What’s the difference between Timaru and Auckland?
Now before all the latte-drinking, Auckland socialites haughtily scoff at the ridiculousness of such a comparison between the Queen City (with its supposed superiority) and the provincial heartland town – I’d ask them to consider the difference between how troubled Timaru-based financier Allan Hubbard and his Auckland counterpart Mark Hotchin are trying to help their out-of-pocket investors!
In this case the difference is crystal clear – it’s the heartland versus the heartless! It is substance over style, man over maggot. It’s about one man owning the problem and facing up to it – compared to the other who refuses to be accountable and runs away.
But it looks like I am not the only person questioning the difference between the approach, ethics and treatment of investors of Messrs Hubbard and Hotchin. It looks as though many in the media and those both inside and outside the financial community are contrasting the approach that the Hanover Finance co-founders Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson have taken to their company's problems compared with the old-school approach by South Canterbury Finance founder Allan Hubbard.
While the 82-year-old Hubbard - who has dialysis treatment for his kidney problems three times a week - is still working hard to try to rescue his company for the longer term. A personally conservative man who has no time for Auckland flash, Hubbard wants to do the best by his investors and creditors and has tipped a considerable amount of his $600 million personal fortune back into the business.
Meanwhile, mainstays of the social pages and darlings around Auckland’s awful and shallow celebrity circuit Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson have shown just how greedy and crass they are compared to the class and honesty of Hubbard. Watson did a bunk to Europe ages ago, while Hotchin is currently hunkering down for the winter in Hawaii.
"We don't have to justify where we get our money or what it's spent on, to anyone," was the arrogant brush-off Hotchin’s wife Amanda gave when a Sunday Star-Times reporter asked how they were funding their stay in a $43,000-a-month hideaway.
The Hawaii jaunt is just the latest in a long list of an ostentatious lifestyle that Hotchin and Co have rubbed in the face of the 16,000 former Hanover Finance investors - who are still waiting to get a return on their investments.
There's also the $30 million mansion on Auckland's Paritai Drive that has now been left unfinished; the planned $13.8m holiday home on Waiheke Island, Hotchin’s 50th birthday party at Fiji's exclusive Vomo Island at a time when the company was in strife, and wife Amanda appearing in the best dressed competition at Melbourne Cup Day last year.
So it's not surprising that people are less than impressed by the attitude of these brash Aucklanders have displayed compared to the dignified and diligent approach of the Timaru-based Octogenarian.
Here’s another difference.
Newstalk ZB host Mike Hosking – a living, breathing example of Auckland’s faux lifestyle and look-at-me culture – has jumped to the Hotchins' defence, claiming the media pursuit of the businessman was simply evidence of the "tall poppy syndrome".
While Radio Live’s Marcus Lush – a former Aucklander – who turned his back on that city’s fake lifestyle a decade ago, and is now based in the most heartland of locations – Bluff – has not been backward in coming forward about how the Hotchins have behaved so appallingly to their out-of-pocket investors.
As they say – enough said!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Troughing old Trot
So the worst kept secret in political circles is finally out - ageing, socialist dinosaur and lone MP Jim Anderton has declared his intention to stand as mayor of Christchurch.
This will pose Anderton - the self-imposed patron saint of the left – to take on Bob “This is your Life” Parker for the role as top political dog in the garden city.
Not wanting to be too unkind but if 72-year old Anderton is the supposed answer to Christchurch’s problems – then it must be a very silly question! He is not so much yesterday’s man, but more like the day before yesterday’s man!
While the political dinosaur known as Jimossaus Anderton may have being around a long time, he has not achieved much – except self-preservation and demanding things be done his way. Anderton has been a member of four political parties and fallen out with virtually every high-profile figure he has ever worked with. Never has it occurred to him that he could be in the wrong.
So how good is a one-man band like Anderton going to be as mayor? Not very good i would guess. His whole career has been based on the mantra of Jim’s way or the highway. Remember this is the same man who during his political career has walked out on two different parties – first with Labour in 1985 and then again with the Alliance in 2002.
Anderton glibly excuses these actions by claiming he never left either party, but they left him. Now to lose one political party might be considered bad luck, but to lose two is a clear case of megalomania and Jim has this in spades!
Former PM Jim Bolger once said that the real difference between God and Jim Anderton is that God does not think he is Jim Anderton! This is not only funny, but also true. He’s a one man band.
