Today on the Panel Tim Beveridge was joined by Irene Gardiner and Frank Ritchie to wrap the week that was. On today’s agenda:
The US has hit a new low in the Biden-Trump debate, as the two face off in what’s been declared “the worst debate ever”. Golriz Ghahraman is "baffled as anyone" as she's convicted for shoplifting, Sydney's Luna Park is being put up for sale for the first time in two decades, and did Scott Robertson just give the All Blacks captaincy to 'a mate'?
Plus, it’s a sad day for fans of Cadbury’s chocolate fish as the company has confirmed the “iconic product” is on the way out.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from US Talks
AB debating all the issues and more. It's the panel
on the Weekend Collective on US Talks A B.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
When a Die and the Laymen of Race, Gonna go
to the Place Nestace, when a Lame, the Downsdie, going
out to Spirien.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Scribb, going on to the Spirit and Sky and the
Laments of Rais and Monocoder. Please ask the base.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I had a very good afternoon to you. I'm Tim Beveridge.
Welcome to the show that we can collective. The twenty
ninth of General My goodness, we are only a day
away from being halfway through the year. Forget about the
shortest day. Time is flying this year, isn't it. Anyway, Look,
we're looking forward to the show, and I'm sure time
will fly during our show because we always like to
have a good lineup of guests and topics for you
to tune into. And you can text us anytime on
(01:24):
nine two nine two, But just looking forward to the
rest of the show. At four o'clock for the one
roof radio show, actually Church is joining us, I'm gonna ask,
actually a RV is still relevant. There's some amazing stat
about the number of properties selling under the RV, but
also as risk, just can you avoid really risky investments?
Or is the property market basically as risk and debt
(01:47):
a non negotiable for successful property investing? Chatting about that
and of course other things. Actually he's always got lots
of hot takes on recent developments. And from five o'clock
for the Parents Squad, we're joined by fertility expert Dr
Simon McDowell's. We're gonna have a chat with us about
the declining fertility worldwide and actually how is the best
way to prepare your body or should I say bodies
(02:08):
takes two to tango as they say, for successful conception
a more and more common issue, I guess, I mean, anyway,
we won't come up with my own conclusions for that,
because that's what we've got, that's what we've got the
expert in anyway. Ah, So welcome to the panel. And firstly,
just to introduce our first panelist. She is a long
time producer and journalist and president. It's quite a flash
(02:30):
titled this. She is president of these Screen Producers Guild
and it is Irene Gardner. Irene, good Good afternoon.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
Good afternoon, to you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
How are you.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
I'm very well, thank you. I'm pleased to hear that
running Sparta the producers good sounds flash.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I'm not sure that it is. I think president sounds extra.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Flash because we use the word president president.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I mean there's you could be one of the other
words you could have that would sound less.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Ex chairman, chairperson, chair, personal chair chair. Not sure why
we've always gone for president and vice president.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Maybe it's Hollywood. It's because describe might be the.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Show busy thing. Actually, yeah, because Australia is.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
The same president.
Speaker 6 (03:11):
Yeah, I like it.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
You know, I see something and I really shouldn't have
said something about running spat. I really don't run spatter.
Our brilliant executive director runs smarterer. I just worn about
being president.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
But well that's even better, sounds even flasher. Anyway, nice
to having in the studio and joining us just down
the line. He's described on his ex account self described
I guess as a husband, father, church minister, chaplain for media,
Chaplins in New Zealand, co host of Soundout Sex on
z B and I think I like the last one.
He is a friend of sinners. So I was going
(03:43):
to say something about you and I being best mates, Frank,
but that would be being a little bit sort of
I don't know anyway, anyway, Frank, here you going.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
I'm good mate, and it's nice to be back after
being away from the panel for so long. And that
little line friend of sinners. Someone offered that to me
as an insult once, and I don't think they'd ever
read the Bible, because that's exactly how Jesus has described
so I.
Speaker 7 (04:04):
Thought I'll take that on and my friend, you definitely
count and that makes so.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
I didn't even give you a last name, not that
you needed. I just said it's Frank, Frank Richie, and
how have you been? You've got You've still got the
magnificent bookcase behind you. I think, possibly the best zoom background.
I know one other person who has a good zoom
background like that, it's probably Ashley Church actually, but yours
is it's spectacular. I just had to share that with you.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:28):
Look, I've done a little bit of work on it,
and can I say as well, being a little bit
familiar with Irene's work, it's a real pleasure to be
on the panel with Irene as well.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Actually, you know what Frank Irene said to me, I'm
quite disappointed that Frank's not in the studio. I was
looking forward to meeting him, and I would have been
I think were it for that that I was not
enough of a draw card, she probably wouldn't even been here.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Thank you. You're a super good Frank, because yes, I
see you on the social media and I like where
you come from on issues of the day, et cetera,
and I was looking forward to meet you and I
just got here. It's just Tim and.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Justine. That would be a good title for biography, wouldn't
it an autobiography? Anyway? Hey, guys, nice to have you
on the show. Look, there's not a hell of a
lot in the New Zealand politics landscape. We might touch
on a couple of things, but we're going to start
off with politics and possibly one of the more depressing
TV debates that I have only partially watched because I
(05:26):
can't bear it. And to me, the USA can we
not do better in terms of having someone who's looking
a little bit too old to do the job, frankly,
and someone who's blatantly unhinged? Anyway, what did you watch
the Biden Trump debate? Irene?
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I like you did not watch every single bit of
it because I have a particular aversion to seeing and
hearing Donald Trump. But I did watch bits, and I
have watched the fallout. I'm not as panic stricken as
some people are because I don't believe Trump is going
to get in later year. I think the American media
covered Trump in a very unusual tray, like great Freudian
(06:12):
swiper slip. There he The people who love Trump really
really love him, but I don't think it's going to
be enough people to get him in. He's going to
get more and more mired in legal troubles. Women are
not going to vote for him because of Rowe versus Wade,
and so I don't think he is going to win
the election. I have been quite a supporter of Joe
(06:35):
Biden's because, well partly because he saved me from a
second four years of Donald Trump. Back in human being,
he's a very decent human being, and he is historically
a very able politician. And whether it's him or whether
it hits his team, the last few years have been
great and history will record him as a very successful president.
(06:58):
And they you know, by the time the election comes around,
the economy will be good, jobs will be good. Those
are the things that people vote on. But he was
bad in the debate. I don't normally find him quite
as jumbly and stumbling as other people think.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
He is, well well, he struggles with his speech as well.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
Yeah, and I think that's fair enough when you know
that he's controlling a lifelong statter. He's also got a
bit of a limp because he's tripped over the dog.
So but you know, I haven't none of that has
particularly bothered me, and I've seen him speak very very well.
You know, he was very good in the Strait of Union. However,
he was not good in this debate. But it is
an easy debating Donald Trump because he just stands there
(07:37):
and lies. So do you spend your time correcting the
lies or what do you do? And he also had
a head cold, so he wasn't at his best. So
it's entirely possible that if they keep the faith, he
does another debate, it's completely fine and they sail on.
If however, he is sort of crossing a bit of
a health and frailty threshold as he moves into his eighties,
(07:59):
and it would make sense to swap horses. I can't
imagine he'd have any problem with that. He doesn't strike
me as a person of great It's just I don't
know who that actually is, because in some ways you
kind of need the ordinary old white guy to put
against Trump, because if you put a woman, or you
put a person.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
A color American who might be kryptonite for Trump. And
I'm sure there are a few people having a word
Michelle Obamasey are saying your country needs you. Possibly.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
But anyway, if Michelle stepped up, I'm sure she'd get it.
But she she just doesn't want to do it.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Yeah, but I think you know, she could do it
for a year. I did see a Twitter a comment
from someone saying, look, dry Button's old for sure, but
I would vote for a corpse ahead of Trump.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Absolutely. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
I think I'm hoping that there's a whole bunch of
the population that thinks like that. But I just find
the whole thing depressing. I didn't get to watch it
last night because I was prepping for the show that
I was doing on ZB But I was listening to
Roman talking about and I saw the headlines as they
came through, and then I tried to watch it this morning.
I think I got about half an hour, and I
just couldn't do it anymore. The fact that they're a
(09:03):
population of something like three heading towards three hundred and
fifty million people, biggest economy in the world, biggest military
in the world by a long shot. So this is
the person who commands their military, and the best you
can do is Trump versus Biden, a serial liar versus
a guy who just very well is past his prime.
He clearly was off the end of a cold and
(09:24):
his body was struggling with it. There were points in
that debate where he said some really good stuff, but
it just didn't have the energy to make the hit
in the debate. So I'm I feel depressed about where
the American political system is at.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Oh well, I think so. In fact, look, yeah, I can't.
I just I can't get my head around this is
the best America can do right now. And the only reason,
let's face it, the only reason Biden, I guess, is
there is because he was put up as a well
known political figure with an association with the Obama presidency
as well, and a reasonable guy, an intelligent man, a gentleman.
