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Otago Daily Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: water, pennies and crocodiles
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including the future of water in Dunedin, pensioners pinching pennies, and continuing to feed the crocodile. Surrey St residents keen to understand issues Disbelief at the comments made by Dunedin City Council's general manager Three Waters and transition David Ward that our residents' claims contained "a spectacular amount of misinformation and falsehood" (ODT, 1.7.25). After demanding that he and his support act get up here to see the problems after the 2024 flood he didn't even know the full history of Surrey St flooding being new to the job! I'd like to know what falsehoods and misinformation. Some of us have probably read more engineering reports, cost analysis and expert engineering opinions spanning 20 or more years regarding the Surrey St issue and the South Dunedin-wide problem than he's had time to locate. And just so we ratepayers and residents know he's speaking the truth we'd like to see the detailed engineering plans for the piping network upgrades and pumping station improvements plus the complete costings of the engineering works he stated. Or are they still in the pipeline as usual? Surrey St Flood Action Group Response from David Ward: Thank you for the chance to clarify my comments. The Otago Daily Time s originally asked us to respond to a series of comments from residents that were worse than those eventually published. All the claims were false, which is why I responded as firmly as I did. The ODT then thankfully decided not to publish the worst of the comments, but I was not given the chance to modify my response, which was presented in full and out of context. For the record, the problems in Surrey Str are caused by a known bottleneck in our wastewater system, and we have never denied this. We feel for the residents there, and we have taken interim steps to protect their homes (such as the installation of non-return values, and pipe replacements elsewhere that ease pressure on the network including in Surrey St) while continuing to work hard to progress a permanent solution. The issues involved are complex and the potential solutions expensive, requiring changes that affect our wider network, but we expect to be in a position to provide more information later this year. Future Dunedin's full-page advertisement ( ODT , 11.6.25) includes in its "Policy Positioning" that "Future Dunedin will advocate for immediate action to protect $10b of assets at risk from flooding in South Dunedin." In simple terms, that's equivalent to 10,000 x $1 million assets. Given that 900 South Dunedin properties were flooded in the last severe flooding incident, is Future Dunedin able to share with the voting public how the figure of $10 billion was arrived at? Andrew Simms responds: Two options presented by the South Dunedin Futures Programme describe the widespread retreat from large tracts of land in South Dunedin including housing areas, industrial and retail areas. Homes, factories, supermarkets and car dealerships gone. Various reports estimate the value of this land and the assets upon it at between $7 billion and $10 billion. The social cost of displacing 15,000 people is perhaps far greater. South Dunedin is an essential part of Dunedin and much of the function of South Dunedin cannot be replaced. The effective defence of South Dunedin can be achieved for a fraction of its value. Pennies are only pinched because they have to be I noted the article on "penny pinching pensioners'' (ODT , 2.7.25) doing so because they have to, to ensure they can pay their power bills. I'm in my 70s and live in a small flat on the hill. Like most flats in Dunedin it can be "cool" in winter. My power bill is between $90- $100-plus every month. What! I hear you say, how lucky is he. But take into account there is no hot water charge in that and no heating charge in that (when I did use a heater I couldn't afford to pay that bill every month.) So basically I am being charged for light bulbs (have energy saving ones), cooking a meal and time on my laptop (no TV). The "small user" rate has gone and I am told by my power company to expect more rises in costs. Watching successive governments and their approaches to ever rising costs in everything we need to use to survive there appears to be little interest in actually doing anything. Big businesses like power companies seem to hold sway over all aspects of power generation, not the government. The tail has wagged the dog for too long. It is time for "open slather" to be applied to alternative power sources i.e. wind farms, solar farms, tide-generated energy, geothermal, biomass energy. We all see massive innovations in energy production overseas but here, well, let's wait and see. We have lost our innovative No 8 wire mentality that said "rip into it and get it done" and it's been replaced by apathy based on the fact no government and especially no power company is ever going to act in the best interests of their consumers. A sad indictment that we have allowed this to happen and I believe many pensioners will agree with me. Keeping on feeding the crocodile Gerrard Eckhoff (Letters, 3.7.25) is a regular letter writer and contributor to the ODT . Most of us know pretty much where he is coming from. His latest letter can probably be described as pushback against pushback against a recent tirade opposing capital gains tax, such as "stupid" left-wing "do-gooders" keep agitating for. In doing so he has, in my opinion, shot himself in the foot. It demonstrates how shallow this analysis really is. The astronomical increases in monetary asset values over five decades really bells the cat. Is he really suggesting that this mostly reflects increases in real wealth and productive capacity? Rather it is mostly asset inflation – unearned income (although not, apparently, according to our current prime minister). I would prefer to call it "fake wealth". I'm inclined to agree with Mr Eckhoff that capital gains tax (or a wealth tax) would probably not fix the problem. It is the result of too much easy money for non-productive purposes. For example, if I want to borrow for some relatively risky enterprise I would probably be hit for about 2 percentage points more, than if I was leveraging the (fake) equity in my house to buy a relatively riskless investment property. The deregulated financial system just keeps on feeding the crocodile. And by the way, we all know that the world is not particularly fair. Those camped on the Oval in tents or sleeping in cars certainly do. Whether it is meant to be is another matter. But at the very least we expect those who are handsomely rewarded to do something to justify it. Abridged — Ed. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Unelected reps should not vote: Simms
