Category: News

WHO WILL STAND AGAINST LEN (CTD)

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More Spin than the Spin Cycle on my Washing Machine

 

After the SPINNING THE SPIN and WHO WILL STAND AGAINST LEN posts here at BR:AKL, the Herald picks up Kiwiblog‘s original post on our Mayor’s spin doctors and decided to write a story about it:

From the NZ Herald:

Mayor heavy on ‘spin doctors’

By Bernard Orsman BernardOrsman 5:30 AM Tuesday Feb 19, 2013

 

Len Brown‘s critics say the ‘gaggle’ of communications staff means ratepayers are funding his re-election bid.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown is facing criticism for hiring a sixth “spin doctor” six months out from the official start of the local body elections.

The six advisers at Mr Brown’s disposal include three full-time staff and three part-timers.

The full-time staff are Dan Lambert, the head of communications responsible for strategy and planning; chief press secretary Glyn Jones and senior communications adviser Melanya Burrows

…

In a post on his Kiwiblog site titled “Len’s gaggle of spin doctors“, Mr Farrar said Mr Brown’s hiring of Dan Lambert took his tally of spin doctors to six – more than the entire parliamentary Labour Party.

Labour has five parliamentary press secretaries and a part-time speech writer for 34 MPs. Prime Minister John Key has four press secretaries and one media assistant.

Mr Brown refused to answer questions about communications staffing under his leadership.

Mr Lambert blocked repeated requests by the Herald to speak to the mayor, saying: “I think it’s reasonable the mayor wouldn’t want to go on record on a matter like this.”

Orakei Local Board chairwoman Desley Simpson said Orakei ratepayers were funding the latest “propaganda manager” and the mayor’s election campaign.

In the same posting, Mr Farrar challenged the right-wing Communities & Residents to select a mayoral candidate, otherwise Mr Brown and his spin doctors would have an easy time of it.

No one from C&R or the right has come forward to challenge Mr Brown for the local body elections, including Orakei councillor and the mayor’s loudest opponent, Cameron Brewer.

Mr Brewer – a former “spin doctor” to Auckland City Mayor John Banks, Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley and Act leader Rodney Hide – said nobody would be able to match Mr Brown’s army of spin doctors, advisers and consultants.

 

Well DPF and myself picked up on the fact pointed out in the red bold text through our own blogs:

From my own recent post

WHO WILL STAND AGAINST LEN – No Alternative Candidate to Run Against Incumbent Mayor?

After DPF’s Kiwiblog ran a piece on “Len’s gaggle of spin doctors” he asked this question at the bottom: “Talking of the election, isn’t it time also for C&R and their friends in Auckland to get their shit together and select a Mayoral candidate. Otherwise Len and his six spin doctors will have too easy a time of it”

That opens the question:” WHO IS THAT ALTERNATIVE TO RUN AND STAND A REMOTE CHANCE OF WINNING AGAINST THE INCUMBENT MAYOR – LEN BROWN“

 

Orakei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson picked up on DPF’s blog post and had this to say on Facebook (it was made under the Public section):

…

The rest of the debate continued from there and you can see it at that respective post

 

However as the Mayor asks for over $4 million in this 2013/2014 Annual Plan to run his office including six spin doctors – we the ratepayers should be asking are we getting value for money here from the Mayor’s Office?

From Councillor Cameron Brewer:

The Mayor is asking for $4,994,000 to run his office in election year (see Page 40, Volume 1, Draft Annual Plan 13/14). Have your say by making a submission to the plan by 4pm, 25 February. As I’ve been saying for over two years, the place is completely out of control.

 

So again if you are submitting to the Annual Plan, consider whether just short of $5 million worth of “spin” is good value for money. I would think $1 million would be sufficient to run the mayor’s office and the rest going to our starving Local Boards who do need the cash – and are more productive with that cash in providing our local civic amenities (than the mayor’s spin doctors could ever be)

But hey what would I know about the Mayor’s Office? Time for a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request then?

