March 25, 2025 • 9 mins
Tonight on The Huddle, Ali Jones from Red PR and Nick Leggett from Infrastructure New Zealand joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
How do we feel about taxpayer funding of a new Auckland stadium? Can we afford this?
New electorate boundaries have been drawn up by the electoral commission. What could this mean for prospective voters?
Ali Jones has been copping some backlash for suggesting there are too many disability car parks. She's on the defence - what do we make of this?
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Allie Jones, Red pr good evening, Alie, gooday, how are
you right? Good? Thank you? And Nick Legget's with us
to Infrastruction New Zealand. Hey Nick, hello, So how do
we feel about taxpayer funding for a revamped a bit
of lipstick on Eden Park to the tune of one
hundred million dollars? This is what they have proposed. Auckland
(00:20):
councils get to decide. They're going to decide on Thursday, Ali,
how do you feel?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Well?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Look, I'm stoked about our own what do you call it? Stadium?
Thank you? That's the word I'm looking for, which is
due to open next year. And I think one of
the things that a number of people have been saying
for a while is, because of course these things always
create conversations and arguments and disagreements, is that it's never
going to get me cheaper, right, So whatever the decision is,
I think it needs to be made. One of the
(00:48):
things that I've noticed just reading up a bit about this,
because you know, I don't really care about what's built
in Auckland, Ryan, is that the transport is a real
issue here. And you tell me this, but apparently there
are limited transport options and limited by the Kingsland station.
I do know where that is and I have used it,
and I would have thought that a stadium in the
(01:09):
middle of the city is the way to go. Isn't
that going to bring in many economic benefits?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, although we do have the supposedly we do have
the City rail Link coming which should help, which should
help with with that situation. But the other issue here
is the one hundred million dollars from the government that
they're wanting that.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, well, I mean these things are expensive.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I agree with Ali though, that make it a decision
and get it going.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
But I do care about what goes on in Auckland.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Such a massive part of our economy and a massive
part of our country, so they do need to get
this right. And also I think it I think being
connected to public transport and other transport, you know, you
think about connection to the shore, new connection hopefully to
the North Shore, another harbor bridge option or tunnel, and also,
(02:02):
as you say, the city rail link.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's really important this is central. It's also really important that.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We don't just see it as a stadium in isolation.
What can go around it, Places for people to work,
places for people to shop, places for people to live.
We've got to stop thinking about these things as sort
of singular pieces of infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
It's about what can you grow around it?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
And yeah, look, I'm city center all the way, and
we've got to build the sort of connections that we
need so people can get to it and get around it.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You are so right, though, Nick, about changing the mindset
about it just being a stadium. That was a big
part of what we did in christ Church. So you know,
we didn't even use the words stadium. We use the
phrase multi use arena or multi use stadium. And now
they're calling it a multi functional arena. And you're absolutely right.
It cannot be a place that you know, lights up
(02:56):
when there's an event and then dies when there's nothing happening.
That's just not the way to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Hey, I've seem to remember a figure of about six
hundred million dollars for Takaha. Is that on budget? And
how far far how far away is it from opening?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, on budget, on time, six hundred and eighty three
million all up, and that was with government contribution as well.
So the council put four hundred and fifty three in
and government put in two hundred and thirty and that
came from a number of different funds and things after
the earthquakes. They started building it in April twenty twenty
two and it is on track to be open in
April twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
That sounds like a steal to me right now. I'm
just reading about in Brisbane, they've announced today their Olympic
Stadium opening twenty thirty two. The cost is three point
eight billion Australian for a sixty thousand capacity.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
But twenty twenty two it started, and you know how
construction costs have gone up, so you know, with those
sorts of figures, it's not unreasonable to expect that kind
of cost.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, good point. Ellie Jones read pr nic leg Get
back in just a few moments and we're going to
pick Allie's brain about some quite controversial comments on disability
car parks. Allie Jones and Nick Leggett on the huddle tonight. Nick,
you were obviously former mayor of Puttidor and some big
boundary electric boundary changes have taken place which will affect Mana,
(04:13):
which is where Pottidor is. Give people a sense of
what the change means for you know, you your average voter.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
Well, yes, I mean Mana was formed in nineteen ninety
six when MMP came on the scene, and it was
great because we finally had an electorate that covered the
whole of put into a city which is now a
city of approaching sixty thousand people. Not insignificant, and actually
I think it helped bring the city together because Mana,
(04:44):
well Putty door is very diverse, lots of different socioeconomic groups,
lots of different cultural and ethnic groups, and I think
we've been more together as a result of having one electra.
