The saint and the school closure
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes.
The Mish started as a way to bring you longer, in-depth reporting about Dunedin and its people. Through The Mish, you’ll have read about a jailhouse lawyer turned bestselling author, the saga of Cr Lee Vandervis’ parking ticket and the end of my grudge against Six60.
It’s now time for The Mish to grow, to bring you more from New Zealand’s greatest city.
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Is there a sexier sentence than ‘local body elections’ - answer: no.
I get very excited when I see political billboards appearing across the city, and am particularly interested in the design and slogans.
Most slogans are fairly generic: ‘. . . to make a difference’ and ‘let’s get moving again’.
Extra points for those who include the city in their slogan – ‘A Fresh Approach to Drive Dunedin Forward’ – or alliteration: ‘Sensible Strategic Smart’.
It appears the majority of billboards play to the STV system and urge voters to vote their choice for #1.
But I’m a real sucker for billboards promising random things and the prize (this week) goes to the one that says ‘Remove unnecessary judder bars’.
If you’ve spotted an interesting one, hit me up at hamish.mcneilly@stuff.co.nz.
I know it is early in the race but the billboards I have seen most around Dunedin belong to Team Dunedin and Cr Lee Vandervis.
The latter’s billboard features a background of what appears to be a picture of the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition from 1925.
I approached him asking about the choice of a backdrop, but I received no reply.
The exhibition was held at the site where Logan Park is now, and looks amazing.
It ran for about six months, drawing three million visitors through its gate, which was more than double the population of the country.
Here’s a story on how the exhibition skewed the city’s census numbers at the time.
This week I approached mayoral candidates to answer three questions, which we would feature in The Mish. The first three (received) are below.
Mandy Mayhem Bullock, 49
Occupation: Wedding and funeral celebrant
Political affiliation: Independent
For more information you can check out her Facebook page.
Tell us about yourself, and why you want be mayor of Dunedin.
Dunedin born and educated, I love our people and beautiful city.
Currently the Chair of Keep Dunedin Beautiful and Deputy Chair of Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
Having served six years as elected member of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board, I listen and advocate for the people I represent.
I am the Zone 6 representative on the Community Board Executive Committee for Local Government.
I sit on the Otago Local Advisory Committee for Fire and Emergency New Zealand and I coordinate our Voluntary Community Emergency Response group working with Civil Defence.
Passionate about resilience for the communities I will serve.
What are the biggest issues facing Dunedin next term, and what are your solutions?
Current Government reforms will bring huge impact to the role and work of council. I believe that our focus should be to the social wellbeing strategy.
A Council that takes a holistic and strategic approach to decisions. By considering social, cultural, environmental and economic well being for all. We need to strengthen community engagement working with mana whenua partners, affected communities, other stakeholders to identify ways forward. I am driven to create a welcoming, inclusive and accessible city. Where all of our residents feel valued and listened to. I look forward to serving the people of Dunedin.
If you had to vote for another mayoral candidate, who would you vote for and why?
Sophie Barker – she has great governance skills, vested interest in the people of Dunedin, and will make a great ambassador for the city. She is smart, strategic and sensible!
Thanks Mandy.
Next up we have a sitting councillor: Carmen Houlahan, 52
Occupation: Dunedin City councillor
Political affiliation: Independent
For more information check out her Facebook page and website.
Tell us about yourself, and why you want be mayor of Dunedin.
I am a city councillor at DCC. Co-deputy chair of the community and culture committee. I sit on the Toitu and Dunedin Public Art Gallery boards.
I have a BA and a masters in entrepreneurship. I grew up in Dunedin. My career prior to Council has been varied. I was a beauty therapist, sales educator, journalist, marketing promotions manager at Booksellers NZ in Wellington running the NZ Book Awards and 2IC for a family real estate firm. I am an open, honest and fair person who is not afraid to question decisions and advocate for my community.
What are the biggest issues facing Dunedin next term, and what are your solutions?
Councils face huge change in the next term with Three Waters, RMA and the future of local government reforms. The city needs a Mayor that is independent of any political allegiances, so that it can speak out against changes that could be detrimental to our city.
