Cloud on our country's horizon

Why is there a cloud being built on my city's waterfront? Why does a temporary tent built for partying have a $9.8 million dollar price tag? Why do I, a ratepayer and proud rugby-loather, have to foot the bill?

I can't answers those questions but I do know one thing. The Cloud, formally known as Party Central, is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.

Party Central is where rugby fans from New Zealand and around the globe can go during the Rugby World Cup. In a nutshell it is a long, white sock-shaped tent on the Auckland waterfront.

A temporary tent costing $9.8 million being erected for elated rugby fans to celebrate their team's victory or drown their sorrows after a loss. Footing the bill are the taxpayers, ratepayers and citizens of New Zealand, whether rugby fans or not.

It seems like every night on Campbell Live I see stories about the people of Christchurch living in dangerous houses without sewerage and sometimes power, waiting for the Government to help them. Whether it's temporary housing or surveying the damage, every little bit helps.

Don't you think using taxes to help the people of your own country is more important then spending it on a tent used by mostly overseas travellers? Eventually they will leave but the people of Christchurch will still be there, fighting and waiting to be assisted.

I'm always hearing about how terrible New Zealand's drinking culture is. How adults set bad examples for children and how drinking is glorified in shows teenagers watch like MTV's Jersey Shore.

Yet it seems to be okay to build a place designed for people to party and drink to get drunk. It seems hypocritical of the Government and council to ask parents to set better examples for their kids when they go and build a glorified nightclub on the waterfront of our biggest city.

We all remember the depression New Zealand was in after the All Blacks choked and dropped out of the last Rugby World Cup. It is almost a sin to suggest such an event might repeat itself. What would the scene be then at Party Central?

Recently in Vancouver a riot erupted after the city's beloved Canucks went down to the Boston Bruins in the final game of ice hockey's Stanley Cup. The distress caused fans to flip cars and ignite anything in sight.

Imagine 200 loyal All Blacks fans who wear their hearts on their sleeves, gathered at Party Central to watch the semifinal against the Wallabies, one of their greatest rugby rivals. After a few drinks from the bar they are all on edge as the All Blacks trail 12-15 with five minutes left on the clock.

As the final whistle sounds and the disappointment of yet another world cup failure sets in, an elated Aussie fan roars "chokers".

The place erupts in a big brawl. The consequences of another world cup defeat could be catastrophic in a place like Party Central with intoxicated, angry and frustrated adults.

Is this what we want? A place built in "100% Pure" New Zealand specifically for intoxication, partying and setting your self new court dates?

Do we want to be seen as a country that spends $9.8 million on a temporary nightclub before we help our own citizens rebuild their lives and homes?

While the new sock-shaped Party Central may be an eyesore, on the bright side we will always have the 10-storey high posters of Dan Carter in his Jockeys to feast our eyes on.

Olivia Mann, Year 11, St Cuthbert's College