So I'm not wrapped at This takes us back to
first pass the post days when the northern part of
the city went up to Carpody Carpety Coast has its
(05:05):
own electric now with this new bit of put it on,
and obviously the or Hardy electorate really gets sort of.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Split three three ways.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
But it goes to South, it goes to Wellington Central,
and then quite a big bit goes into Mana. So look,
I've got no problem with unifying North Wellington and put
it on. I mean, I'm a big fan of amalgamation
in the region. We only need one council here, so
you know, perhaps that might bring things along there.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
But yeah, so sad for me, but I sort of understand.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
You know, Wellington of the region is not growing like
other parts of the country, so we've lost an electric seat.
That's the consequence people when when you don't grow your
population and you don't grow your economy and you don't
get it together as a region, you lose stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And we've got to do better there.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Ellie, I want to talk to you about the disability
car parks thing. So is how's you?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
It's been challenging. Thanks for asking. My god, the pearl
necklace clutching and outcry was just extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Ryan.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
I don't know what you understood from from what was reported?
Why was it even a story? What I said was,
does anyone ever see these five or so car parks
mobility car parks along Rolston av in christ Church? Does
anyone ever see them used? Because you know, I'm down
there a bit. I cycle down there just quietly and
go to the Loomier Cinema and the Art Center and
(06:31):
the gardens, and I never or very very rarely see
any vehicle in there at all. So I just posted it.
Does anyone ever see it? It's crazy if they're not used, well,
I've been told to resign. My behavior is appalling. I've
been despicable, behaved in an entitled and privileged way. And
the echo chamber pylon was what you'd expect on something
(06:53):
like Facebook. So what I did was engage with everyone.
I don't do the post and ghost things. So aged
and I repeated back what people were accusing me of.
So are you saying that elective members should not ask
questions about et cetera? Set do you know? I had
people just not even bother responding. So they have a poke,
they have a go, and then they just don't engage
(07:15):
and it's just cowardly.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Really, did you get an answer to your question? Did?
I mean? It has anyone's yes?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Right?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
So what is it?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
And it was great and it was great. The answer
was yes. So I had one person come on and
say no, I'd never seen anyone in them, and then
I had about half a dozen to eight come on
and say yes I use them, or yes, my husband
and I use them when we go to the gardens.
Another woman said yes, and we need more at the
hospital because I can never find one there. And so
(07:44):
it was actually a really good conversation on my page
until we got these bloody pearl necklace handbag clutching, you know,
outraged people just turning it into a political storm that
it didn't need to. So yes, it was useful.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
I think. I Look, I'm with you, Nick. I don't
know about you, but I'm with Ali. You should be
able to ask questions like that. You know, it doesn't
matter how controversial it might seem. You need to be
able to ask some basic questions about whether a city
is functioning well or not.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
I'm completely with Ali that the job of an elected representative.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
We want to ask more questions in this country. There's
too much head nodding. Now.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
I don't know whether what the answer to Ali's question is,
it doesn't matter. The principle is that you're elected to
ask questions on half of your community, and there's no
You shouldn't assume any agenda from a question.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
You should just take out at face value and answer it.
So Ali, congratulations. We need more people like you in
public office, and all power to you.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
How's that does work?
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I'm going to yeah, I'm going to run for there now. Thanks.