A Dunedin mayoral hopeful says unelected representatives have no place voting in city council processes. Over the weekend, mayoral candidate Andrew Simms lodged his firm opposition to Māori wards and voting rights for unelected representatives. Following social media comments on the subject, Mr Simms told the Otago Daily Times he disagreed with any unelected representatives having voting rights during the council process, regardless of who they were representing. "From my point of view, the community choose the councillors ... to represent them," Mr Simms said. "I see the inclusion of unelected representatives at any level having a vote as being the thin end of the wedge a bit and I don't think that fits with democracy. "At that point, the community loses control of who they have to represent them." Several of the Dunedin City Council's committees or sub-committees have non-elected members. These included infrastructure services and strategy as well as planning and engagement, which each have two local rūnaka representatives with voting rights. Ms Simms said, if elected mayor in October, he would put the matter up for discussion in the council. His preference was for experts to participate in discussions, but not to have voting rights. "It's any unelected representation, it's not a Māori issue whatsoever at that point," he said. "There are numerous people that I could think of within the Dunedin community who are either mana whenua or mātāwaka [Māori from an iwi outside the area] who ... would absolutely waltz in as councillors if they put themselves forward purely on their own merits." Mr Simms said his position on Māori wards was based, in part, on an apparent lack of support for the wards from mana whenua. He said these were conscience issues and candidates on his ticket, Future Dunedin, were free to form their own opinions. Yesterday, other mayoral candidates spoke in favour of unelected representatives. Cr Mandy Mayhem said she had "no issue whatsoever" with mana whenua representatives having voting rights as it was important to have shared responsibility on decision making. Māori perspectives should be incorporated in local governance and steps like developing "culturally appropriate consultation processes" and supporting self-determination could ensure Māori participation. Fellow councillor and mayoral candidate Sophie Barker said she believed in Māori representation and input into council decision-making. "I realise people can be nervous about unelected representatives on committees. However, I think committee representation is useful to ensure we have mana whenua views." Cr Barker said people she had spoken to felt comfortable with the arrangement as committees did not have the same powers as council. "A Māori ward was raised recently by a member of mātāwaka. Some Māori, while respecting and honouring the rights of local iwi, feel that their voices are not being heard in decision making ... it's worth thinking about." Green Party nominee Mickey Treadwell said Māori had "long been under-represented in local government" and committee representation and Māori wards were an important part of addressing the inequity. "Both the DCC and the [regional council] have independent accountants on their audit and risk subcommittees, and this somehow escapes controversy." Other mayoral candidates Lee Vandervis and Jules Radich did not respond to questions.
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Council hopefuls talk about climate change
Although nominations for local body elections do not open for another two weeks, some of Dunedin's early-bird candidates got the ball rolling by outlining their thoughts on climate-related issues. Dunedin mayoral candidates Sophie Baker and Andrew Simms, and city council candidates Marie Laufiso, Jim O'Malley and Lily Warring spoke at a meeting last night before fielding questions from the audience of about 50 people. Dunedin climate advocate Bruce Mahalski opened the meeting and said it was an opportunity for the candidates to share their thoughts on climate-related issues. The council hopefuls covered topics such as a commercial train service, the city's Zero Carbon 2030 goal and the working relationship between the Otago Regional and Dunedin City Councils. Cr Barker said the council's zero-carbon goals, which it was unlikely to meet, should have been better organised. Mr Simms said there needed to be advocacy for the environment and emission reduction, but it needed to be done without losing support from the wider community. "The DCC should not prioritise the cost of climate change initiatives ahead of essential climate change resilience, and nor should it use one to hide behind the other." Cr Laufiso said the climate crisis was not a single issue, but linked to generational struggles for Māori and Pasifika members of the community. Cr O'Malley said climate change was an existential threat and while he agreed the council should be acting on it, as local government, it was limited in what it could do. Ms Warring said the council should work the reduce "eco-anxiety" among residents and make decisions for the betterment of future generations.
Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Airport open to cycle trail connection
Megan Crawford. Photo: ODT files Hints of a possible cycle trail developing between Dunedin Airport and other trails in the region may only be a rumour. At the latest meeting of the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, chairman Andrew Simms provided an update on the Taieri Trails Group and hinted at a possible new trail being considered. ''It appears that the airport are now under some guidance to create a cycle trail to the airport, and it appears that the airport have identified that working with the Taieri Trails Group might be the easiest way for them to achieve that.'' That could be a pretty significant development for the group, he said. However, Dunedin Airport said there were no specific plans at present. Dunedin Airport general manager business development Megan Crawford said the airport supported proposals to extend regional cycle trails through or near airport land and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with partners and stakeholders on that initiative. The airport was proud to contribute to projects that strengthened regional connectivity, promoted sustainable transport and enhanced the natural environment, she said. The airport had an ongoing relationship with Central Otago Clutha Trails Ltd (COCTL), specifically regarding the Clutha Gold Trail, which was a Community Sponsorship Fund recipient. There were no specific plans between Dunedin Airport and COCTL to develop trail infrastructure together, but general manager sustainability and planning Louis Brown and chief executive Daniel De Bono were both passionate about the possibilities of supporting environmentally sustainable recreation in the local community and helping to develop ''slow tourism'' options that connected the airport with Dunedin and the lower South Island as a whole.
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: elections, Gaza and flooding
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including unchecked election spending, the abhorrent genocide in Gaza, and South Dunedin's flooding issues. Election spending rules need urgent revision The massive unchecked election spending by Dunedin mayoral candidate Andrew Simms and his Future Dunedin Party highlights how weak local body election spending controls have become. Limitations on election spending for the October elections do not take effect until mid July and until then Mr Simms is having a field day with, amongst other things, many full page advertisements in this newspaper. American democracy has been seriously flawed by money in politics and it is something we don't want to see here. In a sense, if you have enough money then politics becomes no longer an even playing field as the rich or their surrogates affectively buy their way into office. [Bill Southworth is a former local body election candidate. Editor.] When it all started The editorial ( ODT 21.5.25) quite rightly recognises the abhorrent genocide occurring in Gaza, with relentless bombing and intentional starvation through the blockade of aid. However, we challenge the editor's misconception that this situation started on October 7th 2023 with the Hamas raids. It started in 1948 when the state of Israel was created on 55% of historic Palestine, driving more than 750,000 Palestinians from their homes (the "Nakba"/Catastrophe). Since then the settler colonial state of Israel has continued expanding, forcing Palestinians into an ever-shrinking land area, in an apartheid state with few rights, despite many United Nations resolutions/reports condemning Israel's war crimes. Since 2005, Gaza has become the world's largest open-air prison, with Israel restricting water/electricity/food/medicines. Experts have long warned that conditions were unliveable. In this context it is abhorrent to state that "Hamas started this". This genocide must be stopped. We call on all institutions to BDS (Boycott/Divest/Sanction) Israel, and for countries to condemn this ongoing genocide. Otago University Staff for Palestine group Great courage, but Shame on Netanyahu. It takes great courage to speak such words these days. Yesterday's editorial (21.5.25) gave me hope ... such a rousing buildup would surely lead to a brave, unequivocal condemnation of Israel's genocide in Gaza, something very lacking in New Zealand today. I sincerely commend you for standing up for humanitarian principles and against Israel's outrageous actions over the last 18 months. It is very refreshing. However, by then framing the "start" of this "latest dreadful conflict" as being on October 7th 2023, you completely ignore that day's context, within a conflict that has been incessant for 76 years (at least for the Palestinians). While laying blame on Hamas for "starting it", you fail to mention that since 1948, Palestinians have faced a mixture of systematic government sanctioned displacements, ethnic cleansing, killings, settler violence, administrative detentions, illegal occupation and apartheid. Your words simply empower Netanyahu's very false narrative, that Israel was attacked on October 7, for no reason at all. [Similar letters received and noted, from R Robert, S Loader. Editor.] Flooding and the blind acceptance of piffle In the absence of meaningful post publication comment on the full page ODT disclosure of plans for mitigation of South Dunedin's flooding issues, may I draw to your attention the lack of arithmetical eptitude in the proposed Dunedin City Council solutions. The plan outlined four options ranging from $2.5 billion to $7.5b. A google search reveals that some 900 South Dunedin properties were flooded in the last event, which appears to have been exacerbated by the lack of maintenance on the stormwater mud tanks. Let's call it 1000 properties for the sake of numerical simplicity: it follows that the cheapest proposed remediative option is to cost $2.5 million per property, and the most expensive option would cost $7.5m per property. A drive round South Dunedin fails to identify one property that would fetch $2.5m on an open market, with the owners of most of the 900 properties, at risk of an inability to gain insurance, being unable sell for more than half a million. That councillors have not factored this analysis into their considerations demonstrates their alarming lack of understanding of number, and a blind acceptance of the piffle they are being fed by senior DCC staff. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
