This always happens in Auckland, look what happened to Aotea Square. So much potential for a gorgeous open area in the middle of town, so many architects pitching exciting ideas, and in the end it just got scaled back to a big slab of concrete and a couple of picnic tables.

This discussion thread is waaay out of my depths. I'm so very confused.

So I'm just gonna reserve the right to quote this line in class sometime (out of context of course):

"I wasn't a very good hooker (the puniest kid in the team)"

Those CDs sound really cool, as do some of the records.

hmmm.....
I just reread your post, and I realise now that you probably meant arresting international students would piss off auckland uni...

nvm me...

I'm gonna go sleep now

Firstly, I'm NOT saying what they're saying is right- because what they did was very wrong and very stupid.

but come on, Auckland Uni being pissed off about the disturbance to their revenue?

As soon as the incident occured, the editor of craccum contacted all the national media outlets. He then rushed online and announced to the world that he was a target of censorship, with tantalising hints of a chinese diplomat hidden in the shadows.*cue dramatic music*

From an ethical and legal point of view, they're probably pretty pissed off. But in terms of advertising revenue, craccum probably benefited from this whole scandal.

...Also, I probably would have been more forgiving if the show itself was actually as good as the pamphlets promise. Some of the dancers were much more amateur than highschool cultural groups. And then they have the nerve to charge like 70 bucks for tickets. Mama Mia only cost me $80, and that was a bloody good show.

Hmmm really? you went to the show and you still thought it was alright? Because (although I was born in China), I've always considered myself quite neutral about the issue. Like I remember years ago, when the Chinese consulate had some issue with a poster promoting FLG in Auckland airport, I was firmly on the airport's side. I thought FLG does have a right to promote itself in NZ, and China really doesn't have a right to interfere.

However, I went to the show last year, and I walked out in protest because I was so annoyed at the political message behind it. And after they insisted on the Herald that there wouldn't be a political message.

It's like, if I went to a show that was advertised to promote New Zealand culture, and the organisers insisted that although some performers were from the National party, but it was a show purely about New Zealand culture. And then I went in and the lyrics were like "vote national, labour stinks" and the dances were all about how the Labour party sucked, I'd be pretty pissed off.

I talked to a promotor of the event just the other day, and told her I had seen the show last year.
I asked her "Do you think FLG is an important element of the show?" and she said yes.
and I asked her "so why is there no mention of FLG on the promotional material?" and she pointed to the bottom corner of the back of the pamphlet which named FLG as one of the organisers of the event.
And so I asked her why there was nothing that suggested that the content of the show would involve lyrics criticising the Chinese government, and the lead dancer being beaten to the ground by other dancers dressed in Chinese military gear. (As I had witnessed last year)
And she "This show is about Chinese culture, FLG is a part of chinese culture. So we can promote a show about Chinese culture, and it can include FLG, and we don't have to say it in the pamphlet or on the posters."

Which, in my humble opinion, is just a BS excuse for an act of false advertising.

So although I'm pretty neutral about the practice and promotion of FLG in New Zealand, I'm pretty annoyed about their promotional tactics.

That being said, I'm kind of annoyed at the students who went and stole those magazines. that was such a stupid thing to do, which basically solved nothing. I was going to write a letter to the editor of Debate to talk about how I feel about those ads, but I don't think I will now, as I am quite embarassed by what's happened over at Auckland Uni, and don't really want to be associated with that.