That's awesome, all right.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Ellie Jones Red pared Nicleiget Infrastructure New Zealand on the
huddle tonight. Thanks guys for more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Listen live to news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
Allie Jones, Red pr good evening, Alie, gooday, how are
you right? Good? Thank you? And Nick Legget's with us
to Infrastruction New Zealand. Hey Nick, hello, So how do
we feel about taxpayer funding for a revamped a bit
of lipstick on Eden Park to the tune of one
hundred million dollars? This is what they have proposed. Auckland
(00:20):
councils get to decide. They're going to decide on Thursday, Ali,
how do you feel?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Well?
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Look, I'm stoked about our own what do you call it? Stadium?
Thank you? That's the word I'm looking for, which is
due to open next year. And I think one of
the things that a number of people have been saying
for a while is, because of course these things always
create conversations and arguments and disagreements, is that it's never
going to get me cheaper, right, So whatever the decision is,
I think it needs to be made. One of the
(00:48):
things that I've noticed just reading up a bit about this,
because you know, I don't really care about what's built
in Auckland, Ryan, is that the transport is a real
issue here. And you tell me this, but apparently there
are limited transport options and limited by the Kingsland station.
I do know where that is and I have used it,
and I would have thought that a stadium in the
(01:09):
middle of the city is the way to go. Isn't
that going to bring in many economic benefits?
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, although we do have the supposedly we do have
the City rail Link coming which should help, which should
help with with that situation. But the other issue here
is the one hundred million dollars from the government that
they're wanting that.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Yeah, well, I mean these things are expensive.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I agree with Ali though, that make it a decision
and get it going.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
But I do care about what goes on in Auckland.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Such a massive part of our economy and a massive
part of our country, so they do need to get
this right. And also I think it I think being
connected to public transport and other transport, you know, you
think about connection to the shore, new connection hopefully to
the North Shore, another harbor bridge option or tunnel, and also,
(02:02):
as you say, the city rail link.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
It's really important this is central. It's also really important that.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
We don't just see it as a stadium in isolation.
What can go around it, Places for people to work,
places for people to shop, places for people to live.
We've got to stop thinking about these things as sort
of singular pieces of infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
It's about what can you grow around it?
Speaker 4 (02:24):
And yeah, look, I'm city center all the way, and
we've got to build the sort of connections that we
need so people can get to it and get around it.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
You are so right, though, Nick, about changing the mindset
about it just being a stadium. That was a big
part of what we did in christ Church. So you know,
we didn't even use the words stadium. We use the
phrase multi use arena or multi use stadium. And now
they're calling it a multi functional arena. And you're absolutely right.
It cannot be a place that you know, lights up
(02:56):
when there's an event and then dies when there's nothing happening.
That's just not the way to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Hey, I've seem to remember a figure of about six
hundred million dollars for Takaha. Is that on budget? And
how far far how far away is it from opening?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, on budget, on time, six hundred and eighty three
million all up, and that was with government contribution as well.
So the council put four hundred and fifty three in
and government put in two hundred and thirty and that
came from a number of different funds and things after
the earthquakes. They started building it in April twenty twenty
two and it is on track to be open in
April twenty twenty six.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
That sounds like a steal to me right now. I'm
just reading about in Brisbane, they've announced today their Olympic
Stadium opening twenty thirty two. The cost is three point
eight billion Australian for a sixty thousand capacity.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
But twenty twenty two it started, and you know how
construction costs have gone up, so you know, with those
sorts of figures, it's not unreasonable to expect that kind
of cost.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Yeah, good point. Ellie Jones read pr nic leg Get
back in just a few moments and we're going to
pick Allie's brain about some quite controversial comments on disability
car parks. Allie Jones and Nick Leggett on the huddle tonight. Nick,
you were obviously former mayor of Puttidor and some big
boundary electric boundary changes have taken place which will affect Mana,
(04:13):
which is where Pottidor is. Give people a sense of
what the change means for you know, you your average voter.
