I thought the dancing cranes needed a bit more time to work on their routine (what was that about?) but overall the opening ceremony was an uplifting, flash, but not too over the top, start to the Rugby World Cup. In Auckland, and (even here in Wellington) it seems like the idea of waterfront party was just what was needed. The only problem was about 10x as many people showed up as there was room for in the city of sails. A good problem to have- that is unless you are stuck inside with a family. The big issue was that the transport system did not cope, despite assurances that it would. I know Len Brown has launched a review this morning, but it clearly wrecked a few nights which is a pity for what looked like such a festive occasion. Would be interesting to hear from anyone who was there, but in the meantime here are some interesting stories and views.
One small curiosity from the night. On Tuesday morning on Firstline on TV3 Rachel Smalley asks the Prime Minister at the end of her interview (relevant bit at 4.35) where he will be for the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, and will he be there “beer in hand”. Key says he will be there, laughing saying maybe not beer in hand, “although maybe I will, I don’t have to make any speeches that night.”
Except he did of course. Now that Opening Ceremony must have been set for months and months beforehand so surely he would have known, and Mr Key was quite definite he was not speaking. Odd. Perhaps it was an on the night decision, which seems extraordinarily casual for such a major and important event, but it might explain what was a pretty ordinary effort (not even a Kia Ora?) from the PM in front of a TV audience of millions.
For the record …
I have witnessed the opening of major sporting events for over 30 years, whether from the couch or in person (not as an athlete, alas!).
I have heard Queens and Presidents and assorted bigwigs, and I have never – repeat NEVER – heard the official speaker open the games by saying “Go [my team]!”
It didn’t happen at the Olympics. It doesn’t happen anywhere. Everyone knows it isn’t classy, and it isn’t done. Everyone … except Mr Key.
If you disagree, I challenge you to find examples. I think it may have happened in the Soviet Union, 1980.
The Prime Minster embarrassed us on the world stage. Let’s hope he stays off it.
@ old sammy. Hear hear!
In the paper this morning the Pm says he feels if he has misled the public he will resign… this was in relation to a comment about declaring the number of dead in CHCHCH. Did he really not know he would be speaking, or did he mislead the public?
On another note why doesnt he just admit he’s not used to public speaking, it’s nothing to be shamed of and not unusual for most of us, so why claim it has to do with having an Austrian mother? I mean usually he is quite self effacing and prepared to be “ordinary” – does he even still speak Austrian? I know many english second language kiwis, and those who have been here since early childhood do not “suffer” from the affliction after so many decades.
Whafe
“Pinkos”???
Hiccups??? Not relying on a train or bus Whafe on friday night??
Wasn’t the opening ceremony out sourced to Australia?
@Tracey LOL
!
Old sammy, I’m from overseas, my visiting mates are here from overseas. None of us found it at all embarrassing. I haven’t yet found any overseas organ that says it was embarrassing. People I work with, none found it embarrassing. When I went to the pub last night, nobody complained at all. Heaven forbid a man supporting his own national rugby team.
And good on him if he had a beer or two, I hope it was Heineken and hope it was provided free from the sponsors.
Looking at the hate fuelled posts here for a man you collectively despise for no other reason that he happens to have a different point of view to you, it only appears embarrassing in your own little clique of haters. You know you could all be a lot nicer to each other if you didn’t hate people so much.
IT’S ABOUT THE RUGBY!! WHO IS GOING TO REMEMBER THE PM’S SPEECH? Except you fellas in your angry little world.
Everyone knows it isn’t classy, and it isn’t done. Everyone … except Mr Key.
Everyone should know we have the least ‘classy’ PM this country has seen – excepting Rob Muldoon of course. Not surprising there are some similarities in the low standard of leadership. Not surprising either that, as happened between 1976 and 1984, a large portion of the population took a while to latch on to the truth. They will wake up eventually, and once again Labour will be voted back in to clean up the fiscal and socal left behind.
damm… last few words should read ‘fiscal and social mess left behind’.
@softstarter
You are quite wrong.
Of course, left-leaning people will oppose a right-leaning government (and vice versa). That’s a given.
But when you state that criticism of John Key is …
“… for no other reason that he happens to have a different point of view to you”, you clearly (or deliberately?) misunderstand.
