McCaw New Zealander of the year

Forums › Sports › McCaw New Zealander of the year - Thoughts?

geekiegeek

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#191848 18-Feb-2016 08:09

Personally, I think this was the wrong decision and carries on New Zealand's penchant for placing sports above all else.

Sure, he has a done a lot for his sport and has done some charity here and there but I don't think this compares to the other contenders who have worked selflessly for the benefit of others. Even Ritchie in his acceptance speech said that all he did was play a bit of rugby - perhaps receiving the award doesn't sit so well with him either.

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#1494585 18-Feb-2016 08:12

Relax; the All Blacks logo will officially be the flag in a few weeks, and then it will all make sense. Also, have you been snapper fishing lately? I love it. John Key loves it too.

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dwknight

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#1494588 18-Feb-2016 08:17

I couldn't agree more, I'm tired of sporting stars winning awards ahead of real people who are doing real good in the country. Slightly ashamed to be a Kiwi today :(

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#1494589 18-Feb-2016 08:17

Agree with OP. Unfortunately there will be more awards for that guy. He's like a god in this country.

DarthKermit

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#1494600 18-Feb-2016 08:43

Is he a cricket or rugby player? I can't be bothered even checking.

old3eyes

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#1494604 18-Feb-2016 08:50

dwknight:

I couldn't agree more, I'm tired of sporting stars winning awards ahead of real people who are doing real good in the country. Slightly ashamed to be a Kiwi today :(

You mean like the business people , public servants and judges that get knighthoods all the time??

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#1494609 18-Feb-2016 08:56

DarthKermit:

Is he a cricket or rugby player? I can't be bothered even checking.

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SaltyNZ

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#1494613 18-Feb-2016 09:02

old3eyes:

dwknight:

I couldn't agree more, I'm tired of sporting stars winning awards ahead of real people who are doing real good in the country. Slightly ashamed to be a Kiwi today :(

You mean like the business people , public servants and judges that get knighthoods all the time??

Nono, the politicians!

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#1494636 18-Feb-2016 09:19

He gained NZ considerable global PR and holds a high position in his chosen field.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

networkn

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#1494645 18-Feb-2016 09:31

I was talking about this with my wife last night. I am a little torn. I am a huge Rugby fan and consider RM a God amoung sports people, simply and easily the best Rugby player ever and an Exemplary role model (Have you ever seen the guy doing something wrong off the field etc). He has on a number of occasions (Like playing with a broken foot to help us win the RWC) which is well above and beyond the average sports person.

On the other hand, some of the other contenders have fought sexual abuse (Though they are ALSO paid for their work). Stephen Tindall won it, he made millions from the Warehouse, which is a commercial venture.

Almost every Kiwi knows RM, and unless you are being deliberately obtuse, it's pretty hard not to knowledge his sporting achievements and as such, it was appropriate he at least, be considered.

If my kids grow up to be half the guy he is, I'll be pretty happy.

I'd suggest that in terms of the impact he has had on NZ's reputation, and raising NZ's profile to the world, he has done exceptionally well.

Geektastic

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#1494666 18-Feb-2016 09:38

I agree it was not the best choice. Man captains team to win in schoolboy game competition....

Do we have no scientists or explorers who have achieved anything? Mind you, the whole concept of the "New Zealander of the Year" smacks of a level of self-congratulatory backslapping that I can't really relate to.

networkn

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#1494668 18-Feb-2016 09:41

Geektastic:

I agree it was not the best choice. Man captains team to win in schoolboy game competition....

Do we have no scientists or explorers who have achieved anything? Mind you, the whole concept of the "New Zealander of the Year" smacks of a level of self-congratulatory backslapping that I can't really relate to.

Umm Nope, Man captains team to WORLD competition Win. (And TWICE in a row). A feat never achieved before. In the process, raises NZ's profile significantly.

Sure there are scientists in NZ, they have awards for science too.

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#1494669 18-Feb-2016 09:42

Does "New Zealander of the Year" imply that he did something special in the last 12 months, like captain a world cup-winning Rugby team? I guess that means he was also "New Zealander of the Year" in 2012. No, that was Richard Taylor. Poor David Kirk - we didn't even have the awards in 1988. Still, I guess there was nothing other than sport happening in 2015, what with Lydia Koh being "Young New Zealander of the Year".

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#1494674 18-Feb-2016 09:49

andrew027:

Does "New Zealander of the Year" imply that he did something special in the last 12 months, like captain a world cup-winning Rugby team? I guess that means he was also "New Zealander of the Year" in 2012. No, that was Richard Taylor. Poor David Kirk - we didn't even have the awards in 1988. Still, I guess there was nothing other than sport happening in 2015, what with Lydia Koh being "Young New Zealander of the Year".

Is there a 'Geriatric New Zealander of the Year"?

Or perhaps "New Zealander of the Year born on a Thursday"?

How about "New Zealander of the Week"?

Or maybe "New Zealander of the Decade"?

Heck, with on line polling we could have "New Zealander of the Day"!

roobarb

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#1494678 18-Feb-2016 09:52

networkn: Man captains team to WORLD competition Win. (And TWICE in a row). A feat never achieved before. In the process, raises NZ's profile significantly.

I don't think the WORLD even noticed. Rugby is globally a minority sport. Now, if he captained New Zealand to win the soccer WORLD cup, then the WORLD might pay attention.

networkn

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#1494680 18-Feb-2016 09:54

roobarb:

networkn: Man captains team to WORLD competition Win. (And TWICE in a row). A feat never achieved before. In the process, raises NZ's profile significantly.

I don't think the WORLD even noticed. Rugby is globally a minority sport. Now, if he captained New Zealand to win the soccer WORLD cup, then the WORLD might pay attention.

Sure soccer is more widely played, sure, but Rugby is important in lots of countries, and it's getting MORE popular. The sporting world DID notice.

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