planner’s report and I can see how both reached the conclusions they did. The Commissioners took the Ports of Auckland decision into account. I have a suspicion that if it was about an apartment building or some other usage of the same bulk and location there would not be this drama. People do not like the shonky process that surrounded this Sky City deal. The independent Commissioners are not a bunch of retired fuddy-duddies, they are senior Planning and Urban Design professionals at the top of their game. I have worked with several of them and have a lot of respect for their professionalism – even though they have not agreed with me on occasions!

    Please try and separate the Casino stuff from the actual effects of the building.

    • dukeofurl 10.1
      12 July 2015 at 11:20 am

      Professionalism ?
      I wish that was something we could say more often.

      The wharf extensions was the complete opposite, they needed an everyday High court judge to tell them what was written in the law.

      There was an obvious collusion between the council staff and the PoA to exclude the public input.

      I think the idea of special circumstances means a major scale project with a high level of public interest has special circumstances written all over it.

      of course having a public notification doesnt mean a project is unwise

  11. Observer (Tokoroa) 11
    13 July 2015 at 6:03 pm

    The residents may not even notice it, but the Sky City is the living emblem of Auckland and well known throughout New Zealand.

    However, I think it is unfortunate that Sky City is a just another grubby gambling den. A sad shabby place for thousands of Auckland losers.

    It is tough luck Auckland, that your Emblem is a steeple of stupidity with a Prime Minister as its biggest promoter. Gambling, Booze and Prostitutes. All addictive! Great stuff.

    I don’t think the Provincials are are all that jealous of your choices.

    Having said that, congratulations on getting one or two electric trains. It was April 27 2014 (last year) that you got them.

    Wellington got their first electric trains in 1938. Christchurch to Greymouth in 1923. Christchurch to Lyttelton 1929. Just shows you that other communities have their goals. And they achieve them.