 

More on this is bound to come as the elections at the end of the year draw nearer! And as I said: “The Mayor has more spin on this than the spin cycle of my washing machine – talk about how to make one’s head spin”

 

Rail Ticket Machines Fail – Again

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Setting a Trend Now Are We?

 

On the 31st of January of THIS YEAR (so no more than three weeks ago as I write this) I wrote a post that was indicative of not being a good look for Auckland. It was called “OH MY – Not a Good Look For Auckland” and illustrated some embarrassment a local had when showing much-needed international investors around Britomart Station:

Made a big mistake yesterday. I showed some international investors around the waterfront yesterday knowing it would be vibrant with Anniversary day regatta on. All was well until they wanted to go see our train station (which was Britomart). What a “disaster” that turned out to be.

They stood there for about 5-10min taking it all in, watching as the same people were at the ticket box with one person working (at that particular ticket box (The station platform level one on the other side of the gates where the “Onboard Fare is usually paid)) trying to sort something out for five minutes. As a result people were coming and going from the waiting queue annoyed.

The investors were not impressed at all and said that what they seen of Auckland doesn’t impress them as a viable city to invest in. They said love the wide open spaces, weather etc. but just doesn’t stack up as commercially viable. 

 

The post continued to go on about the three Rail Ticket Machines in the Britomart Central Post Office end failing and not dispensing tickets causing queues and frustrations at the ticket office as passengers tried to purchase their ticket, pass through the gate line on the platform level and board their train BEFORE the train takes off!

 

Well three weekends later we have EXACTLY the same situation to the point it has been occurring every weekend since mid-January: all three rail ticket machines at Britomart failing causing queues and frustrations at the ticket office as passengers tried to purchase their ticket, pass through the gate line on the platform level and board their train BEFORE the train takes off! And again the machine service technicians were called and again they refuse to come out until the Monday morning peak services to service the machine!

 

So today – Sunday and being the beautiful weather that it is we are going to have this due to the three Ticket Machines being offline until tomorrow: “queues and frustrations at the ticket office as passengers tried to purchase their ticket, pass through the gate line on the platform level and board their train BEFORE the train takes off!”

 

Now how many more times will I be repeating this until Auckland Transport pulls finger and gets a technician service that is meant to do what it contracted to do: FIX THE FAULT WITHIN TWO HOURS OF NOTIFICATION – NOT WAIT UNTIL MONDAY!

 

Although while Britomart was offline, technicians were spotted replenishing the Sylvia Park Rail Ticket Machines yesterday – an improvement to Anniversary Weekend when the machine wouldn’t be serviced until the following Tuesday!

 

Time to flick an email to the Council Accountability and Performance Committee and file a LGOIMA request on the rate these so-called advanced machines keep “breaking down” and the level of service we ratepayers are paying to having the machines serviced!

 

Wonder if I will be writing this exact same post next weekend? iPredict Contracts anyone?

 

I Love Committees

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Off to the Transport Committee

 

(Again)

 

I must be a sucker for punishment rocking up to Committees regularly – especially Government ones. However need to keep the networks going, keep an eye on proceedings, and undertake some of that “dreaded” lobbying to advance projects for the benefit of others (Manukau South Link, or AT-HOP fares anyone?).

 

Next Wednesday (13 February) at 2pm (heck that is a late one) is the first Auckland Council Transport Committee meeting which is chaired by Councillor Mike Lee. You can see the agenda (part one and two) by clicking on the links in blue below:

 

 

I am heading to the Transport Committee meeting on Wednesday for various reasons – they include:

  • Observing proceedings on the following:
    • The latest public transport patronage statistics for November 2012 where rail patronage slipped again for the fourth straight month (since August 2012) with levels now at the equivalent to August 2011 levels. Rail has slipped on by 17.2% for in comparison to November 2011 or 3.1% for the Year To Date that started in July 2012.
    • Comment on AT-HOP and its progression thus far
    • Reaction to Auckland Transport‘s rejection by the powerful Strategy and Finance Committee for funding reallocation to build the duplicate Manukau North Link. At the same time with me making enough noise as it is I might keep an ear to the ground for any noised on the South Link too
    • Any developments on the City Rail Link
    • Any developments on Pukekohe Electrification
  • Continued Lobbying of the Manukau South Link and possibly start lobbying for the Glenora Road Station down in Takanini (hey I am being honest and transparent on my actions in lobbying here folks – part of What I Believe In for a Better Auckland)
  • Reaction on the Mainzeal collapse that has stalled work on the MIT building over the Manukau Station. As the MIT works also included a bus interchange and ticket office, that work has stalled as well and could do for a while putting a nasty spanner in things. What I want to know does Council have a back-up plan to get things moving quickly!