In simple terms, it is the difference between Margaret Thatcher and Sarah Palin. I would strongly oppose both – on the different point of view grounds that you state. I would only oppose the latter, on the grounds that I state. Ideology and competence are not synonyms.
If you bothered to consider my comment properly, rather than shoe-horn in your own version, you would realize this.
Attacking the motivation of anyone who criticises Key, is a cop-out. What, then, is the motivation of the legion of international critics, who have mocked his comments on England’s black strip? Are the UK media and rugby fans secretly Labour hacks?
Maybe people just call it as they see it. I do.
Man you guys are just so negative. (deleted : your opinions don’t need to get personal – Darien). It’s exactly why people don’t vote Labour.
Can you imagine Helen Clark doing the speech? The whole stadium would fall silent with her awful glare. It’s great we’ve got a normal and relaxed person for a PM at the moment.
@softstarter – a beer or two?
@Anne – agreed
99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer, Key takes one down and wolfs it down, 98 bottles of beer on the wall…
@ Spud
Those who found the “go the mighty all blacks” comment inappropriate are suffering from the delusion that Key was speaking to the world, for us, when clearly he was speaking to the voters of NZ, for himself.
…..a crosby-textor inspired stunt?
…..i feel used..
I think we have found the bottom of the barrel.
John Key said he wouldn’t speak and he did… Abjectly pathetic.
John Key said “Go Allblacks!”
Pathetic. It makes my head spin.
Agreed Curious.
It was the bottom of the barrel. Pathetic and immature. Publicly barracking for the ABs in front of an international audience plus the other teams playing in the tournament. Mind you, Key could surprise us… he could go even lower before the tournament ends.
Good grief people – he was great! Mangled vowels and all. I’ve never heard a Prime Minister say ‘I’m proud of you’ to all the citizens either but I thought it was a lovely thing to say. Must mean he’s even proud of you guys
I’ve never heard a Prime Minister say ‘I’m proud of you’ to all the citizens either
It’s happened plenty of times. Not in that specific kind of arena but elsewhere in times of stress and strife.
I think rather than something nefarious or VRWC, crosby-textory blah blah, the simplest explanation is probably the most accurate.
I suspect the PM was caught up in the moment (maybe he’d had one too many, who knows), was ‘pretty relaxed about it’, and mangled his lines
Bursting with champagne and national pride and maybe a touch of hubris, he blurts out a couple of crowd pleasers.
Not particularly statesman-like but hardly a hanging offence.
I mean this is NZ ffs – the home of political mediocrity whatever colour the party sash is.
I was referring to the comments here being pathetic.
This just comes off as jealousy.
I thought John Key was excellent. I can’t imagine Phil Goff being anywhere near as good. He would have put the audience to sleep as he usually does. He also needs to start dressing professionally and wearing a tie. He may represent workers but doesn’t need to dress like one.
“Looking at the hate fuelled comments for a woman you collectively despise for no other reason than she happens to have a different point of view to you” Could be a comment about the former Pm don’t you think. Certain right wing supporters taking some imaginary moral high ground on behalf of the current PM is laughable seen in historical context.
I’m relaxed about his speech. He doesnt speak well in public and probably never will, that just makes him like over 95% of any normal population.
I was referring to the comments here being pathetic.
Yes, Curious I know you were.
As for your (and others) perpetual jealousy and envy memes… that is as pathetic as anything else I’ve seen here.
Ties and dress???????
The car salesman uses every device available to make a sale including snappy dress to impress.
While John Key is an ex salesman for Allan Greenspan’s shonky uprated toxic derivatives to unsuspecting pension funds and foreign govts around the world. the compliance to business dress code is hardly relevant.
Integrity is not donned with dress except in the eyes of those who can’t see through it.
@Anne- for goodness sake calm down, you’re getting hysterical again. You’d almost sense some “jealousy” and “envy” in your post. Is it jealousy that the socialist ‘meme’ you desperately cling to as a panacea for all ills is met with a crashing silence from the public? Is it envy that anyone who has two dollars to rub together is denigrated as a “rich prick”. That is definitely something better described as “pathetic”. But then again, I don’t judge people on the contents of their wallet, I’d rather look at character, values, work ethic, and intellect. But thats just me.
But then again, I don’t judge people on the contents of their wallet, I’d rather look at character, values, work ethic, and intellect. But thats just me.
anne, john key doesnt know anything.