Covid will still play a big part in our lives. Council needs to help the city recover by supporting businesses and the arts sector especially. Businesses that are facing disruptions from infrastructure work might need financial support. The music sector wants and needs venues and protected status to support a vibrant city.
If you had to vote for another mayoral candidate, who would you vote for and why?
I could work with all the current councillors that I have sat around the table with this term. However, there are some I have worked particularly well with and if any of them became Mayor I would be happy to work with them. These include Crs Elder, Radich, Barker, O’Malley and Whiley. The reason I could work with these councillors is that I have voted for similar issues with them. We have similar concerns about the city and we work well together.
And next: we have Sophie Barker, 55.
Occupation: City councillor, business director, penguin volunteer
Political affiliation: Independent
For more information check out her website.
Tell us about yourself, and why you want be mayor of Dunedin.
Grew up at Larnach Castle, helping save this icon. Career involves tourism, conservation, business and voluntary governance roles.
I believe Dunedin people want a truly independent Mayor who rebuilds community trust and is an authentic leader. I would be a Mayor who is approachable, respectful, sensible and practical – capable of building collaborative partnerships and ensuring action on key issues.
My goal is to create NZ’s most liveable city.
As a Councillor I’m disappointed by falling satisfaction with Council, engagement and services. I’m frustrated with Council’s failure to deliver on key projects. It’s time to step up.
What are the biggest issues facing Dunedin next term, and what are your solutions?
Trust. Rebuild with community through open communication and transparent common-sense leadership. Deliver promised strategies.
Climate change. Establish practical action-oriented plan. Address carbon zero goal and resilience planning now!
Economy. Refresh strategy – to lead city prosperity, jobs and better lives for community plus ensure resilience to outside economic shocks. Market Dunedin to raise city’s profile.
Rates affordability. Investigate options to keep rates increases low. Make CCOs accountable and profitable.
Quality of life. Target focused actions to make NZ’s most liveable city ie infrastructure – housing, accessibility, transport .
Government reforms. Fight for Dunedin’s local voice.
If you had to vote for another mayoral candidate, who would you vote for and why?
I’ll be able to answer that question once I’ve seen the other candidates policies and performance on the election circuit. The reason I stood for Mayor is that I didn’t see myself or many Dunedin people I know reflected in any of the Mayoral choices for candidates.
Dunedin deserves an authentic leader who epitomises Dunedin values and aspirations while respecting individual differences of opinion. Someone who is able to lead Council and the city in working together to achieve consensus and actions to improve the amazing city we all live in.
I note that St Joseph’s School Port Chalmers announced it would close at the end of the year.
“The Diocese and the Ministry of Education have mutually agreed to this outcome, and the staff and Board of Trustees of the school respects this decision,” the school, which is 140 years old, said in a notice.
Bishop of Dunedin Michael Dooley said in a statement that classes originally commenced at St Joseph’s School in 1882.
He acknowledged the former staff, including “our own St Mary MacKillop”, the first Australian saint.
You can read more about MacKillop here, who “left a lasting contribution to the charism of the school when she was head teacher in the early years,” Dooley said.
“With this in mind, it is important that we document and celebrate the many achievements of the school as the final chapter in its history draws to an end. I am committed to supporting the community at this challenging time and working with them to explore options for the future use of the facilities.”
Last year the school had a roll of seven, down from 16 in 2007.
Tweet of the Week goes to this whimsical photo, courtesy of Hocken Collections. Iconic.
And this video from their collection is a simply beautiful watch.
Outstanding.
And here is a killer new track from Dunedin’s Soaked Oats.
Play. It. Loud.
If you love music, please check out Avantdale Bowling Club, aka Tom Scott (Home Brew), who announced a tour in support of his second album TREES.
That will be held in Dunedin at the Glenroy Auditorium on Friday 18 November.
And until next week, be good and watch out for unnecessary judder bars.
I'm surprised you didn't link to the more local work Sr Mary MacKillop did setting up the Josephites at Arrowtown https://stjosephsqueenstown.co.nz/index.php/infomation-on-mary-mackillop/
Ace story. Of course elections are unsexy. Base our votes on issues, not distractions.