6 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT THE AUCKLAND RAIL LOOP

Super mayor Len Brown looked like the cat who got the cream this week, when it was announced the government was coming to the party to help pay for his life-sized train set. Well, they'll help pay for it in 2020, maybe - but still, a win's a win, right Len? Anyway, why the hell should the rest of the country stump up for Auckland's new tube?

1: It's Nice to See Len Smiling Instead of Hitting Himself on the Head. Self harm is never okay.

2: Why Should Christchurch Get All the New Stuff?

3: Exciting Chase Scenes in Movies and TV Shows. Once we have a real live subway, cops can chase bad guys in and out of it. Admittedly, hobbits already have their own holes, but I'm sure they could work some kind of subterranean cliffhanger into an episode of Shortland Street.

4: Finally, a Clearly Defined Career Path for Buskers. Obviously the Auckland Underground would be the ultimate stage for any budding kiwi street performer.

5: A Boon to New Zealand's Escalator Manufacturing Sector. We make these, right? I hope so, because we're going to need heaps.

6: Bailing Out MediaWorks. Presumably John Campbell got some kind of grant to pay for his helicopter ride over the proposed route the other night. I mean, they're in receivership - where else would they have got the money?