(10:02):
I guess didn't they call him gentlemen Joe name I
can't remember. Well, that's a boxer I'm thinking of, but
he is a gentle man. Yeah, and as an antidote. Trump,
by the way, should have given a trigger alert to
the Trump fans, because we'll no doubt get plenty of
hate mail from people who just don't like Trump being
criticized for the obvious flaws in his character that need
to be criticized. But putting aside the arguments that many
(10:23):
Republican fans will have, they go well under the Under Trump,
the economy did X, Y, and Z. It's not that
I'm worried about. It's literally the fact that he is
an enabler of the worst possible dictators around. You know,
he finds it difficult to criticize Putin. He has a
crack at China for sure, but he's an enabler for
Putin and other world leaders who have a malignant tendency
(10:46):
would love him to win. And that's the thing I
worry about. And I think America, goodness sake, surely you
can do better than that, don't You can't hear right?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Well? I still think people always underestimate Joe. Nobody thought
he was going to win. Everyone was talking about a
red wave at the midterms. It was a blue wave,
So yeah, I don't know. I mean, you're right, it's
not ideal having someone old and the debate was very worrying,
but that could turn around. It could have just been
the tail end of the cold. But I think the problem,
you know, when you say, of God, is there not
(11:14):
anyone better? It is that weird thing in America. There's
that huge conservative rump of people, and you know, there
are women who would be way better, but they almost
seem to be unelectable, you know. I mean, I would
assume that at somewhere on the line. Biden's thinking was
that he would bring Kamala Harris up and throw She
just doesn't have the cut throat you know what.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
I must say. She in the early days when they
were when she was being anointed as the vice president,
I thought she looked great, But I must say she
hasn't really impressed me ever since then. I don't think
she's there. She's definitely not the answer.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Maybe Michelle's the answer, and she only does it for
a year or two, and then she hands over to Kamala,
who couldn't be voted in but could do the job.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
What do you reckon Frank any comments.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
Yeah, one of the things that one of the things
that really disappoints me is the Republican side of this,
because I don't think Trump's a swing. There's a couple
of places he's leading Biden, but I don't think he's assuan.
But the fact that he got the nomination I think
speaks to the fact that there's a whole swathe of
the nation that is in grip to a narrative that
isn't real, especially around January sixth. Then the winning and
(12:19):
the losing of that election. I can't see why they
didn't pick Nicki Haley. I think if they'd gone with
Nicki Haley, there's a whole bunch of Democrats who particularly
would have watched that debate last night, who would have gone,
I think we're going to vote for her. So I
think the debate and the fact that Trump is the
nominee for the Republican says that there are a whole
(12:40):
bunch of people swimming in an understanding of the world
that simply isn't real.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Actually, that is a very good point. I think if
Nicki Haley was running, I think that Biden would have
I think everyone would be like the election's over. I mean,
there'll be a lot of Democrats who are thinking that anyway.
But I think that's actually a pretty good point Irene.
But she just couldn't get cut through ahead of the
I don't know how.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
To describe well, because it's a cult, you know, And
I totally agree with Frank. I think for the Republican
Party to give themselves over to a cult and to
a man like Trump, they may never recover from this
period of history.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
You know.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
I mean whatever way you voted, I mean, you know,
Republican presidents and parties of old at least had some
decency and some understanding of the Constitution and how.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
To behave Well. Actually, that's the thing you ask anyone
who look, somebody accused of us of not having much
balance today. Well, you know, to be honest, I think
it's difficult to cheer for a guy like Trump. It's
like when someone's an ass and the other person's maybe
just old. I don't think there's you know, I don't
think we need to have this false equivalence of saying, well,
you know, Biden's got this problem and Trump on the
other hand, that to me, it's clear of how unelectable
(13:49):
Trump is. But he might be because he won't. Yeah.
The other thing is, you know, I was thinking, I
was thinking all the NATO allies, all of Europe will
be thinking maybe it's time to up our arms manufacturer,
and really, because we're not. If he does, when we're
not going to be able to count on America any longer.
There's a whole lot of other things that kick on.
But just on a lighter note, did you see John
(14:11):
Stewart say that everyone start looking at real estate in
New Zealand? And apparently New Zealand real estate agents had
a big blip and interest from the States. I think
they might need to change the rules. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Anyway, well, our price has been going down a little bit,
which some people think is good and some people think
is bad. So you know, if all the Americans want
to come here, they'll come back up, won't they.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I guess if they want a movie, if they can
get in. Mind, it doesn't seem to be too hard
to get into and using on these days, does it. Frank,
you should get in.
Speaker 6 (14:38):
Build yourself a bunker, set yourself up for the apocalypse.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I'm going to get in.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
That's a little bit. Oh, that is a new testament,
isn't it anyway? Look, and I should have given a
trigger alert to the front Trump fans. I'm sorry that
you're all so upset about it, your delicate little sensibilities.
I think Trump used the word snowflake once. I'm not
shawing them mentioning that in any other particular reference. But
there we go. Oh look, fingers cross day. But you know,
(15:07):
I do get the sense that here we are where
all energized talking about it. The people within the Democrat
party there. Imagine the conversations that are going on right
now amongst anyone with a bit of energy and foresight
and influence. The chatter will be nuts.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
I mean, some of the comments that were coming out
in articles about that very thing happening. We're coming from
supposedly people who are Biden's supporters, but they watched last
night and just got extremely, extremely worried.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
So I'd imagine there's a frenzy of discussion going on.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
And look, this is how much of a distraction it was,
because everyone's talking about Biden's frailty and it's almost like, oh,
by the way, everything Trump said was basically a lie.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Yeah, and that's the worry is because you know, as
I say, I would vote for Biden even though we're
dead over Trump.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Yeah anyway, look at anyway, Yeah right, let's move on
just a quick New Zealand politics. It doesn't see there's
a hell of a lot gone on in New Zealand
politics to sort of to trump that story. But the
one thing I've I thought we've singled out is the
government has unveiled its ten year transport plan. And I
know that they announced this earlier, but it is it
(16:21):
slightly does raise the question as to, oh, we are
going to be paying a lot more, and I guess
fair enough. But so they're going to increase fuel taxes
by twelve cents a leader by twenty twenty seven, increasing
to twenty twenty twenty two cents and twenty nine plus
is going to be an increased to vehicle registration fees
by fifty bucks over two years. I think that's just
(16:42):
reality that we've got to spend a lot of money,
isn't it. Irene.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
Yeah, I think it is. We have to pay for
these things, and that's, I guess, is the most logical
way to do so. I'm sort of secretly thinking lucky
me because I walk everywhere.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Oh do you if you had to go to Hamilton,
though you probably would bus? Oh no, how insufferable.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
I don't drive.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Oh you don't drive.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
No, I don't drive. So this will only fit me
in taxi and bus charges. So this is your user page,
you see, will you drivers, you're going to pay for
your roads?
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Interesting that you mentioned bus ahead of the famous train
to Hamilton, which I think you probably could walk. Well.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
I would like to get the train to Hamilton, but
it seems a bit haphazard.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Now Frank's itching to say something from the tray. I
was in the time by the way, the other day
at a lovely time and time.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
It's a lovely it's a lovely city to hang out in.
But I am a fan of the train, though the
fears for that are about to go up as well.
And everybody says it takes so long, and in terms
of global trains, it is a snail compared to trains
that we experienced in Germany and various other places. But
it's quicker than many of the drives that I've done
to Auckland. As soon as you hit Drewry, you never
(17:58):
know how long a trip is going to take. And
the train is relaxing. I get to sleep on it,
I get to work on it, to read on it,
so I enjoy the train. But this price increase around
petrol I think is indicative, and the more we're going
to be paying in many places I think is indicative
of the fact that we have under invested in infrastructure
(18:19):
for decades now. We've been relatively cheap rather than increasing
things incrementally. We're now hitting this phase where we're going, Okay,
there are all these things that we need to work
on and it's going to cost. So we've just got
to realize that we can't do things on the cheap anymore,
and it's gonna hurt, it's gonna bite.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Well, Actually, would you be happy to pay tolls on
roads on new roads and expressways?
Speaker 6 (18:42):
Frank probably some, But I'd also want an alternative. I'd
want a cheap alternative or a free alternative as well.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
I think I think that that's generally the idea is
that there are roads that you can still go another
way if you want to avoid the but expressways I mean,
actually the Hamilton by the way. Vote for the Hamilton
Expressway that rocks. You just get on that set your
speed control of one hundred and ten or whatever.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
And where you go, Yeah, where there aren't sections us,
where there aren't sections that the roadworks are going on.
It's fantastic. But the roadworks, the roadworks that seem to
take forever to get anything done. But again that comes
down to costs. But yes, that expressway is magnificent, excellent.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Hey look, okay, and all the Trump fans you can
relax now we've moved on to another topic, so you can,
you can, you can stop sniffing the smelling salts. I
think it's the Democrats to need the smelling salts right now. Anyway,
it is twenty five past three. This is the panel,
Lunton Beverage, my guess, Iron Gardner and Frank Ritchie back
in just a moment, twenty five past three, a level
(19:50):
of fans.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
If this will last forever.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
And welcome back to the Weekend Collective. This is the
panel and Tim bever to my guests, Irene Gardner and
Frank Ritchie moving on to another more it's probably not
so contentious now it's sort of all done and dusted.
But Gora's Garriman has finally been sentenced over the shoplifting
charges at multiple boutique stores. She was convicted and fined,
(20:34):
and there was a lot. I think there was a
I said this yesterday on Breakfast, that there have been
a huge head of steam building up about this issue
because I think that there's it's accompanying the fact that
she's a political figure who's sort of kind of I
don't know what the word is, but anyway, everyone was
following the case closely. But there's also been the suggestion
that the judges are just too light, too light, She's
(20:55):
going to get a convicted discharge without conviction, But in
fact she wasn't. She was convicted and discharged. Sorry, she
was convicted and fined, and for someone in her position
of what our ambitions are, that was I think that
judge got it about right. Frank, You're going to be
very forgiving on this issue, just as a good Christian.
I'm sure.
