Latest news with #Radich
Otago Daily Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival suggested after Sheeran snub
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich says he has a solution to attract top acts after the disappointment of the city missing out on Ed Sheeran. Mr Radich believed the answer was creating a new event called "Dunedin Sounds" — which he first suggested after the death of Dunedin musician Martin Phillipps. Bands from Dunedin and around the world could perform at the event which could not be taken away from Dunedin given its name. "Maybe we could send it to Dunedin, Florida, play some shows there, and we can send it to Edinburgh because Dunedin is, after all, the Gaelic name for Edinburgh so there is a lot of synergy there. "Just as Edinburgh has sent its Tattoo to New Zealand, we could send Dunedin Sounds to Edinburgh," he said. He suggested Dunedin Sounds could be an event Ed Sheeran might one day headline along with other international artists including Taylor Swift. He felt the likelihood of Dunedin Sounds coming to fruition was strong. There had been times when there was an influx of acts to the city. "It's either a feast or a famine." Mr Radich said transport was not an insurmountable issue, despite telling the Otago Daily Times on Tuesday the city missed out on Ed Sheeran because the airport was too small. He said the problem was not many artists were touring post-Covid and it was more difficult to attract acts to smaller cities. Dunedin Venues chief executive Paul Doorn said he and his team were continuing to work aggressively to attract international acts. Mr Doorn said the organisation's challenge was making Forsyth Barr Stadium and the city more attractive to the artists. There was a steady stream of acts playing at the Dunedin Town Hall which had a capacity of about 2200 seats. The stadium had a capacity of about 38,000 and international artists were necessary to fill it. He said in the current climate it was a good sign that artists were coming to New Zealand at all, let alone the South Island. Benefits of coming to Dunedin included the covered stadium which was like an "indoor arena on steroids" and being close to scenic locations in Central Otago and Southland. He did not subscribe to the theory the new Christchurch stadium would take acts away from Dunedin. While Christchurch had a bigger population, Dunedin had diversity with the student cohort and people from Central Otago and Southland. The city had history and culture surrounding live music. "There's a passion for live entertainment here which is really good. "We've just got to be able to group that all together with a really good economic proposition to get them to come further south." Dunedin Venues was working through transport challenges and trying to find clever ways to get around accommodation-related issues. "We're working with big transport logistic-type companies to try to find and unlock more cost-effective ways to bring shipping containers down via rail or trucks." He stressed Dunedin's airport size had not stopped big acts coming to the city in the past. The $1.645m the Dunedin City Council put aside for events attraction funding for Dunedin Venues in its nine-year-plan made a big difference in attracting artists, he said. He assumed Sheeran's logistics for making it to the next leg of his tour in Australia was part of the reason why there was not going to be a Dunedin show. Dunedin Airport chief executive Daniel De Bono said while the airport was not approached by Sheeran's promoters, it maintained the full capability for narrow body jet operations. When Pink came to Dunedin, the airport facilitated two Qantas charter flights carrying crew and equipment.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Councillors slam mayor's ‘outrageous' letter about Israel
"Is it appropriate for council to be requesting leaders of the government to ask their own MPs to support a minor opposition party's Bill?" — Jules Radich. File photo: Peter McIntosh Dunedin's mayor has been criticised as "infantile" and "not fit" to lead by city councillors over his letter to the government backing sanctions against Israel. Mayor Jules Radich defended his letter and was supported yesterday by some around the council table. Councillors narrowly passed a motion at last month's community services committee meeting to support Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick's Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. Chairwoman Marie Laufiso's casting vote was required to break a 7-7 tie and pass the motion. Mr Radich, who voted against it, was directed to write to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters asking government MPs to back the Bill. Cr Christine Garey brought the motion to the meeting. Yesterday, she said she was "outraged" by the letter Mr Radich wrote. In it, he detailed the vote's outcome and how councillors had voted — "absolutely not the norm", Cr Garey said. "To put all that detail in was outrageous. It just undermines the whole idea." In the letter, Mr Radich said the situation in the Middle East was of great concern to many Dunedin residents. "There are also many who do not think that international relations are the business of local government," he wrote. Cr Garey said the mayor's role meant ensuring council decisions were carried out. "His job, in this case, was to write a letter — it's not that difficult. "He is not fit to be mayor if he: A, cannot understand that and B, if he can't do that job." Mr Radich said his letter responded to the council's wishes and was "in accordance" with its resolution. "The plight of the Palestinian people is of great concern to many in Dunedin — myself included and I voiced that in the meeting." The letter included the view of "half the council" and "many of the community" that it was not the business of a local authority to intervene in national politics or international relations. "Is it appropriate for council to be requesting leaders of the government to ask their own MPs to support a minor opposition party's Bill?" he asked. "Having said that, I respect the democratic process and the will of council." Cr Mandy Mayhem said Mr Radich's letter was "disappointing and embarrassing" and Cr Steve Walker said the letter spoke volumes about the "infantile, petulant and self-serving attitude of someone unfit to lead our city". It was an "insult" to the council, the Dunedin Palestinian community and residents who supported the motion, Cr David Benson-Pope said. "The letter is completely inappropriate but sadly yet another example of the author's failure to understand the role of the mayoralty." Cr Carmen Houlahan said it was clear Mr Radich was "not keen" on the outcome. Cr Bill Acklin said the mayor had explained the motion was passed on a casting vote, which was appropriate when councillors were "forced to take a side". Cr Andrew Whiley said the letter was factual and covered the resolution. The Otago Daily Times has seen two emails sent to Mr Radich yesterday, from residents critical of him and the letter. In reply, Cr Lee Vandervis said the disapproval was "virtue signalling".