 

Any reaction to the Mainzeal collapse would be interesting as Council has gone more dead silent than a Soviet Missile Submarine off the American Atlantic Coast… This is especially as a public transport project that the Regional Public Transport Plan depends on (wrongly as it stands (another post – another day)) – the Manukau Interchange has stalled entirely.

 

 

Will keep you posted from the events of the Transport Committee meeting next Wednesday.

 

Work Halted on Shed 10, and MIT Building

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Mainzeal Failure Halts Work in Two Crucial Projects

 

Just in from TVNZ:

Sub-contractors attempt to reclaim from Mainzeal site

Published: 11:01AM Saturday February 09, 2013 Source: ONE News

 

…

Main receiver Colin McClow told Newstalk ZB that he could not comment on the situation at this stage.

Work has also halted at Shed 10, and Manukau Institute of Technology‘s new building.

The construction firm, one of New Zealand‘s largest, was placed into receivership on Thursday.

 

If I read that right both work on Shed 10 (the new Cruise Ship Terminal) and on the new MIT building (which is over the Manukau Station) has just come to a shuddering halt due to Mainzeal (the construction firm) going into receivership on Thursday.

 

Oh Crap is the first phrase that enters into mind and someone at Auckland Council is not going to be particularly happy with this development.

 

Stalled work over at the MIT site means the following:

  • An even later date on completion of the MIT building which was to include a Ticket Office for buses and trains
  • The site which is above the Manukau Station remains a construction zone
  • The new bus interchange next to MIT and outside the station stalls as it is part of the MIT construction site

 

Hopefully work can resume on the MIT building with another construction firm ASAP as that is the last thing we need down at Manukau right now – a stalled building site

 

In the mean time – “Oh Crap”

My Waitangi Day

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How One Spends His Waitangi Day

 

Waitangi Day (our New Zealand National Day) has different meanings for everyone. For me on such a clear day like this it means I first of all pay homage to Britain then go out into the garden to tend to the crops. Yes folks and some would be aware, we grow our own veges and have chickens for some “home-grown” eggs.

 

So today I popped out into the back garden for “round one:” harvesting. Round Two: mowing the lawns and ripping out Ivy” will happen later this afternoon or tomorrow morning!

 

A selection of today’s harvest from the back garden. (A note that a mix of organic and synthetic fertilisers and sprays are used for the crops. However I am pleased to note that spraying have been reduced this year with a bumper crop harvest under way)

 

More later

 

Ben Ross : Auckland

Illustrating What I Get Up-To

More Than Just Auckland You Know 😉

Mayor Gets Left Behind

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New Ferry Service Takes Off

 

&

 

Mayor Gets Left Behind

 

No I am not kidding – the mayor Len Brown DID get left behind forcing the ferry to turn around to come and get him after he was caught gas bagging and forgot to catch the service.

From TVNZ

New Hobsonville Pt ferry service launched

For the first time in 50 years Auckland City has funded new ferry terminals in a bid to get commuters off the roads and onto the water.

A new ferry service was launched today and will connect the suburbs of Hobsonville and Beach Haven with downtown Auckland. Two morning and three afternoon services will run on weekdays.

The trips will take 30 minutes and cost $12 a ride for those paying cash, and less for those with an Auckland Transport Hop card.

Hundreds of people gathered to see the launch. The first passengers were Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Prime Minister John Key.

From downtown Auckland the ferry travels west on a scenic journey across the Waitemata Harbour.

“It’s gorgeous,” said Key.