Speaker 6 (21:14):
There's an element where I'm forgiving on this, but there's
an element where it's not forgiving. But I hope that
there's a recognition of the privilege here too, in the
ability to tell her story and the ability to get
on board counselors and psychologists that can help her work
through exactly what the issue is we have a lot
(21:34):
of people getting up to stuff in our country now
that is destructive and it's extremely problematic, and the law
comes down on them rightly. So everybody should have to
be accountable for their actions. But I think her being
able to tell her story is something that a.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
Lot of other people don't have.
Speaker 6 (21:50):
They don't necessarily have the ability to call in counselors
and psychologists to help them understand exactly what's going on
in their world. So yeah, I just hope it sheds
a little bit more light on some of the bigger
issues that we're facing as a nation.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
What did you make of it? Oh, hang on, we'll
just get your microphone on there.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
I thought that was a really good point that Frank
just made. Actually that a lot of people convicted of
crimes in New Zealand, you know, there's some serious mental
health issues behind it, and they don't necessarily get any
special treatment or any you know, tailored treatment to help them,
and that is a worry. I think I felt enormous
(22:30):
compassion for Goalers. I think it was pretty clear that
this was some strange kind of a mental health meltdown,
you know, self sabotage, kind of a thing. I mean,
you know, with the stakes as high as they were,
and also no real need in terms of her income.
I mean, there's just she stole ten grounds.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
That's a lot of money for an MP, and still
a Mars bar from Packinson.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I know, but I think that that's still money she
could have spent. She would have had that money herself.
Her motivation would seem to be just something really unusual
and mental health related. So I felt a lot of
compassion for her. I thought it would have been nice
if she could have been discharged without conviction. But I
(23:18):
think the judge had to do what was done and
basically make the conviction. But the punishment was not too
high because everything she's been through, plus the fact that
she won't be able to practice law now is enough punishment.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
I think, Look, I would have been outraged she hadn't
be discharged without conviction, because the argument that peeves me,
which has nothing so much to do with her, is
that when people say, look, I've got so much and
it will cost me so much if I get it,
unless I get a discharge without conviction, and we leave
people to pay the consequences, who are other poor wretches
who can't point, so I've got so much because they
(23:55):
haven't got much, so well nothing for you. You just
get new, just get penalized. And that argument that if
you've got a lot to lose, then maybe you should
also be careful with the way you conduct yourself.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
But that's why I think it's a mental health related action,
not an actual thought out action, because she had so
much to lose, she wouldn't do that.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Yeah, I'm not absolutely Obviously our shoplifting is you're not
viewing the world in the way that everyone else who
doesn't shoplift does. But I think the thing that I
have to say, after seeing what I could bear of
the John Campbell interview, I thought that to me, that
was what I would call an exculpatry sort of interview
where I just got the sense that at no point
(24:39):
in the process, with the submissions from her barristers to
the reasons she shouldn't be convicted, to the explanations about
all the mental health and then the interview with John Campbell,
I just felt everything there wasn't wasn't actually a moment
there where I felt that she had actually taken personal accountability.
I think she'd accepted her fate, but ever I never
(25:02):
got I never got the sense that she was like,
you know what, I did this and I shouldn't have. Yeah,
I was accompanied by this is why nothing. I'm not
really responsible because of mental health and all that sort
of stuff. And even the line about traumatized by the
by the war crimes trials. I mean I recall it,
particularly smiley selfie with a genocidist where she was where,
(25:24):
which she portrayed as I'm putting these people on trial,
And so I am much more cynical. Although after a
night's sleep, after it all died down, I thought, well,
hopefully she can just get on with her life as well.
Speaker 5 (25:35):
So I think she's someone who's still got a lot
to contribute and I wish her well, and I feel
quite a lot of compassion.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
I think you can still wish someone well at getting
over it. But I just what did you think? Frank
Open had a chance to see the interview. But for me, again,
it just it just points to a much bigger problem.
We have huge mental health issues in our country, and
our prisons are loaded with people with mental health issues.
And again we have a government that threw a lot
(26:03):
of money in it don't know know where that money
we went or what it achieved, and we're starting to
get to grips with mental health.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
But we have a long way to go. If we
want to blower our prison numbers, we need to grapple
worth mental health.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Fair enough, Well, let's move to a lighter topic because
we've got Julian Assange down for a chat. But we
might cover him after the break. Not a polarizing. Polarizing,
that's the word. I knew. I was looking for something.
Um All Blacks, Jersey New All Blacks and the Jerseys.
But you Captain, I just got a quick question for
you both. Recently, I haven't really cared about rugby very
(26:40):
much for maybe two or three or four years. I
used to be nuts about the All Blacks hanging on
the selections, hanging on the first test, never miss a game.
And I feel with Scott Robertson in charge, I've just
got this all. I think they could pull me back
and the Blues. You know, at last somebody else apart
from the Crusaders won, So I just get the feeling
I could get more interested in rugby. Frank, of course,
(27:02):
you're still nursing your wounds since the chief has got
their handed with them on a plate, which I predicted,
by the way, Sorry are you where are you at
with your enthusiasm for the All Blacks? I think I'm
with you.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
I think with Scott Robertson, there's the possibility of something
that feels quite different. I mean he interviews differently, so
he draws you into the game differently, and the chance
that something different might happen on the field is good.
I've got to admit, Scott Barrett, I'm guessing was the
right call. I'm not a coach the right call, but
he's a Crusader and Scott Robertson was coaching the Crusaders,
(27:37):
and one of the dangers is the favoring of the
Crusaders when they're not a team that has performed very
well in this last season.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Yeah, Irene, I have no idea whether you're interested in
rugby at all, or whether you're a huge fan or not.
So I'm about to find out. What do you think.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
I'm a bit of a fair weather fan. I sort
of come and go a bit. I mean, I did
grow up in a rugby family, so I did watch
a rugby as a kid. I was very drawn in
during this sort of Hanson McCall carter era. I mean,
a they were doing really well and good at their jobs,
but they also were people who had sort of strong
and interesting personalities. I mean, some people might say Richard
(28:10):
didn't exactly have an interesting personality, but he was kind
of cool and his.
Speaker 4 (28:13):
Very smart guy, very strongly amazing player.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
Yeah, and you know Dan, and you know Rahm Henry
and then Steve Hans and then yeah, I have sort
of wandered off of it. And Scott Robinson does seem
to have a bit of that charisma that might sort
of make me a bit interested. Again, not sure about Scott.
I just know that there's a lot of those brothers
and they're really good at rugby.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I think the thing I just like, we all love
Scott Robertson, it seems, and I really hope that if
he wins the World Cup or a Test series that
we see him break dance. I'd love to see him
do that all that sort of stuff, But I don't
want us to see us so in love with him
that we don't ask him some tough questions from time
to time. So the one question I wish he'd been
asked is given that he said the reasons he appointed
(28:57):
Scott A. Barrett as the captain, was that he's very
close to than they've worked with each other over a
few years. I wish a journalist had said, are you
telling us that no matter the mana or the strength
of a leader in another franchise, they were never going
to get the job ahead of your crusaders, buddy, And
no one, no one asked that. We talked about it later,
but someone should have had the guts to say, hang on,
you've just said you've given a mate job to your mate.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Was that fair?
Speaker 4 (29:20):
Yeah? And so clearly if we had a Richie McCall playing,
let's just use an obvious, amazing captain. If we'd had
a Richie McCall playing for the Blues, he wouldn't have
got the job because or would or would he? And
that's the question I wanted to ask to Scott Robertson
in a loving way, Frank, is that fair enough? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (29:39):
I think it's fair enough. I would have put my
hand out for Ardie Savia personally.
Speaker 7 (29:43):
But I think you're right.
Speaker 6 (29:44):
I think we're in this honeymoon period as if any
losses start to appear on the board that you can
guarantee the questions will change because there's a nation will
change our perspective as soon.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
As there's a loss.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Its I actually I'm a fair weather sort of commentator
on these things, having only hosted the sports show Beverage
on Sport once for six hours never to be forgotten.
But I'm gonna make a prediction here that the All
Blacks are going to come out of the blocks very
very strongly. I'm predicting a very good season for them. Okay,
(30:16):
just write that down, people, and quote me back. Okay,
our end's writing it down. Good. Frank, I want to
hear the tap tapping on the keyboard. We'll be back
in just a moment. It's twenty to four news talks.
He'd be jang it out. Then I come from them
(30:42):
and welcome back to the Week and Collective. This is
the panel with Irene Gardner and Frank Richie on Tim Beverage.
Now just quickly, guys, I still can't work out what
I think of Julian Asan because he's certainly done his time,
whatever time that needed to be self confinement in the
Ecuadorian embassy and then remanded for five years. I think
at Bellmarsh, I don't think you begrudge him freedom. Frank, Oh, yeah,
(31:06):
I think it's fine that he's free. And I was
looking at WikiLeaks just before actually seeing that this story
was going to come up, just to see when the
last information appeared on WikiLeaks, and the last thing they've
up there was twenty twenty one, So WikiLeaks had this
massive flurry.
Speaker 7 (31:21):
But I think this drawn out.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
Legal case against Julian Assange has taken this thing out
of wikileks. It seems to have largely become irrelevant. So
I'm guessing the United States in particular has probably got
to the point where they just don't really care that
much anymore.
Speaker 4 (31:36):
What do you reckon, Irene, Because lost amongst this is
the argument, oh, this is all about freedom of the
press and he's a journalist and all that sort of stuff.
But there's a few arguments against that to me as well,
what did you think? Yeah, they were.
Speaker 5 (31:51):
I mean it's a tricky one because yeah, he's used
that defense of that I was behaving as journalists do.
But actually he did something very odd, which was that
he just dumped a whole lot of uncurated.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Information, hundreds of thousands of documents.
