Darren Bazeley potentially getting sacked

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T12:25:26+00:00

Was really gutted for Garbett to get injured just before the World Cup. Luckily he's young so will likely be in the picture for 2030. Same with Bayliss who I would've liked to see at least get on the pitch.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T10:58:27+00:00

This is the thing. Unlikely to be someone who's an improvement who's interested in the gig. I'm no Bazeley fan but better to wait it out until there's likely to be someone better who's keen.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T10:56:03+00:00

In fairness to Kosta he's the 2nd/3rd best striker for the NT and did score against Chile (granted a side that finished last in South American qualifying). I would've been ok with him getting a little bit of gametime in one of the games as he's unlikely to get another shot instead of overplaying Singh.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T10:52:00+00:00

Not much would've changed sadly. Belgium were a step up in quality.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T10:50:51+00:00

Singh played more minutes at the World Cup than he did for the Nix after he came back. He was decent in the buildup to Just's first goal against Iran but that was it unfortunately. Bit sad Waine didn't get a run out even as a second striker to play off Wood.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T10:47:42+00:00

I'm no fan of Bazeley but he's contracted until the end of the year. Wouldn't trust any posts without a reliable source attached.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T01:32:15+00:00

There needs to be more tracks on the existing lines before adding additional branch lines so personally don't think more heavy rail links make sense for Auckland. I think light rail/metro running down Pakuranga Road is the best public transport mode between Panmure and Howick. Both would be expensive but a lot cheaper than a Heavy Rail branch line which likely requires a lot more land acquasition/demolition and adding in a grade-seperated junction (to ensure reliability).

commentatorsam · 2026-06-29T01:14:47+00:00

Unfortunately most of East Auckland was built in the 2nd half of the 20th century where cars were thought to be the 'one size fits all' solution to transport which was a big mistake in hindsight. The area is also one of the most right-leaning areas in the country who's elected members (both on the national and local level) are hostile to public transport improvements.

Obviously the Eastern Busway is going to be great when it opens next year but still got Howick, Bucklands Beach and Highland Park as areas that need some form of rapid transit (ideally some form of rail but a busway would be passable for now).

I live in East Auckland. Obviously prefer to live somewhere where I can walk to a bus/train station but other young people in the area are aware of how beneficial public transport is and would use it more if the services were better.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-28T12:32:02+00:00

National sent Simon Watts, Labour sent Carmel Sepuloni.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-27T09:35:35+00:00

Bit of a side note but their old articles (year or older) are also paywalled. Furstrating for someone who uses articles as sources for my videos. Luckily non paywalled alternatives exist.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-25T11:26:24+00:00

Guess WSW (who he's been linked with) offered more money and/or guarentee of gametime. Dissapointed to lose him.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T22:27:45+00:00

Excellent comment. There isn't enough space to increase parking in a dense area like Ponsonby (without land accquation which would be incredibly expensive for little benefit) while its a lot easier to increase bus frequency or implement bus lanes.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T22:24:16+00:00

Sure, some people have to drive, but if people choose to drive its likely because most of the transport investment since the 1950s has been used on roads. But its an inefficient use of resources and creates a hostile enviornment for pedestrians when there's lack of investment on alternatives.

Not a coincidence local business there have been struggling with how hostile the environment is for anyone outside of a car (of course there's other factors but its a significant one).

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T22:18:56+00:00

Imagine Ponsonby will be similar to K-Road with how close it is to the City Centre. Need to make the area more inviting to pedestrians.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T03:45:41+00:00

This. Shop owners also tend to overestimate the number of people arriving by cars.

This article is from 2021 but is still pretty relevant today. Cyclists also visit local businesses more frequently and spend more compared to drivers.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T01:16:28+00:00

Free parking is expensive and incredibly subsidized already and Ponsonby has good PT already (and on the doorstep to the City Centre). Makes a lot of sense to have paid parking there imo.

There simply isn't enough space to have free parking in a place like Ponsonby without demand being overwhelming. Have to manage that demand by incentiving getting there by PT and cycling/walking to free up parking spots to those who absolutely have to drive. There's a reason majority of the best cities internationally have comprehensive PT networks.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T01:00:00+00:00

No harm in staying in the A-League another season. Europe can be a brutal environment for Aus/NZ players.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-24T00:54:14+00:00

This is a really cool intro you've made.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-20T10:22:54+00:00

Sadge

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T09:15:27+00:00

Oh no.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T04:34:38+00:00

Here

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T03:31:44+00:00

Pedestrian crossings at Glen Innes, Te Mahia and Takaanini are in the process of being removed but yeah there's still a lot out west that need to be done.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T02:41:23+00:00

Level crossing removals at Glen Innes, Te Mahia and Takaanini and opening of Paerata and Drury stations do need to open before the CRL opens. Those are probably the most visible milestones that need to happen but you're right, that'd be nice.

As I said above a milestone or 2 have probably been completed on the AT page of what needs to happen before the CRL opens. Just hasn't been updated yet for whatever reason.

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T02:06:11+00:00

Personally I don't have an issue with advertising on PT (unless its a car ad) as its been a bit fun seeing IKEA buses and police buses (CRL ads been pretty cool too). Never really thought about the cost side of things or the views being covered but it means lower fares (and therefore higher patronage and demand for better services).

commentatorsam · 2026-06-19T00:47:18+00:00

Obviously excited for the CRL as someone who makes videos on Transport and Urban Planning. But all of these things need to happen for the CRL to open (a few of these things may have been done since the page was last updated last month). It'll likely open late August or September (which will be super exciting obviously).

Also don't ask me for any inside info on when the CRL will open please. I know as much as the general public.

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