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Post by Bruce on Nov 9, 2006 12:21:51 GMT 12
With the current hype over the so- called national stadium (A final - term self monument for Helen) and the Govts preferred site on the Auckland Waterfront, you would think that Eden Park or the Waterfront are the only possible locations. Another group of architects has presented a proposal situated on reclaimed land at the head of the Mangere inlet - beside the former Pikes Point Airfield. This resolves a lot of issues with the stadium regarding acces, moving existing occupiers etc. It also offers the possibility of reinstating the airfield as a complimentary land use. See www.pikes.co.nz/manukau_stadium.htm Despite recent polling showing most Aucklanders would prefer the Mangere Inlet proposal over the other options, a media smokescreen seems to have kept it out of the limelight. Aucklanders, if you can, please voice your support for the Mangere inlet proposal - and possibly get NZs best little airfield back!  |
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Post by phil82 on Nov 9, 2006 13:06:32 GMT 12
The main problem with Helen's Stadium is that it is proposed to be built in Auckland, and of course anything to do with Auckland is likely to be not only delayed but will cost twice the original price. All those Auckland Mayors and Councillors will still be rattling their mayoral chains and arguing when Mallard finally sees sense and moves the project elsewhere. Wellington, of course. already has the best stadium in New Zealand, with brilliant access, and it could easily be extended to accommodate 60,000! The only real snag with that would be renaming it from the current Westapc Stadium, to The Helen Clark Memorial Stadium and, god forbid, she might want to come and live here!
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Post by beagle on Nov 16, 2006 20:27:12 GMT 12
What about building it at Whenuapai or Hobsonville
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2006 21:07:17 GMT 12
Sorry Beags, that land is earmarked for state housing for immigrants.
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Post by beagle on Nov 16, 2006 21:35:09 GMT 12
Just think of it as one big house for the extended family
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Post by twilight on Nov 16, 2006 21:44:03 GMT 12
What about building it at Whenuapai Not closing down another airfield! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2006 21:55:28 GMT 12
Hi Twilight,
You must be one ofthe many new members who have joined while I was away. Welcome to the forum anyway.
Sadly Whenuapai will probably close regardless. The Govt seems determeined and don't want to listen to common sense and and the people and councils that wish to save it. Just like Wigram, it will soon be just another suburb. Then they'll go "Hmm, we need an airport for the North Shore..."
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Post by beagle on Nov 16, 2006 21:59:05 GMT 12
I am confident that it will be turned into civvy control if, IF they get the go ahead to combine civvy/military operations from there, once again,.
It is being discussed at the moment, but takes time, as from the Oh redevelopment, that is going to take longer than expected so WP will not be closing till 2012 at least.
I'll book tonight a ticket from WP to LAX direct with virgin Blue dated for 2009
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 16, 2006 22:30:22 GMT 12
I cannot see any reason why they can't keep military ops there and open the base up to civil operators that can rent sites, raising money towards the base upkeep and illeviating the pressure on the defence budget. I mean, Woodbourne has always been dual civil and military, as is Rongotai, and in the past Milson, Wigram, Harewood etc have operated both side by side. The RNZAF has little to hide in its equipment, Whenuapai is not exactly Edwards Air Force Base, is it? Operating Orions and Hercules from Whenuapai is the only sensible option, that's why they're moving it all south and taking precious operating hours away from search and rescue flying hours. Senseless.
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Post by beagle on Nov 17, 2006 14:16:48 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 17, 2006 14:22:38 GMT 12
Yes, prewar Union Airways used the base and had a mechanical section there. The entire lot was commandeered by the military (including staff) on the 4th Sept 1939.
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Post by beagle on Nov 17, 2006 14:31:35 GMT 12
oh ..ok supposse you are right. Harewood was there then as well ..... But military only  ? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 17, 2006 14:49:11 GMT 12
Harewood's construction only began in about 1937 and it was still being built in Sept 1939. Once Wigram became fully military, Union flights (Electras) went into Harewood during the war.