Speaker 5 (32:05):
Care and you know, there could have been things in
there that could have been damaging for the world, because
you know, a lot of diplomacy and international stateshood is
done quietly for a good reason. So I always had
a few reservations about him, and there was something about
him and the way he was I just and of
course it was you know, allegations of sexual impropriety has
thrown into the max as well.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
The Swedish thing, which I don't know where that went, thinks.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
Initially I was kind of like, but these last few years,
as he's just basically.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Deteriorated in jail, and it's all just.
Speaker 5 (32:38):
Been in this mess of what is the legal and
has he been punished enough? And it's actually moved becoming
quite inhumane, I think, and I think, like myself, I
suspect a lot of people have changed their opinion on it.
I started to think, just get him out. It's actually
just cruel.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
Actually, to be honest, whether you like him or don't,
I actually think that, Yeah, I think you Brione, thanks, Look,
he's certainly paid some sort of price, but yeah, I
think the only interesting nuance would be, you know, he
talked about being a journalist but taking hundreds of thousands
of documents and just dumping them uncurated to me, was
highly responsible, and that's the reason I look at him
and go, well, I don't know if you were just
(33:15):
someone out to I don't know what it was, but
that didn't impress me very much.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
Yeah, it's that whole freedom of the press thing, and
there is an important difference. He goes raise a good point,
because there's an important difference between what Julian nos Ange
was doing and what your average journalist does. So people's
various opinions on modern mainstream media and how it works.
There are accountability structures, you have places that you can
(33:42):
complain to, there are ways to hold journalists and media
outlets accountable here in this country. Julianus Ange was not,
and Wiki Leaks not party to any of that.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
Yeah. Yeah, so I think we're all fifty to fifty happy.
He's happy for him, he's free, but not necessarily you know,
the biggest fans. It's interesting the way the media reported it,
because I generally most of the stories seem pretty joyous.
But I said, chatting with our correspondent Murray Olds yesterday
on the Breakfast Show and Murray's Ladies released and all that,
But I said, what's the public split on how they
(34:14):
feel about a Sange and he says, Oh, the Prime
Minister is not going to be have any selfies with
him anytime soon because he's very divisive figure. Polarizing is
the word for today. I think we could say our
panel today's been polarizing for some of our listeners. Anyway. Hey,
by the way, look, I love this story only because
it gives me a chance to talk about one of
my favorite things. So would you guys ever buy a
(34:34):
theme park? Because Lunar Park and Sydney has been listed
for sale for the first time in two decades. To
be honest, two decades doesn't seem a long time in
a park anyway. It's expected to sell for tens of millions.
I've always looked at Luna Park and God, thought, jod it,
do I want to go there? It looks like something
out of the Belove forties or something you have theme
park guy, Frank.
Speaker 6 (34:55):
Not particularly, but it's interesting that you say that because
it opened in nineteen thirty five. I had a look
at some pictures because I've never been there, so I
went and took a look at some pictures, and the
entrance to it just looked like the stuff of nightmares.
You know, if you wanted a mass murder taking place
in a theme park that's the entrance, it would look
exactly like that.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
It looks like we're Chucky the the murderist dollars Chuck
loves Luna Park. What about what about you?
Speaker 5 (35:19):
Are well funny you should mention murders taking place. There's
an incredibly good documentary series on Netflix called Exposed the
Ghost Train Fire, which is about a fire on the
Ghost Train at Luna Park in about the seventies or eighties.
Not murder, but certainly negligence and cover up the tragedy.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
And they're on the Ghost Train.
Speaker 5 (35:40):
Fabulous documentary series. I well, A, I don't have a
spear of tens and millions of dollars. No, B probably
wouldn't want to own an amusement park. But I actually
love the big weird faces at the front. I wouldn't
mind owning them.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
Oh really yeah, I like them outside you.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Because they're on the Melbourne one as well.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
I think that's right. It's Melbourne is well. You can
put them outside in front of your properties. People drive
in and be like, I'm not sure space for dinner. Actually,
the reason I love the story is because somebody reminded me.
In fact, as Francesca Rupken reminded me that if she
won lotto, and I'd be the same. She said, I'd
buy the O House ski Fields because O House ski
Fields are for sale. Then I haven't been sold yet,
(36:22):
and that's where I'm going for a holiday. But imagine
owning your own ski field. I think that'd be good
if you're wealthy enough to own it and just run it,
and I don't know, you might allow a few people
by application to come and ski there in the holidays
and have your friends there. I'd buy a ski field,
Frank a skier.
Speaker 7 (36:38):
Oh look, I might. No, I'm not really a skier.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
But if that's what we're thinking about in terms of
buying a theme park, then maybe, especially if I could
just put a lot of things in there that might
give people a fright as they come around, so they're
not expecting it and you just scare all your friends
when they come into the theme park. And it sounds
like a lunar park with the ghost train fire. Sounds
like the perfect place.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
Now, pop a couple of Mormons at the front. I'm
just joking. Because of the Book of Mormons, what's something
I've been flogging. Are you a scarer?
Speaker 5 (37:06):
I'm not a skier, but I would like to buy
the Chateau to Oh.
Speaker 4 (37:12):
Yes, In fact, we're going to touch on that after
the break. Great segue, because it just heart breaks my
heart to see that building just sitting there. It is
the core for the government to buy. We're going to
talk about that in just a moment. Ten to two
four News Talk s hed B Welcome back to the
(37:36):
Weekend Collective. This is the panel with our Irene gardener
Frank Ritchie. I'm Tim Beverage. Guys, there's been a call you.
You did a beautiful segue to this Irene, because I
do want to buy it. You want to buy the
show Torero. They're talking the Rupe District mayor Western Curtains
calling on the public to sign a petition for the
government to preserve it. Well, that's not going to happen
(37:56):
right now with the budget the way it is. But
it is a tragedy, isn't it. That beautiful old hotel.
Speaker 5 (38:01):
It's a beautiful building and it's got so much amazing history. Yeah,
there must be a way to save it. I mean,
you know, if I won Lotter I'd love to buy it,
but I assume.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
It's I wonder if you'd need more than a power.
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Amount of money. What's about forty million?
Speaker 4 (38:16):
Oh well, not now, it's about five at the moment.
You need to wait for a couple of months. My
mum had holiday and it goes back decades and decades
in the ballroom and the wonderful dining room. But we
stayed there not long before it closed, actually, and it
was actually quite depressing because it was just you could
see or there's not much love here.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Do you think any New Zealanders who love it, could
we all come together and buy it together?
Speaker 4 (38:40):
Oh? Like we did for that New chum Beach. We
chipped in for New chum Beach. Maybe we needed to
irene get that give a little paid start. Frank, Yeah,
I agree. It's one of those iconic even just photos
of it are iconic. It's one of those images where
if you want to sell New Zealand around the world,
that's an image to.
Speaker 7 (38:58):
Pitch to people. And I believe Doc.
Speaker 6 (39:01):
I don't know if they still are, but at one
point they were spending something like two million dollars year
year on its maintenance. At its best, that was bringing
in something like ten million dollars a year to the
local economy.
Speaker 7 (39:11):
Provided a lot of jobs. It's well worth saving.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
Yeah, exactly. Hey, by the way, somebody texted saying, Tim,
you buy the skifield and keep everyone out. How selfish
I was joking. I love Cale, I love people to companies.
Speaker 7 (39:23):
People take you so sissly, and Tim's not that loaded.
This doesn't pay that well.
Speaker 4 (39:28):
No, I need to. I need to get some business
going there.
Speaker 5 (39:30):
That's that fairy tale, the lonely giant and he's in
his garden.
Speaker 4 (39:34):
I hope I'm not like that. Don't the children in
I tell you, what if the poor lonely giant you
cheer them up with. Unfortunately, you can't do this much
for much longer. Apparently, big newsflash, guys, the chocolate fish
is on the way out. The company has confirmed that
the iconic pro product is on the way out. I
must have met we talk about the chocolate fish. I
haven't eaten one for years. Frank, have you do you
(39:55):
have a chocolate fish? Man?
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (39:56):
I was the last person in one of my workplaces
to catch COVID and we had a bet that the
last person who ever got it would get a chocolate fish.
But there are better quality chocolate fish out there than Cadbury,
So Cadbury's disappearing from the markets.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
Actually, oh CONTROVERSI what do you wreck? Are your chocolate
fish fan?
Speaker 5 (40:14):
Chocolate fish fan? And you know, maybe Frank's Ryan these
other brands, but it does seem to me like they're
saying they're going to phase it out because it's declining popularity.
But don't you think as soon as people hear that
the popularity will come.
Speaker 4 (40:26):
Back more popular. As a metaphor, I remember, actually, I
remember I was playing golf with back in the day
with on a show is doing, and a friend had
a real meltdown and lost his temper with all of
us because he was playing badly. And I got back
to my car and there was a chocolate fish under
the windscreen and he goes, sorry, mate, it's not you,
It's just me at a bad day. And it was
the perfect perfect thing. So chocolate fish all around. Look
(40:48):
it's time to go, guys, Irene, thank you so much
for coming. Thank you for having me, Frank, Richie, lovely
to see your mate, and we'll catch you a gett.
Speaker 7 (40:56):
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 4 (40:57):
The Property shows.
Speaker 1 (40:58):
Next for more from the Weekend Collective. Listen live to
news Talk ZEDB weekends from three p m. Or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from US Talks
AB debating all the issues and more. It's the panel
on the Weekend Collective on US Talks A B.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
When a Die and the Laymen of Race, Gonna go
to the Place Nestace, when a Lame, the Downsdie, going
out to Spirien.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Scribb, going on to the Spirit and Sky and the
Laments of Rais and Monocoder. Please ask the base.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
I had a very good afternoon to you. I'm Tim Beveridge.