“What you take for granted when you live in Auckland is just how beautiful the surroundings are, and you get a completely different perspective from the water. Can’t think of a nicer way to start the day,” the Helensville MP said.

The boat stops at the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven and then it’s just 400 metres across the water to Hobsonville, a trip the mayor nearly missed out on when the boat left without him

…

DOH!

 

A Radio NZ piece has also come up on the new ferry service this morning that is worth a listen. You can listen by click the link HERE.

Two things that did catch my attention were the following:

  • I hear that right? The Beach Haven ferry service is cheaper due to a larger subsidy so it can COMPETE with the local buses in the area that also head to the same place as the ferry (Downtown).
    Ummm that is rather backwards and an honest flushing of cash down the loo…
  • And plodding along in the interview I just heard that those in Hobsonville have a bus service with no shelter, route map or timetable while AT just spent a few mil on the ferry docks? 
    Am I missing something here?

While I have confidence these ferry services will take off and be a success (got to get more sailings in) the concerns noted above won’t help gaining full confidence when there is so much work to get through in getting this right.

 

A good and basic system has started with this new ferry service, but the inner mechanics in AT when it comes to things like subsidies, competition and lack of facilities on existing services need to be ironed out before things can advance to a first class system.

 

I (well someone will) keep an eye on this and see where things ends up 12 months from now…

Oh My

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Not a Good Look For Auckland

 

Some feedback from a reader (who has asked to remain anonymous which BR:AKL will do as requested) on their experience with our rail system down at Britomart over the recent Auckland Anniversary Weekend:

 

Made a big mistake yesterday. I showed some international investors around the waterfront yesterday knowing it would be vibrant with Anniversary day regatta on. All was well until they wanted to go see our train station (which was Britomart). What a “disaster” that turned out to be.

They stood there for about 5-10min taking it all in, watching as the same people were at the ticket box with one person working (at that particular ticket box (The station platform level one on the other side of the gates where the “Onboard Fare is usually paid)) trying to sort something out for five minutes. As a result people were coming and going from the waiting queue annoyed.

The investors were not impressed at all and said that what they seen of Auckland doesn’t impress them as a viable city to invest in. They said love the wide open spaces, weather etc. but just doesn’t stack up as commercially viable. 

While I am here: Every time I go into Station Square in Newmarket to show potential investors/tenants the vacant shops I pray there are humans (besides the unemployed and school kids hanging around during school hours I might pray but the poor tenants are mental wrecks waiting for the last  four years for the trains to arrive every thee minutes and what was it like 17,000 people using that station.

 

The person who sent in the above also sent in some photos to boot (Anniversary Monday):

 

Well after another anonymous reader fed to the blog some statistics from the Anniversary Weekend I am not surprised that our friend above was rather disheartened and the investors spooked off.

The statistics I am referring to is how many Rail Ticket Machines had some kind of fault in them. 37 faults on 31 machines out of an approximate total of 57 rail ticket machines across the Auckland rail network over the long weekend. The faults can range from:

  • Machine has no change
  • No paper (so the machine goes “offline” as it can’t print tickets)
  • Printer Fault (can put the machine offline)
  • Machine just turned off
  • Bank Note Device not accepting your $20 bill 😛

So 31 out of 57 machines had either one or more of the above listed faults in the weekend. To make it worse, if you call it in to the AT-HOP help desk the technician won’t come until Tuesday to “fix” the issue (I kid you not).

 

Now to make life harder, those with AT-HOP cards who would tag on and off like I do when travelling by train would have faced numerous tagging posts “offline” meaning you need to go find another tag post. I knew of a couple of stations (I went travelling on the train in the weekend “exploring”) that had two out of three of their tag posts offline. Again call it into AT-HOP help desk and the technician comes out Tuesday.

 

What on earth happened over the Anniversary weekend when Auckland had all the tourists in. I thought we were meant to make our good train system that – good; not bloody difficult and spooking off people.

Groan – the amount of work to advance the good system into an Advanced First-Class system just keeps piling up and up and up with no light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Come on guys – I know you can do better 😦