There is a fantastic set of three massive books by Ramon K. Trollope on Harewood, they entire prewar and wartime history in diary format, with old articles and interviews and all sorts of photos. Sadly he died after completing it but before publication. His son got the Christchurch Airport to publish the books, but only 49 (from memory) copies of each volume were produced. The Christchurch Library has two sets in its reference section. I also borroed them from the National Library. Real treasures indeed. They'll tell you far more than I can.
Incidentally I have an amazing series of articles by Leo White from 1938 which i copied from the NZ Observer magaine. He flew from Auckland to Dunedin and back on various airlines and over eight articles described the trips and the pilots in great detail. They are a wonderful piece of history. He makes those days sound really elegant, the luxury of the DH.86's and the speed of the Electras, etc. He did branch-off flights to Gisborne, Nelson etc too. If anyone is interested I'll scan the arcticles soon and place them here. Flying the main trunk 70 years ago, you can't beat it.
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Post by beagle on Nov 17, 2006 14:56:12 GMT 12
I take it you do not have a tv in your house
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 17, 2006 14:57:55 GMT 12
Certainly do, but I broaden my horizons too.
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Post by Bruce on Nov 23, 2006 22:29:59 GMT 12
They've gone for the waterfront! dont ask where the Ports of Auckland are supposed to put thier container facility (its only that silly "trade" thing anyway) or how people are supposed to get to it, or even where the tradespeople are going to magically materialise from (simultaneous to NZs largest apartment complex being built and a new Governemnet subsidised housing project getting under way). Hey there can be a big ego monument (Clarke - Mallard Park) all ready on the waterfront by 2015. Looks like Christchurch is going to host the cup final after all. I have heard a name for the new stadium - the "A-Hole"  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 23, 2006 22:39:10 GMT 12
"dont ask where the Ports of Auckland are supposed to put thier container facility "
Well, Eden Park's the obvious choice, no-one will be using it.
"or even where the tradespeople are going to magically materialise from "
"Tutai Phillip Field will be new Minister of Immigation Workers"
I think the stadium name has already been confirmed as Aotearoa Stadium, isn't it? As it will be destroying historic Bledisloe Wharf, why not call it Bledisloe Stadium, and have a permanent room there for the cup of the same name just to piss the Aussies off.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 27, 2006 17:13:42 GMT 12
They've gone for the waterfront! dont ask where the Ports of Auckland are supposed to put thier container facility (its only that silly "trade" thing anyway) or how people are supposed to get to it, or even where the tradespeople are going to magically materialise from (simultaneous to NZs largest apartment complex being built and a new Governemnet subsidised housing project getting under way). Hey there can be a big ego monument (Clarke - Mallard Park) all ready on the waterfront by 2015. Looks like Christchurch is going to host the cup final after all. I have heard a name for the new stadium - the "A-Hole" I'm not sure where you got the idea that the decision had gone for the waterfront, but now the final decision has been made in favour of Eden Park. I guess it's a lot closer for the motorcade to speed to for the RWC final, as she only lives around the corner. In a report tonight they suggested one way of raising money for the stadium would involve naming rights. Does that mean they may change the name from Eden Park to something else? i hope not. It's bad enough that Lancaster Park became flippin Jade Stadium. |
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Post by corsair67 on Nov 27, 2006 17:52:43 GMT 12
Great, so they're going to upgrade Eden Park, but they're possibly going to need private money to help out with it?
Sounds like it's going to be crappy already! ;D
And as to naming rights, that's always fraught with danger: how does Carefree Tampons Stadium or Pfizer Viagara Stadium sound??? ;D
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Post by beagle on Nov 27, 2006 19:11:33 GMT 12
How about the Wings over New Zealand aviation forum stadium How much monies have we got in our xmas party fund dave........ I like the look of this stadium in Japan, it holds 60 000 and it looks like a rugby ball, plus it has a roof to keep out crap auckland weather  |
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