Welcome to the show that we can collective. The twenty
ninth of General My goodness, we are only a day
away from being halfway through the year. Forget about the
shortest day. Time is flying this year, isn't it. Anyway, Look,
we're looking forward to the show, and I'm sure time
will fly during our show because we always like to
have a good lineup of guests and topics for you
to tune into. And you can text us anytime on
(01:24):
nine two nine two, But just looking forward to the
rest of the show. At four o'clock for the one
roof radio show, actually Church is joining us, I'm gonna ask,
actually a RV is still relevant. There's some amazing stat
about the number of properties selling under the RV, but
also as risk, just can you avoid really risky investments?
Or is the property market basically as risk and debt
(01:47):
a non negotiable for successful property investing? Chatting about that
and of course other things. Actually he's always got lots
of hot takes on recent developments. And from five o'clock
for the Parents Squad, we're joined by fertility expert Dr
Simon McDowell's. We're gonna have a chat with us about
the declining fertility worldwide and actually how is the best
way to prepare your body or should I say bodies
(02:08):
takes two to tango as they say, for successful conception
a more and more common issue, I guess, I mean, anyway,
we won't come up with my own conclusions for that,
because that's what we've got, that's what we've got the
expert in anyway. Ah, So welcome to the panel. And firstly,
just to introduce our first panelist. She is a long
time producer and journalist and president. It's quite a flash
(02:30):
titled this. She is president of these Screen Producers Guild
and it is Irene Gardner. Irene, good Good afternoon.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
Good afternoon, to you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
How are you.
Speaker 5 (02:39):
I'm very well, thank you. I'm pleased to hear that
running Sparta the producers good sounds flash.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I'm not sure that it is. I think president sounds extra.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
Flash because we use the word president president.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I mean there's you could be one of the other
words you could have that would sound less.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Ex chairman, chairperson, chair, personal chair chair. Not sure why
we've always gone for president and vice president.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Maybe it's Hollywood. It's because describe might be the.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Show busy thing. Actually, yeah, because Australia is.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
The same president.
Speaker 6 (03:11):
Yeah, I like it.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
You know, I see something and I really shouldn't have
said something about running spat. I really don't run spatter.
Our brilliant executive director runs smarterer. I just worn about
being president.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
But well that's even better, sounds even flasher. Anyway, nice
to having in the studio and joining us just down
the line. He's described on his ex account self described
I guess as a husband, father, church minister, chaplain for media,
Chaplins in New Zealand, co host of Soundout Sex on
z B and I think I like the last one.
He is a friend of sinners. So I was going
(03:43):
to say something about you and I being best mates, Frank,
but that would be being a little bit sort of
I don't know anyway, anyway, Frank, here you going.
Speaker 6 (03:50):
I'm good mate, and it's nice to be back after
being away from the panel for so long. And that
little line friend of sinners. Someone offered that to me
as an insult once, and I don't think they'd ever
read the Bible, because that's exactly how Jesus has described
so I.
Speaker 7 (04:04):
Thought I'll take that on and my friend, you definitely
count and that makes so.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
I didn't even give you a last name, not that
you needed. I just said it's Frank, Frank Richie, and
how have you been? You've got You've still got the
magnificent bookcase behind you. I think, possibly the best zoom background.
I know one other person who has a good zoom
background like that, it's probably Ashley Church actually, but yours
is it's spectacular. I just had to share that with you.
Speaker 5 (04:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (04:28):
Look, I've done a little bit of work on it,
and can I say as well, being a little bit
familiar with Irene's work, it's a real pleasure to be
on the panel with Irene as well.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Actually, you know what Frank Irene said to me, I'm
quite disappointed that Frank's not in the studio. I was
looking forward to meeting him, and I would have been
I think were it for that that I was not
enough of a draw card, she probably wouldn't even been here.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Thank you. You're a super good Frank, because yes, I
see you on the social media and I like where
you come from on issues of the day, et cetera,
and I was looking forward to meet you and I
just got here. It's just Tim and.
Speaker 4 (05:05):
Justine. That would be a good title for biography, wouldn't
it an autobiography? Anyway? Hey, guys, nice to have you
on the show. Look, there's not a hell of a
lot in the New Zealand politics landscape. We might touch
on a couple of things, but we're going to start
off with politics and possibly one of the more depressing
TV debates that I have only partially watched because I
(05:26):
can't bear it. And to me, the USA can we
not do better in terms of having someone who's looking
a little bit too old to do the job, frankly,
and someone who's blatantly unhinged? Anyway, what did you watch
the Biden Trump debate? Irene?
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I like you did not watch every single bit of
it because I have a particular aversion to seeing and
hearing Donald Trump. But I did watch bits, and I
have watched the fallout. I'm not as panic stricken as
some people are because I don't believe Trump is going
to get in later year. I think the American media
covered Trump in a very unusual tray, like great Freudian
(06:12):
swiper slip. There he The people who love Trump really
really love him, but I don't think it's going to
be enough people to get him in. He's going to
get more and more mired in legal troubles. Women are
not going to vote for him because of Rowe versus Wade,
and so I don't think he is going to win
the election. I have been quite a supporter of Joe
(06:35):
Biden's because, well partly because he saved me from a
second four years of Donald Trump. Back in human being,
he's a very decent human being, and he is historically
a very able politician. And whether it's him or whether
it hits his team, the last few years have been
great and history will record him as a very successful president.
(06:58):
And they you know, by the time the election comes around,
the economy will be good, jobs will be good. Those
are the things that people vote on. But he was
bad in the debate. I don't normally find him quite
as jumbly and stumbling as other people think.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
He is, well well, he struggles with his speech as well.
Speaker 5 (07:16):
Yeah, and I think that's fair enough when you know
that he's controlling a lifelong statter. He's also got a
bit of a limp because he's tripped over the dog.
So but you know, I haven't none of that has
particularly bothered me, and I've seen him speak very very well.
You know, he was very good in the Strait of Union. However,
he was not good in this debate. But it is
an easy debating Donald Trump because he just stands there
(07:37):
and lies. So do you spend your time correcting the
lies or what do you do? And he also had
a head cold, so he wasn't at his best. So
it's entirely possible that if they keep the faith, he
does another debate, it's completely fine and they sail on.
If however, he is sort of crossing a bit of
a health and frailty threshold as he moves into his eighties,
(07:59):
and it would make sense to swap horses. I can't
imagine he'd have any problem with that. He doesn't strike
me as a person of great It's just I don't
know who that actually is, because in some ways you
kind of need the ordinary old white guy to put
against Trump, because if you put a woman, or you
put a person.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
A color American who might be kryptonite for Trump. And
I'm sure there are a few people having a word
Michelle Obamasey are saying your country needs you. Possibly.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
But anyway, if Michelle stepped up, I'm sure she'd get it.
But she she just doesn't want to do it.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Yeah, but I think you know, she could do it
for a year. I did see a Twitter a comment
from someone saying, look, dry Button's old for sure, but
I would vote for a corpse ahead of Trump.
Speaker 5 (08:40):
Absolutely. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (08:43):
I think I'm hoping that there's a whole bunch of
the population that thinks like that. But I just find
the whole thing depressing. I didn't get to watch it
last night because I was prepping for the show that
I was doing on ZB But I was listening to
Roman talking about and I saw the headlines as they
came through, and then I tried to watch it this morning.
I think I got about half an hour, and I
just couldn't do it anymore. The fact that they're a
(09:03):
population of something like three heading towards three hundred and
fifty million people, biggest economy in the world, biggest military
in the world by a long shot. So this is
the person who commands their military, and the best you
can do is Trump versus Biden, a serial liar versus
a guy who just very well is past his prime.
He clearly was off the end of a cold and
(09:24):
his body was struggling with it. There were points in
that debate where he said some really good stuff, but
it just didn't have the energy to make the hit
in the debate. So I'm I feel depressed about where
the American political system is at.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
Oh well, I think so. In fact, look, yeah, I can't.
I just I can't get my head around this is
the best America can do right now. And the only reason,
let's face it, the only reason Biden, I guess, is
there is because he was put up as a well
known political figure with an association with the Obama presidency
as well, and a reasonable guy, an intelligent man, a gentleman.
(10:02):
I guess didn't they call him gentlemen Joe name I
can't remember. Well, that's a boxer I'm thinking of, but
he is a gentle man. Yeah, and as an antidote. Trump,
by the way, should have given a trigger alert to
the Trump fans, because we'll no doubt get plenty of
hate mail from people who just don't like Trump being
criticized for the obvious flaws in his character that need
to be criticized. But putting aside the arguments that many
(10:23):
Republican fans will have, they go well under the Under Trump,
the economy did X, Y, and Z. It's not that
I'm worried about. It's literally the fact that he is
an enabler of the worst possible dictators around. You know,
he finds it difficult to criticize Putin. He has a
crack at China for sure, but he's an enabler for
Putin and other world leaders who have a malignant tendency
(10:46):
would love him to win. And that's the thing I
worry about. And I think America, goodness sake, surely you
can do better than that, don't You can't hear right?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Well? I still think people always underestimate Joe. Nobody thought
he was going to win. Everyone was talking about a
red wave at the midterms. It was a blue wave,
So yeah, I don't know. I mean, you're right, it's
not ideal having someone old and the debate was very worrying,
but that could turn around. It could have just been
the tail end of the cold. But I think the problem,
you know, when you say, of God, is there not
(11:14):
anyone better? It is that weird thing in America. There's
that huge conservative rump of people, and you know, there
are women who would be way better, but they almost
seem to be unelectable, you know. I mean, I would
assume that at somewhere on the line. Biden's thinking was
that he would bring Kamala Harris up and throw She
just doesn't have the cut throat you know what.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
I must say. She in the early days when they
were when she was being anointed as the vice president,
I thought she looked great, But I must say she
hasn't really impressed me ever since then. I don't think
she's there. She's definitely not the answer.
