I absolutely LOVE the museum! Every time I go along I get excited about going into the 'volcano' house. Although this time the main reason for going was to see the Outrageous Fortune set (totally amazing!) I still managed to visit my favourite part.
If you have been inside the house and watched the video and felt the shakes you will know what I am talking about... Its kinda lame I guess but its fun at the same time. For 5 minutes you get to be a resident in a house that has got to be on Paratai Drive with a killer view of the Auckland Harbour and Rangitoto Island- its not all joy and fun though because as you are watching the news warning of increased volcanic activity in Auckland, steam starts to rise from the water in front of the Island. Suddenly huge amounts of volcanic crap start exploding out of the water and it eventually reaches your house in which time the TV and lights have cut out and then the whole room shakes. After all of this and everything has cleared up you are shown a small volcano has formed in front of Rangitoto and everything is looking pretty desolate but TVNZ still manage to sort their stuff out and air some more news and tell you what has happened!!
So the whole thing seems a little unrealistic, but how can we be sure this wont happen in Auckland? A sign outside the house stated "Not If but When" in regard to a volcano erupting in Auckland....
Why the heck do we live in a city that is riddled with volcanoes? Just the other week scientists discovered another volcano under the inner city suburb of Grafton- I can't help but think maybe there is more?!
I was talking to a friend who is writing a blog on whether we would cope with a volcanic eruption in Auckland and it got me thinking and questioning whether we would?
I have absolutely no idea what to do if a volcano erupts... does anyone else? I always just assumed you are screwed if you happen to be in one. So i did a bit of research and found this US site with tips on what to do if you happen to get stuck near a volcanic eruption: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/volcano/vo_during.shtm and another site hints at staying inside... All I can think of with that is when Mt Tarawera erupted in 1886 people got trapped in their houses because of the lahar?
Kind of a dreary blog this time round... but I think it is important that we think and talk about it if what I saw in the museum is true and its a matter of when rather than if!!
ALSO, I think it is awesome that Auckland has such a cool museum. Its something free and entertaining... and if you don't know about the volcano house I was talking about then you should really go check it out (also if you like Outrageous Fortune you should definitely check that out!!)
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Here comes HOP
Wow! So Auckland is making preparations for becoming a better, more functional city in terms of its public transport. About time. Every other city i have been to has an integrated ticket system that gets you onto multiple forms of transport. It is the most amazing thing when you are a visitor to the city but also imagine how convenient it would be not having to think about whether or not your card works on this bus, that ferry or that train.
When I was in London last year I came across the "oyster card" which is a 'smart card' that can be used on all the buses, trains and tubes throughout the region. AMAZING! I also discovered a similar pass in Sydney, although this was simply an all access day pass it was still an incredible thing for myself as a tourist to have.
The HOP is Auckland's new 'smart card' that one can only assume is being released in time for the rugby world cup to make the city more accessible as well as more user friendly for the influx of tourists we are going to receive (especially now that we will be getting the games from Christchurch too!).
Our Minister of Transport, Stephen Joyce has been quoted saying "integrated ticketing is an important part of establishing a more efficient, effective and user-friendly public transport system." (TVNZ, 04 April)
All I can say is it is about it was established in Auckland and eventually New Zealand! Bring on a better system that is reliable and efficient!
All going to plan, the Hop will end up being a nationwide integrated ticketing system that makes public transport more affordable and justified- the same system across the country will introduce some continuity throughout the cities and make life not only easier for us as kiwis but for all those tourists that visit here every year.
I can't help but think about the system going out to where I live in Howick... sure a change in price may encourage a few more people to ride the bus towards the city centre BUT the main issue is the length of time it takes to travel. The Hop card will not solve this and I feel as though the government is overlooking this as an issue. Areas surrounding Howick such as Flat Bush are one of the major places of growth in Auckland at the moment with a huge amount of migrants moving into the area every year. Should we not be also focusing on the infrastructure for public transport as well as an integrated ticketing system to make it truly effective?
The main reason for London's oyster card being so effective and convenient is because the card is useful to everyone and the entire city is actually connected by an extensive public transport network.
Perhaps the Minister and the government should be thinking about things like bus lanes from the outer city suburbs to improve the speed of public transport before they start talking about making an integrated ticking system that will make the whole system convenient and efficient.
If you want to read more about the Hop smart card check out this article
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hopping-buses-get-easier-smartcard-4099602
When I was in London last year I came across the "oyster card" which is a 'smart card' that can be used on all the buses, trains and tubes throughout the region. AMAZING! I also discovered a similar pass in Sydney, although this was simply an all access day pass it was still an incredible thing for myself as a tourist to have.
The HOP is Auckland's new 'smart card' that one can only assume is being released in time for the rugby world cup to make the city more accessible as well as more user friendly for the influx of tourists we are going to receive (especially now that we will be getting the games from Christchurch too!).
Our Minister of Transport, Stephen Joyce has been quoted saying "integrated ticketing is an important part of establishing a more efficient, effective and user-friendly public transport system." (TVNZ, 04 April)
All I can say is it is about it was established in Auckland and eventually New Zealand! Bring on a better system that is reliable and efficient!
All going to plan, the Hop will end up being a nationwide integrated ticketing system that makes public transport more affordable and justified- the same system across the country will introduce some continuity throughout the cities and make life not only easier for us as kiwis but for all those tourists that visit here every year.
I can't help but think about the system going out to where I live in Howick... sure a change in price may encourage a few more people to ride the bus towards the city centre BUT the main issue is the length of time it takes to travel. The Hop card will not solve this and I feel as though the government is overlooking this as an issue. Areas surrounding Howick such as Flat Bush are one of the major places of growth in Auckland at the moment with a huge amount of migrants moving into the area every year. Should we not be also focusing on the infrastructure for public transport as well as an integrated ticketing system to make it truly effective?
