The Chamber of Commerce is urging the Tauranga City Council to fund and back the community wish for a big screen on the waterfront for the Rugby World Cup.
Chamber chief executive Max Mason says focusing on the cost and not the value is a mistake.
'While it is understandable the council has to cut costs in the current economic environment, there is a danger of becoming obsessed with small amounts at the expense of the bigger picture,” says Max.
'I think that is what has happened here and councillors are misreading the public mood.
'Nationwide, council-funded public areas for rugby viewing have been hugely successful so it's a low risk decision.
'Tauranga citizens are proud of their city, and when the Prime Minister expresses surprise that that the fifth largest city has no public area to view and celebrate the Rugby World Cup, we all feel embarrassed.”
Max says it is not too late, and if council backed their community and made up the shortfall for the screens, their actions would be seen in a positive light.
18 comments
Best ask your members
Posted on 06-10-2011 12:47 | By DaKiwiBean
I would suggest that before the Chamber supports any such expense, that you should ask your members. Our business had been tracking quietly along at around 24% increase in sales turnover for the year, come Sept we have seen a 36% drop in revenue. If you were to ask the businesses in the general I'm sure you would be getting a very similar answer. The, if any disposable income people have had has already gone on the RWC. An example of a family of 4 from Whakatane attending the 3 games in Rotorua, would have very little change out of $1,000. The RWC moves after this weekend to being an Auckland only based event. Even the businesses in Auckland are struggling . It's far too late to do anything, and it's not the council's responsibility to prop up business by providing an entertainment zone. Let those on the strand fork out, as they are the only ones who may benefit. And I say May?
Bigger picture
Posted on 06-10-2011 13:02 | By Ron
Max said:"there is a danger of becoming obsessed with small amounts at the expense of the bigger picture.” I guess the bigger picture will be on those bigger screens!
Chamber Should Pay Up
Posted on 06-10-2011 14:04 | By Jitter
If Max Mason is so keen to have a big screen for the RWC then the Chamber of Commerce should front up with the money. It is not up to the TCC (ratepayers) to pay for this but relevant sports clubs and the business community. If the drop in business income is as bad as we are led to believe then forget it. The CoC should front up or shut up as they get enough money from ratepayers as it is.
PAWN OF TCC
Posted on 06-10-2011 17:19 | By PLONKER
They get funding ex TCC annually so the opinion of this lot is far from clean, on top of that Crosby-ites riddle the place. handly a clean sheet in the place as a result.
Council RWC spending
Posted on 06-10-2011 18:24 | By Rayna
Council said it was reluctant to spend more than $10,000 of its RWC allocation on a screen. What was it planning to do with the remainder of the money supposed allocated to the RWC Rayna
Businesses can pay.
Posted on 06-10-2011 18:55 | By dgk
I would have thought the Chamber would be busy urging their member businesses to front up on this so-called successful idea. Or maybe it really isn't as financially succesful as they make it out to be.....
we us them
Posted on 06-10-2011 19:12 | By traceybjammet
for goodness sake Tauranga is one city and not a very large one at that. Its certainly not going to get any bigger or prosper quickly when everybody is to busy thinking inside the square
PAWN OF TCC
Posted on 06-10-2011 19:47 | By PLONKER
They are paid money by TCC ever year so they are going to say anything TCC want to keep that coming.
Whine whine whine its like a cracked record.
Posted on 06-10-2011 19:57 | By Investigator
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce is as usual completely out of its tree if for one moment it seriously believes the Tauranga community support TCC ratepayer funding of the big TV screen for RWC final rugby games - on Sunlive poll 85% YES 85% opposed it.If commercial interests like cafes bars & pubs want to completely fund the big TV they will have everyone's blessing.Tauranga citizens have no reason to feel embarrassed after all the controlling elements of TCC Council are those nurtured promoted and supported by CC at last Council elections.Being sycophantic comes with hooks and a price.Costs are irrelevant to CC they seem to exist on handouts and bludging not to mention the whinging and I want mentality.
Max Mason should feel embarrassed!!
Posted on 07-10-2011 00:59 | By xenasdad
Max Mason should feel very embarrassed indeed at urging the TCC to spend RATES money on such a totally unnecessary item. It confirms my view that the Chamber of Commerce lives in another world to such an extent that they actually believe there is such a thing as a "free Lunch". (Well I suppose it is if you are using someone else's money). REAL WORLD reality Max, sit in front of your OWN bloody TV, and get your hand out of my pocket!!
Not Me
Posted on 07-10-2011 09:09 | By Zara
I dont feel embarased.I just feel angry when they keep putting their hand in my pocket without asking !.
Yawn
Posted on 07-10-2011 13:25 | By earlybird
Here's a classic example of downtown business owners being able to use their money to put an attraction in place to draw people into the downtown zone & into their business premises so they can make money. Did they take the opportunity to do so - NO they did not. Now their leader, Max Mason, is saying that our Council should spend a 'small amount of money' to do what they didn't see as a golden opportunity. Sorry Max, but if you want me to spend my money in 'your' business, you must make the investment NOT me. Unbelievable mindset.
Hands in everybody elses pockets
Posted on 07-10-2011 16:01 | By KAMIKAZE
Yes Mr Mason put your CC money where your mouth is and stop troughing out of the public bowl.
@ KRAZY KAZI
Posted on 08-10-2011 12:34 | By YOGI
No mate, TCC pay money to CC, so why should we agree to anything different for CC than TCC, either way it is rates money, either way it is our pocket, don't fall for that little game of "SMOKE & MIRRORS" so easy, that is what they want you to believe. In fact the Strand busiensses want to do this but officials always interfer and stuff it up so not economic to do it you should read before that TCC cost $48,000, Business cost $7,500. Do you see the difference here?
TO MANY BEACHED WHALES AROUND
Posted on 09-10-2011 11:18 | By PLONKER
Free money for everyone everywhere seems to be the normal manner of things and the more TCC money one sees rolling through the tainted the view of the recipiant
YES PLONKER
Posted on 10-10-2011 17:53 | By ANNA KISSED
Seems the opinions stated and of course exposure received depend totally on money received.
FUNNY THINGS HAPPEN ON THE WAY TO THE FINAL
Posted on 16-10-2011 17:45 | By Investigator
One bad semifinal down perhaps an unthinkable second semi disaster to follow and then a final that no one has any interest in . Start praying !!
CHAMBER SUPPORTS SCREEN?
Posted on 26-10-2011 14:46 | By SCOTT NUFFIN4U
With our money of course, from TCC from rates, she'll be right mate, just keep racking up the bills.
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