Speaker 5 (11:46):
Maybe Michelle's the answer, and she only does it for
a year or two, and then she hands over to Kamala,
who couldn't be voted in but could do the job.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
What do you reckon Frank any comments.
Speaker 6 (11:56):
Yeah, one of the things that one of the things
that really disappoints me is the Republican side of this,
because I don't think Trump's a swing. There's a couple
of places he's leading Biden, but I don't think he's assuan.
But the fact that he got the nomination I think
speaks to the fact that there's a whole swathe of
the nation that is in grip to a narrative that
isn't real, especially around January sixth. Then the winning and
(12:19):
the losing of that election. I can't see why they
didn't pick Nicki Haley. I think if they'd gone with
Nicki Haley, there's a whole bunch of Democrats who particularly
would have watched that debate last night, who would have gone,
I think we're going to vote for her. So I
think the debate and the fact that Trump is the
nominee for the Republican says that there are a whole
(12:40):
bunch of people swimming in an understanding of the world
that simply isn't real.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Actually, that is a very good point. I think if
Nicki Haley was running, I think that Biden would have
I think everyone would be like the election's over. I mean,
there'll be a lot of Democrats who are thinking that anyway.
But I think that's actually a pretty good point Irene.
But she just couldn't get cut through ahead of the
I don't know how.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
To describe well, because it's a cult, you know, And
I totally agree with Frank. I think for the Republican
Party to give themselves over to a cult and to
a man like Trump, they may never recover from this
period of history.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
You know.
Speaker 5 (13:16):
I mean whatever way you voted, I mean, you know,
Republican presidents and parties of old at least had some
decency and some understanding of the Constitution and how.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
To behave Well. Actually, that's the thing you ask anyone
who look, somebody accused of us of not having much
balance today. Well, you know, to be honest, I think
it's difficult to cheer for a guy like Trump. It's
like when someone's an ass and the other person's maybe
just old. I don't think there's you know, I don't
think we need to have this false equivalence of saying, well,
you know, Biden's got this problem and Trump on the
other hand, that to me, it's clear of how unelectable
(13:49):
Trump is. But he might be because he won't. Yeah.
The other thing is, you know, I was thinking, I
was thinking all the NATO allies, all of Europe will
be thinking maybe it's time to up our arms manufacturer,
and really, because we're not. If he does, when we're
not going to be able to count on America any longer.
There's a whole lot of other things that kick on.
But just on a lighter note, did you see John
(14:11):
Stewart say that everyone start looking at real estate in
New Zealand? And apparently New Zealand real estate agents had
a big blip and interest from the States. I think
they might need to change the rules. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Anyway, well, our price has been going down a little bit,
which some people think is good and some people think
is bad. So you know, if all the Americans want
to come here, they'll come back up, won't they.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
I guess if they want a movie, if they can
get in. Mind, it doesn't seem to be too hard
to get into and using on these days, does it. Frank,
you should get in.
Speaker 6 (14:38):
Build yourself a bunker, set yourself up for the apocalypse.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
I'm going to get in.
Speaker 4 (14:44):
That's a little bit. Oh, that is a new testament,
isn't it anyway? Look, and I should have given a
trigger alert to the front Trump fans. I'm sorry that
you're all so upset about it, your delicate little sensibilities.
I think Trump used the word snowflake once. I'm not
shawing them mentioning that in any other particular reference. But
there we go. Oh look, fingers cross day. But you know,
(15:07):
I do get the sense that here we are where
all energized talking about it. The people within the Democrat
party there. Imagine the conversations that are going on right
now amongst anyone with a bit of energy and foresight
and influence. The chatter will be nuts.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
I mean, some of the comments that were coming out
in articles about that very thing happening. We're coming from
supposedly people who are Biden's supporters, but they watched last
night and just got extremely, extremely worried.
Speaker 7 (15:36):
So I'd imagine there's a frenzy of discussion going on.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
And look, this is how much of a distraction it was,
because everyone's talking about Biden's frailty and it's almost like, oh,
by the way, everything Trump said was basically a lie.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
Yeah, and that's the worry is because you know, as
I say, I would vote for Biden even though we're
dead over Trump.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
Yeah anyway, look at anyway, Yeah right, let's move on
just a quick New Zealand politics. It doesn't see there's
a hell of a lot gone on in New Zealand
politics to sort of to trump that story. But the
one thing I've I thought we've singled out is the
government has unveiled its ten year transport plan. And I
know that they announced this earlier, but it is it
(16:21):
slightly does raise the question as to, oh, we are
going to be paying a lot more, and I guess
fair enough. But so they're going to increase fuel taxes
by twelve cents a leader by twenty twenty seven, increasing
to twenty twenty twenty two cents and twenty nine plus
is going to be an increased to vehicle registration fees
by fifty bucks over two years. I think that's just
(16:42):
reality that we've got to spend a lot of money,
isn't it. Irene.
Speaker 5 (16:45):
Yeah, I think it is. We have to pay for
these things, and that's, I guess, is the most logical
way to do so. I'm sort of secretly thinking lucky
me because I walk everywhere.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Oh do you if you had to go to Hamilton,
though you probably would bus? Oh no, how insufferable.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
I don't drive.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Oh you don't drive.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
No, I don't drive. So this will only fit me
in taxi and bus charges. So this is your user page,
you see, will you drivers, you're going to pay for
your roads?
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Interesting that you mentioned bus ahead of the famous train
to Hamilton, which I think you probably could walk. Well.
Speaker 5 (17:22):
I would like to get the train to Hamilton, but
it seems a bit haphazard.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
Now Frank's itching to say something from the tray. I
was in the time by the way, the other day
at a lovely time and time.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
It's a lovely it's a lovely city to hang out in.
But I am a fan of the train, though the
fears for that are about to go up as well.
And everybody says it takes so long, and in terms
of global trains, it is a snail compared to trains
that we experienced in Germany and various other places. But
it's quicker than many of the drives that I've done
to Auckland. As soon as you hit Drewry, you never
(17:58):
know how long a trip is going to take. And
the train is relaxing. I get to sleep on it,
I get to work on it, to read on it,
so I enjoy the train. But this price increase around
petrol I think is indicative, and the more we're going
to be paying in many places I think is indicative
of the fact that we have under invested in infrastructure
(18:19):
for decades now. We've been relatively cheap rather than increasing
things incrementally. We're now hitting this phase where we're going, Okay,
there are all these things that we need to work
on and it's going to cost. So we've just got
to realize that we can't do things on the cheap anymore,
and it's gonna hurt, it's gonna bite.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Well, Actually, would you be happy to pay tolls on
roads on new roads and expressways?
Speaker 6 (18:42):
Frank probably some, But I'd also want an alternative. I'd
want a cheap alternative or a free alternative as well.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
I think I think that that's generally the idea is
that there are roads that you can still go another
way if you want to avoid the but expressways I mean,
actually the Hamilton by the way. Vote for the Hamilton
Expressway that rocks. You just get on that set your
speed control of one hundred and ten or whatever.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
And where you go, Yeah, where there aren't sections us,
where there aren't sections that the roadworks are going on.
It's fantastic. But the roadworks, the roadworks that seem to
take forever to get anything done. But again that comes
down to costs. But yes, that expressway is magnificent, excellent.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Hey look, okay, and all the Trump fans you can
relax now we've moved on to another topic, so you can,
you can, you can stop sniffing the smelling salts. I
think it's the Democrats to need the smelling salts right now. Anyway,
it is twenty five past three. This is the panel,
Lunton Beverage, my guess, Iron Gardner and Frank Ritchie back
in just a moment, twenty five past three, a level
(19:50):
of fans.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
If this will last forever.
Speaker 4 (20:11):
And welcome back to the Weekend Collective. This is the
panel and Tim bever to my guests, Irene Gardner and
Frank Ritchie moving on to another more it's probably not
so contentious now it's sort of all done and dusted.
But Gora's Garriman has finally been sentenced over the shoplifting
charges at multiple boutique stores. She was convicted and fined,
(20:34):
and there was a lot. I think there was a
I said this yesterday on Breakfast, that there have been
a huge head of steam building up about this issue
because I think that there's it's accompanying the fact that
she's a political figure who's sort of kind of I
don't know what the word is, but anyway, everyone was
following the case closely. But there's also been the suggestion
that the judges are just too light, too light, She's
(20:55):
going to get a convicted discharge without conviction, But in
fact she wasn't. She was convicted and discharged. Sorry, she
was convicted and fined, and for someone in her position
of what our ambitions are, that was I think that
judge got it about right. Frank, You're going to be
very forgiving on this issue, just as a good Christian.
I'm sure.
Speaker 6 (21:14):
There's an element where I'm forgiving on this, but there's
an element where it's not forgiving. But I hope that
there's a recognition of the privilege here too, in the
ability to tell her story and the ability to get
on board counselors and psychologists that can help her work
through exactly what the issue is we have a lot
(21:34):
of people getting up to stuff in our country now
that is destructive and it's extremely problematic, and the law
comes down on them rightly. So everybody should have to
be accountable for their actions. But I think her being
able to tell her story is something that a.