Speaker 4 (04:22):
Well, yes, I mean Mana was formed in nineteen ninety
six when MMP came on the scene, and it was
great because we finally had an electorate that covered the
whole of put into a city which is now a
city of approaching sixty thousand people. Not insignificant, and actually
I think it helped bring the city together because Mana,
(04:44):
well Putty door is very diverse, lots of different socioeconomic groups,
lots of different cultural and ethnic groups, and I think
we've been more together as a result of having one electra.
So I'm not wrapped at This takes us back to
first pass the post days when the northern part of
the city went up to Carpody Carpety Coast has its
(05:05):
own electric now with this new bit of put it on,
and obviously the or Hardy electorate really gets sort of.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Split three three ways.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
But it goes to South, it goes to Wellington Central,
and then quite a big bit goes into Mana. So look,
I've got no problem with unifying North Wellington and put
it on. I mean, I'm a big fan of amalgamation
in the region. We only need one council here, so
you know, perhaps that might bring things along there.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
But yeah, so sad for me, but I sort of understand.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
You know, Wellington of the region is not growing like
other parts of the country, so we've lost an electric seat.
That's the consequence people when when you don't grow your
population and you don't grow your economy and you don't
get it together as a region, you lose stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
And we've got to do better there.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Ellie, I want to talk to you about the disability
car parks thing. So is how's you?
Speaker 3 (06:01):
It's been challenging. Thanks for asking. My god, the pearl
necklace clutching and outcry was just extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Ryan.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
I don't know what you understood from from what was reported?
Why was it even a story? What I said was,
does anyone ever see these five or so car parks
mobility car parks along Rolston av in christ Church? Does
anyone ever see them used? Because you know, I'm down
there a bit. I cycle down there just quietly and
go to the Loomier Cinema and the Art Center and
(06:31):
the gardens, and I never or very very rarely see
any vehicle in there at all. So I just posted it.
Does anyone ever see it? It's crazy if they're not used, well,
I've been told to resign. My behavior is appalling. I've
been despicable, behaved in an entitled and privileged way. And
the echo chamber pylon was what you'd expect on something
(06:53):
like Facebook. So what I did was engage with everyone.
I don't do the post and ghost things. So aged
and I repeated back what people were accusing me of.
So are you saying that elective members should not ask
questions about et cetera? Set do you know? I had
people just not even bother responding. So they have a poke,
they have a go, and then they just don't engage
(07:15):
and it's just cowardly.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Really, did you get an answer to your question? Did?
I mean? It has anyone's yes?
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Right?
Speaker 1 (07:22):
So what is it?
Speaker 3 (07:23):
And it was great and it was great. The answer
was yes. So I had one person come on and
say no, I'd never seen anyone in them, and then
I had about half a dozen to eight come on
and say yes I use them, or yes, my husband
and I use them when we go to the gardens.
Another woman said yes, and we need more at the
hospital because I can never find one there. And so
(07:44):
it was actually a really good conversation on my page
until we got these bloody pearl necklace handbag clutching, you know,
outraged people just turning it into a political storm that
it didn't need to. So yes, it was useful.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
I think. I Look, I'm with you, Nick. I don't
know about you, but I'm with Ali. You should be
able to ask questions like that. You know, it doesn't
matter how controversial it might seem. You need to be
able to ask some basic questions about whether a city
is functioning well or not.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
I'm completely with Ali that the job of an elected representative.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
We want to ask more questions in this country. There's
too much head nodding. Now.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
I don't know whether what the answer to Ali's question is,
it doesn't matter. The principle is that you're elected to
ask questions on half of your community, and there's no
You shouldn't assume any agenda from a question.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
You should just take out at face value and answer it.
So Ali, congratulations. We need more people like you in
public office, and all power to you.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
How's that does work?
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I'm going to yeah, I'm going to run for there now. Thanks.
That's awesome, all right.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
Ellie Jones Red pared Nicleiget Infrastructure New Zealand on the
huddle tonight. Thanks guys for more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive.
Listen live to news talks it'd be from four pm weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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