The main reason for London's oyster card being so effective and convenient is because the card is useful to everyone and the entire city is actually connected by an extensive public transport network.
Perhaps the Minister and the government should be thinking about things like bus lanes from the outer city suburbs to improve the speed of public transport before they start talking about making an integrated ticking system that will make the whole system convenient and efficient.
If you want to read more about the Hop smart card check out this article
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/hopping-buses-get-easier-smartcard-4099602
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
The Cloud
Positive Rant this time :)
I was reading the herald today and saw an article on the construction of 'The Cloud' on the Auckland Waterfront at Queens Wharf- I won't lie I got pretty excited.
Personally I can't wait for the rugby world cup- its going to be such an awesome time for New Zealand (and heres hoping the All Blacks!!). Its going to provide us with massive opportunities to expand and improve our city. The cloud development is only one of the developments being initiated for the world cup!!
In class today we were talking about pursuing economic development policies that result in broad benefits- so beyond what can initially be seen and looking into the future and seeing how the investment will benefit in the long run. According to the article in the herald this venue will be used for "concerts and festival events, as a 'party central' fan zone during RWC matches" (NZ Herald, 21/03/11)
For years I have been driving along our waterfront- noting its enormous potential to be a stunning waterfront that could be a place of socialising and events but then the image of the ports and tank farms gets in the way. I can't help but think that maybe the development of the cloud is the first step to the renewal of Auckland waterfront and the beginning of a more beautiful Auckland city. Heres hoping anyway!
http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/10/25/party-central-will-be-the-cloud/
This link shows you a heap of photos of what is currently in the site/being demolished now (its an out of date article) and what the Cloud will be like.
I am so amped about the rugby world cup and this has just got me even more excited- It is good to see the government is investing in something that will increase the aesthetics of our waterfront and continue to be utilised POST-world cup!!
I was reading the herald today and saw an article on the construction of 'The Cloud' on the Auckland Waterfront at Queens Wharf- I won't lie I got pretty excited.
Personally I can't wait for the rugby world cup- its going to be such an awesome time for New Zealand (and heres hoping the All Blacks!!). Its going to provide us with massive opportunities to expand and improve our city. The cloud development is only one of the developments being initiated for the world cup!!
In class today we were talking about pursuing economic development policies that result in broad benefits- so beyond what can initially be seen and looking into the future and seeing how the investment will benefit in the long run. According to the article in the herald this venue will be used for "concerts and festival events, as a 'party central' fan zone during RWC matches" (NZ Herald, 21/03/11)
For years I have been driving along our waterfront- noting its enormous potential to be a stunning waterfront that could be a place of socialising and events but then the image of the ports and tank farms gets in the way. I can't help but think that maybe the development of the cloud is the first step to the renewal of Auckland waterfront and the beginning of a more beautiful Auckland city. Heres hoping anyway!
http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2010/10/25/party-central-will-be-the-cloud/
This link shows you a heap of photos of what is currently in the site/being demolished now (its an out of date article) and what the Cloud will be like.
I am so amped about the rugby world cup and this has just got me even more excited- It is good to see the government is investing in something that will increase the aesthetics of our waterfront and continue to be utilised POST-world cup!!
Thursday, 17 March 2011
A very long bus ride
Today I sat on the bus for an hour and a half to get from university in the city to home in Howick- more to the point it took half an hour just to get outside of New market!! I don't know about anyone else but I can think of a lot of things i would rather do with my time!
It is no wonder that Auckland is dominated by private transport and 5 seated cars with only 1 person in them. There is a huge lack of incentives for using public transport- if I had of driven, sure i would have had to pay for parking but I would have got home a lot quicker and saved myself a whole lot of time!
To make matters worse, the quality of the service is average to say the least. It was pouring down with rain outside and you would think being in a bus you would be safe from getting wet but apparently not. The air conditioning filters are great at letting the rain come into the bus- so not only was I wasting my time sitting on a bus for ages, I was also getting dripped on!
Auckland needs to implement a system that makes the option of public transport the more preferable and quicker option rather than continuously spending millions of dollars on a private system to simply encourage a greater use of cars!! Consider London, most people do not even own a car because of the amazing public transport system and they have zones that you have to pay to drive through. This reduces the congestion within the city whilst enabling an efficient public system that people can rely on to get them to where they need to go in a short amount of time!
I know that Auckland is on no way near the same scale as London, but I think it is the idea that counts. The government invests heavily in this system and therefore people use it. Its an amazing example of the disorganised and organised cities in which the disorganised city relies on self-funding roads with road user charges and the organised city relies on self funding public transport that sees the user pays then leading to a much better system than the disorganised city.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
The Joys of Auckland
Although this blog is meant to be what I hate about Auckland, I must confess that deep down I actually love this city and I am fully aware of its absolute beauty (besides the tank farms and ports). Despite all the aspects of the city that I believe are a total fail, they must be doing something right for it to be New Zealand's leading city!!
To live in an area with rugged west coast surf beaches, calm northern/eastern white sand beaches, sleeping volcanoes that provide amazing views and a multitude of islands as well as being able to live in a quarter-acre section 30 minutes drive from the city centre- is to say the least.. pretty epic!
However, throughout my blog I am going to be having a rant about how things have been done badly and possible ideas for improvement to make Auckland an even better place to live- maybe then I will decide that I could live here for good rather than searching around the globe for somewhere to call home.
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