Speaker 7 (21:49):
Lot of other people don't have.
Speaker 6 (21:50):
They don't necessarily have the ability to call in counselors
and psychologists to help them understand exactly what's going on
in their world. So yeah, I just hope it sheds
a little bit more light on some of the bigger
issues that we're facing as a nation.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
What did you make of it? Oh, hang on, we'll
just get your microphone on there.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
I thought that was a really good point that Frank
just made. Actually that a lot of people convicted of
crimes in New Zealand, you know, there's some serious mental
health issues behind it, and they don't necessarily get any
special treatment or any you know, tailored treatment to help them,
and that is a worry. I think I felt enormous
(22:30):
compassion for Goalers. I think it was pretty clear that
this was some strange kind of a mental health meltdown,
you know, self sabotage, kind of a thing. I mean,
you know, with the stakes as high as they were,
and also no real need in terms of her income.
I mean, there's just she stole ten grounds.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
That's a lot of money for an MP, and still
a Mars bar from Packinson.
Speaker 5 (22:55):
I know, but I think that that's still money she
could have spent. She would have had that money herself.
Her motivation would seem to be just something really unusual
and mental health related. So I felt a lot of
compassion for her. I thought it would have been nice
if she could have been discharged without conviction. But I
(23:18):
think the judge had to do what was done and
basically make the conviction. But the punishment was not too
high because everything she's been through, plus the fact that
she won't be able to practice law now is enough punishment.
Speaker 4 (23:33):
I think, Look, I would have been outraged she hadn't
be discharged without conviction, because the argument that peeves me,
which has nothing so much to do with her, is
that when people say, look, I've got so much and
it will cost me so much if I get it,
unless I get a discharge without conviction, and we leave
people to pay the consequences, who are other poor wretches
who can't point, so I've got so much because they
(23:55):
haven't got much, so well nothing for you. You just
get new, just get penalized. And that argument that if
you've got a lot to lose, then maybe you should
also be careful with the way you conduct yourself.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
But that's why I think it's a mental health related action,
not an actual thought out action, because she had so
much to lose, she wouldn't do that.
Speaker 4 (24:17):
Yeah, I'm not absolutely Obviously our shoplifting is you're not
viewing the world in the way that everyone else who
doesn't shoplift does. But I think the thing that I
have to say, after seeing what I could bear of
the John Campbell interview, I thought that to me, that
was what I would call an exculpatry sort of interview
where I just got the sense that at no point
(24:39):
in the process, with the submissions from her barristers to
the reasons she shouldn't be convicted, to the explanations about
all the mental health and then the interview with John Campbell,
I just felt everything there wasn't wasn't actually a moment
there where I felt that she had actually taken personal accountability.
I think she'd accepted her fate, but ever I never
(25:02):
got I never got the sense that she was like,
you know what, I did this and I shouldn't have. Yeah,
I was accompanied by this is why nothing. I'm not
really responsible because of mental health and all that sort
of stuff. And even the line about traumatized by the
by the war crimes trials. I mean I recall it,
particularly smiley selfie with a genocidist where she was where,
(25:24):
which she portrayed as I'm putting these people on trial,
And so I am much more cynical. Although after a
night's sleep, after it all died down, I thought, well,
hopefully she can just get on with her life as well.
Speaker 5 (25:35):
So I think she's someone who's still got a lot
to contribute and I wish her well, and I feel
quite a lot of compassion.
Speaker 4 (25:42):
I think you can still wish someone well at getting
over it. But I just what did you think? Frank
Open had a chance to see the interview. But for me, again,
it just it just points to a much bigger problem.
We have huge mental health issues in our country, and
our prisons are loaded with people with mental health issues.
And again we have a government that threw a lot
(26:03):
of money in it don't know know where that money
we went or what it achieved, and we're starting to
get to grips with mental health.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
But we have a long way to go. If we
want to blower our prison numbers, we need to grapple
worth mental health.
Speaker 4 (26:17):
Fair enough, Well, let's move to a lighter topic because
we've got Julian Assange down for a chat. But we
might cover him after the break. Not a polarizing. Polarizing,
that's the word. I knew. I was looking for something.
Um All Blacks, Jersey New All Blacks and the Jerseys.
But you Captain, I just got a quick question for
you both. Recently, I haven't really cared about rugby very
(26:40):
much for maybe two or three or four years. I
used to be nuts about the All Blacks hanging on
the selections, hanging on the first test, never miss a game.
And I feel with Scott Robertson in charge, I've just
got this all. I think they could pull me back
and the Blues. You know, at last somebody else apart
from the Crusaders won, So I just get the feeling
I could get more interested in rugby. Frank, of course,
(27:02):
you're still nursing your wounds since the chief has got
their handed with them on a plate, which I predicted,
by the way, Sorry are you where are you at
with your enthusiasm for the All Blacks? I think I'm
with you.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
I think with Scott Robertson, there's the possibility of something
that feels quite different. I mean he interviews differently, so
he draws you into the game differently, and the chance
that something different might happen on the field is good.
I've got to admit, Scott Barrett, I'm guessing was the
right call. I'm not a coach the right call, but
he's a Crusader and Scott Robertson was coaching the Crusaders,
(27:37):
and one of the dangers is the favoring of the
Crusaders when they're not a team that has performed very
well in this last season.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Yeah, Irene, I have no idea whether you're interested in
rugby at all, or whether you're a huge fan or not.
So I'm about to find out. What do you think.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
I'm a bit of a fair weather fan. I sort
of come and go a bit. I mean, I did
grow up in a rugby family, so I did watch
a rugby as a kid. I was very drawn in
during this sort of Hanson McCall carter era. I mean,
a they were doing really well and good at their jobs,
but they also were people who had sort of strong
and interesting personalities. I mean, some people might say Richard
(28:10):
didn't exactly have an interesting personality, but he was kind
of cool and his.
Speaker 4 (28:13):
Very smart guy, very strongly amazing player.
Speaker 5 (28:16):
Yeah, and you know Dan, and you know Rahm Henry
and then Steve Hans and then yeah, I have sort
of wandered off of it. And Scott Robinson does seem
to have a bit of that charisma that might sort
of make me a bit interested. Again, not sure about Scott.
I just know that there's a lot of those brothers
and they're really good at rugby.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I think the thing I just like, we all love
Scott Robertson, it seems, and I really hope that if
he wins the World Cup or a Test series that
we see him break dance. I'd love to see him
do that all that sort of stuff, But I don't
want us to see us so in love with him
that we don't ask him some tough questions from time
to time. So the one question I wish he'd been
asked is given that he said the reasons he appointed
(28:57):
Scott A. Barrett as the captain, was that he's very
close to than they've worked with each other over a
few years. I wish a journalist had said, are you
telling us that no matter the mana or the strength
of a leader in another franchise, they were never going
to get the job ahead of your crusaders, buddy, And
no one, no one asked that. We talked about it later,
but someone should have had the guts to say, hang on,
you've just said you've given a mate job to your mate.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Was that fair?
Speaker 4 (29:20):
Yeah? And so clearly if we had a Richie McCall playing,
let's just use an obvious, amazing captain. If we'd had
a Richie McCall playing for the Blues, he wouldn't have
got the job because or would or would he? And
that's the question I wanted to ask to Scott Robertson
in a loving way, Frank, is that fair enough? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (29:39):
I think it's fair enough. I would have put my
hand out for Ardie Savia personally.
Speaker 7 (29:43):
But I think you're right.
Speaker 6 (29:44):
I think we're in this honeymoon period as if any
losses start to appear on the board that you can
guarantee the questions will change because there's a nation will
change our perspective as soon.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
As there's a loss.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
Its I actually I'm a fair weather sort of commentator
on these things, having only hosted the sports show Beverage
on Sport once for six hours never to be forgotten.
But I'm gonna make a prediction here that the All
Blacks are going to come out of the blocks very
very strongly. I'm predicting a very good season for them. Okay,
(30:16):
just write that down, people, and quote me back. Okay,
our end's writing it down. Good. Frank, I want to
hear the tap tapping on the keyboard. We'll be back
in just a moment. It's twenty to four news talks.
He'd be jang it out. Then I come from them
(30:42):
and welcome back to the Week and Collective. This is
the panel with Irene Gardner and Frank Richie on Tim Beverage.
Now just quickly, guys, I still can't work out what
I think of Julian Asan because he's certainly done his time,
whatever time that needed to be self confinement in the
Ecuadorian embassy and then remanded for five years. I think
at Bellmarsh, I don't think you begrudge him freedom. Frank, Oh, yeah,
(31:06):
I think it's fine that he's free. And I was
looking at WikiLeaks just before actually seeing that this story
was going to come up, just to see when the
last information appeared on WikiLeaks, and the last thing they've
up there was twenty twenty one, So WikiLeaks had this
massive flurry.
Speaker 7 (31:21):
But I think this drawn out.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
Legal case against Julian Assange has taken this thing out
of wikileks. It seems to have largely become irrelevant. So
I'm guessing the United States in particular has probably got
to the point where they just don't really care that
much anymore.
Speaker 4 (31:36):
What do you reckon, Irene, Because lost amongst this is
the argument, oh, this is all about freedom of the
press and he's a journalist and all that sort of stuff.
But there's a few arguments against that to me as well,
what did you think? Yeah, they were.
Speaker 5 (31:51):
I mean it's a tricky one because yeah, he's used
that defense of that I was behaving as journalists do.
But actually he did something very odd, which was that
he just dumped a whole lot of uncurated.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
Information, hundreds of thousands of documents.