But what is probably more obnoxious, than his arrogance and belief that the public wants him – especially in these times of greater public demand for political accountability and transparency – is Anderton’s desire to stay on as an MP even if he is elected mayor.
It says something about his arrogance and huge ego that he would even countenance to continue double dipping as an MP and a mayor and think he can get away with it. Anderton is trying to run the argument that it will cost $600,000 to run a by-election and by not resigning he will be saving taxpayers this cost.
However, Anderton conveniently neglects to mention that staying on as an MP and party leader he will claim something like $700,000 in salary and expenses from the taxpayer. This will not include the $160,000 salary he would command as a mayor – which he claims he give to a charity of his choice.
How benevolent - and appropriate - for this paragon of socialism to be so generous with other people’s money!
Anderton is trying to con people into believing that he can perform the roles of MP for Wigram and Christchurch mayor at the same time. But are not both fulltime positions?
One is based in Christchurch; the other is split between Christchurch and Wellington. Both carry fulltime salaries. As one newspaper rightly opined: Anderton's promise to donate the mayoral salary of $163,113 to community groups if he wins the mayoralty does not resolve the fundamental incompatibility of the two positions. Christchurch ratepayers are paying good money to be represented by a mayor who devotes his energies to advancing the city's interests. He cannot perform that role if he is spending several days a week in Wellington.
It is clear Anderton is not so confident that he will win the mayoralty chains in Christchurch and as is holding onto his Parliamentary role as a safety net. This horrible, old Trotsky needs to get real and get his nose out of the public trough. He should resign now, or at least take unpaid leave for the duration of the mayoral campaign, as other candidates for public office are obliged to do.
This will pose Anderton - the self-imposed patron saint of the left – to take on Bob “This is your Life” Parker for the role as top political dog in the garden city.
Not wanting to be too unkind but if 72-year old Anderton is the supposed answer to Christchurch’s problems – then it must be a very silly question! He is not so much yesterday’s man, but more like the day before yesterday’s man!
While the political dinosaur known as Jimossaus Anderton may have being around a long time, he has not achieved much – except self-preservation and demanding things be done his way. Anderton has been a member of four political parties and fallen out with virtually every high-profile figure he has ever worked with. Never has it occurred to him that he could be in the wrong.
So how good is a one-man band like Anderton going to be as mayor? Not very good i would guess. His whole career has been based on the mantra of Jim’s way or the highway. Remember this is the same man who during his political career has walked out on two different parties – first with Labour in 1985 and then again with the Alliance in 2002.
Anderton glibly excuses these actions by claiming he never left either party, but they left him. Now to lose one political party might be considered bad luck, but to lose two is a clear case of megalomania and Jim has this in spades!
Former PM Jim Bolger once said that the real difference between God and Jim Anderton is that God does not think he is Jim Anderton! This is not only funny, but also true. He’s a one man band.
But what is probably more obnoxious, than his arrogance and belief that the public wants him – especially in these times of greater public demand for political accountability and transparency – is Anderton’s desire to stay on as an MP even if he is elected mayor.
It says something about his arrogance and huge ego that he would even countenance to continue double dipping as an MP and a mayor and think he can get away with it. Anderton is trying to run the argument that it will cost $600,000 to run a by-election and by not resigning he will be saving taxpayers this cost.
However, Anderton conveniently neglects to mention that staying on as an MP and party leader he will claim something like $700,000 in salary and expenses from the taxpayer. This will not include the $160,000 salary he would command as a mayor – which he claims he give to a charity of his choice.
How benevolent - and appropriate - for this paragon of socialism to be so generous with other people’s money!
Anderton is trying to con people into believing that he can perform the roles of MP for Wigram and Christchurch mayor at the same time. But are not both fulltime positions?
One is based in Christchurch; the other is split between Christchurch and Wellington. Both carry fulltime salaries. As one newspaper rightly opined: Anderton's promise to donate the mayoral salary of $163,113 to community groups if he wins the mayoralty does not resolve the fundamental incompatibility of the two positions. Christchurch ratepayers are paying good money to be represented by a mayor who devotes his energies to advancing the city's interests. He cannot perform that role if he is spending several days a week in Wellington.
