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Should business fund World Cup vanity projects?

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Should business fund World Cup vanity projects?

3News NZ

The cloud

The cloud

There is continuing controversy about the plastic waka, a Maori cultural centrepiece for the World Cup that will cost $2 million.

The waka will end up being owned by Auckland hapu Ngati Whatua, an organisation with considerable assets across the region.

Should Ngati Whatua be funding the cost of the plastic waka?

It doesn't end there though - turns out the much-trumpeted cloud will be not so much party central as a luxury businessman's showroom. Rugby fans will be out in the cold watching on the big screen, while the 'cloud' ends up a centre for "fashion shows, a food and beverage expo and wine tastings" as well as hosting displays for the country's agriculture, fishing and forestry industries.

Should the taxpayer be funding all this? Is it much needed promotion for our industries in a time of recession?

Or should businesses be footing the bill.

Take part in the poll on the right of the page - we will be using the results in our story tonight. Or leave a comment below.

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Comments

21/04/2011 4:19:42 p.m.

Daz wrote:

I think this RWC will be a real lemon, look at how much money taxpayers and ratepayers are paying to be able to have this event here. We have already paid 300million plus for the upgrade of Eden Park, not to mention the hundreds of millions that ratepayers have paid towards upgrading other stadia around the country, we have paid 20 million to purchase the wharf for party central, plus the money to re-furbish the building on it, money spent left right and centre for all sorts of activities, big screens and marketing venues, the cost of running a Minister for the RWC, all of the marketing hype, and we are underwriting any losses the RWC may make, estimated to be in excess of $50 million. So in exchange for our half a billion plus expenditure - what do we get maybe 50,000 visitors max spending an average of $10,000 each? $500million dollars max? Someone explain to me how this is a good thing? Surely we have better things to spend our money on,

16/04/2011 4:28:47 p.m.

katrina wrote:

If the Maori want the Waka and are going to own it afterwards then they should pay for it, personally I think it sounds crass. As for the Cloud, it sounds like it has a purpose, if it can be used again for other events why not?

9/04/2011 3:53:02 p.m.

Anon wrote:

Wow the spelling and grammar in the majority of these comments is shocking! I'm sorry but i can't take these people seriously, especially ones criticizing others. To the issue at hand, I think that Ngati Whatua should be funding the cost of the plastic waka.

8/04/2011 11:24:14 p.m.

Wendy wrote:

No I don't think the Govt should fund this waka - (especially with it being plastic) - who needs it and who wants it - not the silent majority that's for sure - as usual - it's a gross waste of money. If there is this amount of money going 'spare' use it to help people in pain or put it towards something ALL N.Z'ers can benefit from. A waka that will be owned by a group of maori is of no use to anyone and will quickly become a forgotten relic somewhere.

8/04/2011 9:01:45 p.m.

abo wrote:

I wonder if Doctor Pita (Peter) Sharples realised his faux pas - probably not - being "all about Maori" and badly needing to wash his ageing locks - when talking about the "traditional plastic maori waka" - he said - New Zealand is not just about clean green - its also about Maori - was he claiming Maori are not clean green?? The $2million would be better spent helping the Maori really in need - I'm sure they would rather have food than a plastic canoe edifice.

8/04/2011 11:04:34 a.m.

mel wrote:

I just hope we win the cup this year

8/04/2011 10:00:09 a.m.

Brenda wrote:

In the scheme of things, I don't think $2 mil is a lot of government money. I think the Waka would be an icon for Auckland, and attract tourists... we as a country, have a lot of natural beauty, but what do we have to match the man-made structures you may see in Dubai, America and other countries for instance... Lets show the world we have some engineering skills, I think it would be an asset, and an attraction to Auckland city! Not so sure about plastic though!

8/04/2011 9:31:57 a.m.

Carlos wrote:

None of us should fund rugby. It should fund itself, or go to the wall. This should also be the case with the "america's cup sailing team".

7/04/2011 10:53:27 p.m.

Russell wrote:

We have had 6 yrs to plan this and what do e have.....

A Party Central but we wont be partying there.

Organisers who think that people coming to watch rugby will go to a trade show (oh sorry yes all the dignitries on junkets will).

A plastic Waka ...... REALLY???

A Minister for the RWC who misses meetings

and lastly we hand over the running of the opening ceremony to an Aussie crowd who are screwing kiwi companies and maximising their take home to Aussie profit.

WELL DONE NZ WELL DONE

7/04/2011 10:26:23 p.m.

Grant wrote:

If we have to waste 2million on plastic I would much rather buy that giant rubber duckey everyone liked it. A plstic Waka will do nothung for New Zealand, nothing for maori particularly those outside the region and it will waste tax payer money. If the tribe wants it they pay for it I am sick of the government wasting tax payer money on useless maori, arts another useless money wssting PC projects. John Key you are an idiot!