Speaker 5 (32:05):
Care and you know, there could have been things in
there that could have been damaging for the world, because
you know, a lot of diplomacy and international stateshood is
done quietly for a good reason. So I always had
a few reservations about him, and there was something about
him and the way he was I just and of
course it was you know, allegations of sexual impropriety has
thrown into the max as well.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
The Swedish thing, which I don't know where that went, thinks.
Speaker 5 (32:28):
Initially I was kind of like, but these last few years,
as he's just basically.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Deteriorated in jail, and it's all just.
Speaker 5 (32:38):
Been in this mess of what is the legal and
has he been punished enough? And it's actually moved becoming
quite inhumane, I think, and I think, like myself, I
suspect a lot of people have changed their opinion on it.
I started to think, just get him out. It's actually
just cruel.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
Actually, to be honest, whether you like him or don't,
I actually think that, Yeah, I think you Brione, thanks, Look,
he's certainly paid some sort of price, but yeah, I
think the only interesting nuance would be, you know, he
talked about being a journalist but taking hundreds of thousands
of documents and just dumping them uncurated to me, was
highly responsible, and that's the reason I look at him
and go, well, I don't know if you were just
(33:15):
someone out to I don't know what it was, but
that didn't impress me very much.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
Yeah, it's that whole freedom of the press thing, and
there is an important difference. He goes raise a good point,
because there's an important difference between what Julian nos Ange
was doing and what your average journalist does. So people's
various opinions on modern mainstream media and how it works.
There are accountability structures, you have places that you can
(33:42):
complain to, there are ways to hold journalists and media
outlets accountable here in this country. Julianus Ange was not,
and Wiki Leaks not party to any of that.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
Yeah. Yeah, so I think we're all fifty to fifty happy.
He's happy for him, he's free, but not necessarily you know,
the biggest fans. It's interesting the way the media reported it,
because I generally most of the stories seem pretty joyous.
But I said, chatting with our correspondent Murray Olds yesterday
on the Breakfast Show and Murray's Ladies released and all that,
But I said, what's the public split on how they
(34:14):
feel about a Sange and he says, Oh, the Prime
Minister is not going to be have any selfies with
him anytime soon because he's very divisive figure. Polarizing is
the word for today. I think we could say our
panel today's been polarizing for some of our listeners. Anyway. Hey,
by the way, look, I love this story only because
it gives me a chance to talk about one of
my favorite things. So would you guys ever buy a
(34:34):
theme park? Because Lunar Park and Sydney has been listed
for sale for the first time in two decades. To
be honest, two decades doesn't seem a long time in
a park anyway. It's expected to sell for tens of millions.
I've always looked at Luna Park and God, thought, jod it,
do I want to go there? It looks like something
out of the Belove forties or something you have theme
park guy, Frank.
Speaker 6 (34:55):
Not particularly, but it's interesting that you say that because
it opened in nineteen thirty five. I had a look
at some pictures because I've never been there, so I
went and took a look at some pictures, and the
entrance to it just looked like the stuff of nightmares.
You know, if you wanted a mass murder taking place
in a theme park that's the entrance, it would look
exactly like that.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
It looks like we're Chucky the the murderist dollars Chuck
loves Luna Park. What about what about you?
Speaker 5 (35:19):
Are well funny you should mention murders taking place. There's
an incredibly good documentary series on Netflix called Exposed the
Ghost Train Fire, which is about a fire on the
Ghost Train at Luna Park in about the seventies or eighties.
Not murder, but certainly negligence and cover up the tragedy.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
And they're on the Ghost Train.
Speaker 5 (35:40):
Fabulous documentary series. I well, A, I don't have a
spear of tens and millions of dollars. No, B probably
wouldn't want to own an amusement park. But I actually
love the big weird faces at the front. I wouldn't
mind owning them.
Speaker 4 (35:57):
Oh really yeah, I like them outside you.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Because they're on the Melbourne one as well.
Speaker 4 (36:01):
I think that's right. It's Melbourne is well. You can
put them outside in front of your properties. People drive
in and be like, I'm not sure space for dinner. Actually,
the reason I love the story is because somebody reminded me.
In fact, as Francesca Rupken reminded me that if she
won lotto, and I'd be the same. She said, I'd
buy the O House ski Fields because O House ski
Fields are for sale. Then I haven't been sold yet,
(36:22):
and that's where I'm going for a holiday. But imagine
owning your own ski field. I think that'd be good
if you're wealthy enough to own it and just run it,
and I don't know, you might allow a few people
by application to come and ski there in the holidays
and have your friends there. I'd buy a ski field,
Frank a skier.
Speaker 7 (36:38):
Oh look, I might. No, I'm not really a skier.
Speaker 6 (36:40):
But if that's what we're thinking about in terms of
buying a theme park, then maybe, especially if I could
just put a lot of things in there that might
give people a fright as they come around, so they're
not expecting it and you just scare all your friends
when they come into the theme park. And it sounds
like a lunar park with the ghost train fire. Sounds
like the perfect place.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
Now, pop a couple of Mormons at the front. I'm
just joking. Because of the Book of Mormons, what's something
I've been flogging. Are you a scarer?
Speaker 5 (37:06):
I'm not a skier, but I would like to buy
the Chateau to Oh.
Speaker 4 (37:12):
Yes, In fact, we're going to touch on that after
the break. Great segue, because it just heart breaks my
heart to see that building just sitting there. It is
the core for the government to buy. We're going to
talk about that in just a moment. Ten to two
four News Talk s hed B Welcome back to the
(37:36):
Weekend Collective. This is the panel with our Irene gardener
Frank Ritchie. I'm Tim Beverage. Guys, there's been a call you.
You did a beautiful segue to this Irene, because I
do want to buy it. You want to buy the
show Torero. They're talking the Rupe District mayor Western Curtains
calling on the public to sign a petition for the
government to preserve it. Well, that's not going to happen
(37:56):
right now with the budget the way it is. But
it is a tragedy, isn't it. That beautiful old hotel.
Speaker 5 (38:01):
It's a beautiful building and it's got so much amazing history. Yeah,
there must be a way to save it. I mean,
you know, if I won Lotter I'd love to buy it,
but I assume.
Speaker 4 (38:11):
It's I wonder if you'd need more than a power.
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Amount of money. What's about forty million?
Speaker 4 (38:16):
Oh well, not now, it's about five at the moment.
You need to wait for a couple of months. My
mum had holiday and it goes back decades and decades
in the ballroom and the wonderful dining room. But we
stayed there not long before it closed, actually, and it
was actually quite depressing because it was just you could
see or there's not much love here.
Speaker 5 (38:35):
Do you think any New Zealanders who love it, could
we all come together and buy it together?
Speaker 4 (38:40):
Oh? Like we did for that New chum Beach. We
chipped in for New chum Beach. Maybe we needed to
irene get that give a little paid start. Frank, Yeah,
I agree. It's one of those iconic even just photos
of it are iconic. It's one of those images where
if you want to sell New Zealand around the world,
that's an image to.
Speaker 7 (38:58):
Pitch to people. And I believe Doc.
Speaker 6 (39:01):
I don't know if they still are, but at one
point they were spending something like two million dollars year
year on its maintenance. At its best, that was bringing
in something like ten million dollars a year to the
local economy.
Speaker 7 (39:11):
Provided a lot of jobs. It's well worth saving.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
Yeah, exactly. Hey, by the way, somebody texted saying, Tim,
you buy the skifield and keep everyone out. How selfish
I was joking. I love Cale, I love people to companies.
Speaker 7 (39:23):
People take you so sissly, and Tim's not that loaded.
This doesn't pay that well.
Speaker 4 (39:28):
No, I need to. I need to get some business
going there.
Speaker 5 (39:30):
That's that fairy tale, the lonely giant and he's in
his garden.
Speaker 4 (39:34):
I hope I'm not like that. Don't the children in
I tell you, what if the poor lonely giant you
cheer them up with. Unfortunately, you can't do this much
for much longer. Apparently, big newsflash, guys, the chocolate fish
is on the way out. The company has confirmed that
the iconic pro product is on the way out. I
must have met we talk about the chocolate fish. I
haven't eaten one for years. Frank, have you do you
(39:55):
have a chocolate fish? Man?
Speaker 1 (39:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (39:56):
I was the last person in one of my workplaces
to catch COVID and we had a bet that the
last person who ever got it would get a chocolate fish.
But there are better quality chocolate fish out there than Cadbury,
So Cadbury's disappearing from the markets.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
Actually, oh CONTROVERSI what do you wreck? Are your chocolate
fish fan?
Speaker 5 (40:14):
Chocolate fish fan? And you know, maybe Frank's Ryan these
other brands, but it does seem to me like they're
saying they're going to phase it out because it's declining popularity.
But don't you think as soon as people hear that
the popularity will come.
Speaker 4 (40:26):
Back more popular. As a metaphor, I remember, actually, I
remember I was playing golf with back in the day
with on a show is doing, and a friend had
a real meltdown and lost his temper with all of
us because he was playing badly. And I got back
to my car and there was a chocolate fish under
the windscreen and he goes, sorry, mate, it's not you,
It's just me at a bad day. And it was
the perfect perfect thing. So chocolate fish all around. Look
(40:48):
it's time to go, guys, Irene, thank you so much
for coming. Thank you for having me, Frank, Richie, lovely
to see your mate, and we'll catch you a gett.
Speaker 7 (40:56):
Always a pleasure.
Speaker 4 (40:57):
The Property shows.
Speaker 1 (40:58):
Next for more from the Weekend Collective. Listen live to
news Talk ZEDB weekends from three p m. Or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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