It is clear Anderton is not so confident that he will win the mayoralty chains in Christchurch and as is holding onto his Parliamentary role as a safety net. This horrible, old Trotsky needs to get real and get his nose out of the public trough. He should resign now, or at least take unpaid leave for the duration of the mayoral campaign, as other candidates for public office are obliged to do.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Look Ma’a – no swearing!
Nobody asked me, but… what was with all the faux outrage - from commentators and punters alike - when Hurricanes and All Black’s midfielder Ma'a Nonu let rip with a foul-mouthed outburst on live radio during a post-match interview.
Apparently, Nonu dropped the dreaded F-bomb seven times in a short span, clearly in an agitated state, after he'd played a star turn in the Hurricanes win over the Chiefs a week or so ago.
Nonu let loose with his stream of invective during a radio interview immediately following the Hurricanes' 33-27 victory over the Chiefs in Wellington. He had scored two tries as his side fought back from a 15-24 halftime deficit.
The bustling 2nd five eight’s after-match rant earned him stern rebukes from both the Hurricanes and NZ Rugby Union management, following outrage in talkback land about his post match interview.
NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said he had met with Nonu seeking an explanation for the repeated swearing during the radio interview.
Here’s an explanation for you Neil, he is just a boof-head footballer who is just not that bright. End of.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that one out. And anyway, one would have thought that NZFRU had more things to worry about than a few ill chosen words by a nice, but not too clever, player caught up in the hype of a good win.
But no, this was something the patrons of our national game were going to fix and fast!
Obviously under pressure from the risk of bad press, the fish heads at NZRFU HQ decided the reputation of the national game was at stake and they had to act with haste. Nonu’s penance included undertaking a mea culpa by making a full public apology and admitting he'd let himself, the game and the youth of the country down with his choice of words in the interview.
"Ma'a and I met and discussed the incident and he acknowledges that he has let himself down on this occasion," said Sorensen.
"Ma'a has been reprimanded and will be required to undertake a community project including a school visit to talk about the responsibilities of being a Professional Rugby player."
All I can say is thank God for the NZRFU! It is good to see they have all the important stuff under control.
Obviously, sending the burly, dred-locked mid fielder out to a whole bunch of lower-decile schools to tell the kids that “swearing is not ok” is going to be the panacea to all the ills that currently confronts the game of rugby in NZ. Not!
Just how big Ma’a’s “F*^k, I am f*$king sorry kids for saying f#%k a little to f*&ken often” is going to bring the crowds back to rugby, improve the NZRFU coffers or keep our best players from heading off overseas has got me beat.
But then again I am not one of our national rugby game’s wonderful administrators. For instance, I would never have been able to come up with the brilliant idea of reinstating the exact same coaching panel who took the All Blacks to their worst ever World Cup performance for another four years so they could have another cracking at failing!
Yip the state of rugby in this country is in great shape when the NZRFU can proudly s boast about one of its stars: “Look it’s Ma’a – and there is no swearing!”
Apparently, Nonu dropped the dreaded F-bomb seven times in a short span, clearly in an agitated state, after he'd played a star turn in the Hurricanes win over the Chiefs a week or so ago.
Nonu let loose with his stream of invective during a radio interview immediately following the Hurricanes' 33-27 victory over the Chiefs in Wellington. He had scored two tries as his side fought back from a 15-24 halftime deficit.
The bustling 2nd five eight’s after-match rant earned him stern rebukes from both the Hurricanes and NZ Rugby Union management, following outrage in talkback land about his post match interview.
NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said he had met with Nonu seeking an explanation for the repeated swearing during the radio interview.
Here’s an explanation for you Neil, he is just a boof-head footballer who is just not that bright. End of.
It doesn’t take an Einstein to figure that one out. And anyway, one would have thought that NZFRU had more things to worry about than a few ill chosen words by a nice, but not too clever, player caught up in the hype of a good win.
But no, this was something the patrons of our national game were going to fix and fast!
Obviously under pressure from the risk of bad press, the fish heads at NZRFU HQ decided the reputation of the national game was at stake and they had to act with haste. Nonu’s penance included undertaking a mea culpa by making a full public apology and admitting he'd let himself, the game and the youth of the country down with his choice of words in the interview.
"Ma'a and I met and discussed the incident and he acknowledges that he has let himself down on this occasion," said Sorensen.
