Editorial: Playing catch up for Cup

What is it about Tauranga and the Rugby World Cup?

There are two issues bubbling away at the moment - and I have strong views on both.

First is our lack of party atmosphere.

As Graham Skellern wrote in this column last week, you would have thought our city would have been organised with a party central and big screen for this major event.

Instead we missed the boat.

Someone or some group of people either forgot or decided it wouldn't be an issue.

But it is an issue. There is a gaping hole downtown with no party spirit. It's almost as if Tauranga forgot about the Cup. Of course, some would argue Cup organisers forgot about Tauranga first by not having host games here.

But as we reported yesterday, there has been enough backlash for Mayor Stuart Crosby to reveal plans for a party central for the remainder of the Cup with a big screen at the waterfront.

He is hoping this will be done by the quarter-finals and a budget plan is now being drawn up. It is hoped it can be done within existing council World Cup budget.

The plan will be put before councillors for a final decision on Monday.

It is now critical councillors approve this, given more than 70,000 rugby supporters are expected through the central North Island and Tauranga will host three cruise ships overnight next month.

Imagine if they turn up to discover there's no party zone. I shudder to think what message they will be spreading around about our great city as a result.

Tauranga's party central should be alcohol-free to create a family environment. If people want to drink and watch rugby they can do so at home or at the pub.

It's a shame we're playing catch-up.

The second issue is the flag - and I cannot believe this is actually an issue.

We reported yesterday the council had swapped the official New Zealand flag for a black one with a silver fern on it.

But it turns out this is against the council's resource consent for the Elizabeth St-Takitimu Drive pole.

City chief executive Ken Paterson has decided to leave this black flag up despite this technicality and not everyone's happy.

Mount Maunganui resident Perry Harlen has complained, saying there should be one rule for all.

Another resident, John Mitchinson, believed the black flag should be flying under the official flag.

He is also concerned at the lack of national flags flying around the city, on council flagpoles or building windows.

I am staggered. Both flags represent our nation and the passion we all have for it and our national rugby team. And who cares if there are not enough flags around the city? There are bigger things to be worrying about.