"Ma'a has been reprimanded and will be required to undertake a community project including a school visit to talk about the responsibilities of being a Professional Rugby player."
All I can say is thank God for the NZRFU! It is good to see they have all the important stuff under control.
Obviously, sending the burly, dred-locked mid fielder out to a whole bunch of lower-decile schools to tell the kids that “swearing is not ok” is going to be the panacea to all the ills that currently confronts the game of rugby in NZ. Not!
Just how big Ma’a’s “F*^k, I am f*$king sorry kids for saying f#%k a little to f*&ken often” is going to bring the crowds back to rugby, improve the NZRFU coffers or keep our best players from heading off overseas has got me beat.
But then again I am not one of our national rugby game’s wonderful administrators. For instance, I would never have been able to come up with the brilliant idea of reinstating the exact same coaching panel who took the All Blacks to their worst ever World Cup performance for another four years so they could have another cracking at failing!
Yip the state of rugby in this country is in great shape when the NZRFU can proudly s boast about one of its stars: “Look it’s Ma’a – and there is no swearing!”
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A few random questions
Nobody asked me… but:
- Why do B-grade actresses Lucy Lawless and Robyn Malcolm command so much media attention about their views on global warming and mining?
- Do both these thespians (not pronounced with a lisp) also have careers as climate scientists and geologists - instead of waiting on tables - in between acting gigs?
- If Xena Precious Worrier is so concerned about global warming then how come she has the carbon footprint the size of Sasquatch?
- Has any media ever questioned her on how she can happily fly between LA and NZ on a regular basis, but then lecture the rest of us about the evils of climate change?
- Is Robyn Malcolm really acting when playing a past-her-best, talentless, westie, slapper in Outrageous Fortune?
- Am I the only one who thinks Outrageous Fortune Has Jumped the Shark?
- How many people actually participated in the anti-mining march in Auckland? Was it 50,000, 40,000, 20,000 or 15,000?
- Is it because lefties and hippies can’t count?
- Unless it is how much welfare benefit they are entitled to?
- Why would anyone ever want to be Terry Serepisos’ apprentice?
- Unless you want to learn how to avoid paying council rates?
- Who built those ugly old shed on Queens Wharf and why haven’t they been knock down before now?
- Aren’t 7 Jaffa’s on a stick the perfect logo for the new Auckland Council?
- Is Rodney Hide trying to become a Jaffa with his bad spray on tan?
- How come the only thing the Green Party seems to support is legalising marijuana?
- Does this make them really dopey?
- Why are NZ’s Super 14 teams so crap?
- Who the hell is Justin Bieber?
- Missing Sunrise yet?
- Has anyone actually noticed it got the chop?
- Does anybody care?
- Will UK PM Gordon be brown bread?
- Why do B-grade actresses Lucy Lawless and Robyn Malcolm command so much media attention about their views on global warming and mining?
- Do both these thespians (not pronounced with a lisp) also have careers as climate scientists and geologists - instead of waiting on tables - in between acting gigs?
- If Xena Precious Worrier is so concerned about global warming then how come she has the carbon footprint the size of Sasquatch?
- Has any media ever questioned her on how she can happily fly between LA and NZ on a regular basis, but then lecture the rest of us about the evils of climate change?
- Is Robyn Malcolm really acting when playing a past-her-best, talentless, westie, slapper in Outrageous Fortune?
- Am I the only one who thinks Outrageous Fortune Has Jumped the Shark?
- How many people actually participated in the anti-mining march in Auckland? Was it 50,000, 40,000, 20,000 or 15,000?
- Is it because lefties and hippies can’t count?
- Unless it is how much welfare benefit they are entitled to?
- Why would anyone ever want to be Terry Serepisos’ apprentice?
- Unless you want to learn how to avoid paying council rates?
- Who built those ugly old shed on Queens Wharf and why haven’t they been knock down before now?
- Aren’t 7 Jaffa’s on a stick the perfect logo for the new Auckland Council?
- Is Rodney Hide trying to become a Jaffa with his bad spray on tan?
- How come the only thing the Green Party seems to support is legalising marijuana?
- Does this make them really dopey?
- Why are NZ’s Super 14 teams so crap?
- Who the hell is Justin Bieber?
- Missing Sunrise yet?
- Has anyone actually noticed it got the chop?
- Does anybody care?
- Will UK PM Gordon be brown bread?
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