Otago Daily Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
‘Balance' sought in naming of South Dunedin library
Māori and English names could both feature at South Dunedin's new library complex — a move described by the mayor as bringing balance. The Dunedin City Council yesterday accepted Te Whata o Kaituna, the name gifted by mana whenua, for the overall building. Councillors at the civic affairs committee meeting also put forward South Dunedin Community Library as the preferred name for public consultation on the library component of the building. That suggestion came from Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich, who said it was simple and brought an ideal balance between Māori and English. Council staff are to report back next month regarding consultation on the name for the library. Mr Radich likened the situation to the national anthem, which he said featured not precisely the same word meanings between two languages, but was sung to the same tune. "Here we have this one building and two different names that actually mean different things, but they're all about the same tune." Cr Bill Acklin said Te Whata o Kaituna captured the "flavour" of the building while the library naming would note the largest function within it. He observed "people got a bit concerned" previously about the absence of English in the naming of Mosgiel's Te Puna o Whakaehu swimming pool complex. "I think we've got the balance right here," he said. Cr Acklin added the Mosgiel pool name was not confusing, as could be demonstrated by anyone using Google Maps. Cr Carmen Houlahan said the council's resolutions about the library were a good compromise. The two resolutions — recommending the South Dunedin Community Library label for public consultation and accepting Te Whata o Kaituna as the building's name overall — were voted on together and passed 13-1. Cr Brent Weatherall voted against, saying naming the library separately from the building "complicates the whole situation". Noting whata described an elevated structure used to store kai, Cr Weatherall said "well, we're storing books here". Cr Sophie Barker said Te Whata o Kaituna could be translated loosely as "a store room of nourishment for the heart and soul". The paper given to councillors was presented as being "for noting" after a Te Pae Māori committee meeting, including that the building's name would be Te Whata o Kaituna. Cr Lee Vandervis pointed out an apparent problem with this — the committee was not a decision-making body and staff could not be "directed" by it. The council changed the wording to show it accepted the name given by mana whenua.
Otago Daily Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: Bills, butter and the DCC
Regarding the ODT report (17.6.25) of councillors supporting Sophie Barker. The truth needs to be told. Mayor Radich has been the most accommodating and supportive mayor toward councillors since 2010, encouraging everyone to have their say, at length at the council table. His two predecessors pushed their own agendas and controlled the narrative at huge cost to the ratepayer. Since the start of Mayor Radich's term as mayor, councillors who were aligned with and fond of the previous mayor sprayed their venom wide and far, taking potshots at Mayor Radich at every opportunity. Two of his running mates during the election turned on him immediately after the election. To top this off, two councillors have tried to interfere with the operational part of the council, which has been extremely disruptive. Councils are facing unprecedented challenges with rising infrastructure costs and a lack of funding support from central government. This means they need to make decisions to pull back on spending. The recent DCC's long-term plan process shows that the majority of this council doesn't care about rising debt and rates increases. Mayor Radich, deputy mayor Lucas and a few councillors tried hard to keep this expenditure to a minimum, but were out voted by the spendthrifts looking for selected votes in the upcoming election. Mayor Radich has worked tirelessly to perform his role and lead this council. He has achieved a number of things he set out to do. Focused councils attention on vital infrastructure including retaining ownership of our water assets, driving the South Dunedin flood mitigation works, and saving the one-way system. But due to alternative views of his elected critics, things like controlling council debt and reducing rates increases still need to be done. That is what Mayor Radich stands for, and will achieve, if supportive people are elected with the same desire. Bill Acklin Dunedin city councillor No photo ops The compelling arguments against gold mining by Santana of Suzie Keith, Jonathan West, and latterly Matthew Sole (Not inevitable ODT 13.6.25) need to be heeded. High gold prices are touted as the reason for the fast-track applications by this and other gold mining companies, without doing a cost-benefit analysis of all impacts, financial and environmental, on the other side of the ledger. High gold prices are now a very good reason to recycle the approximately 98,000 tonnes of e-waste per year that end up in our landfills. As well as gold, copper and silver can also be recovered. It is perverse to continue wasting hard-won precious metals and rare earths by dumping them. However, recycling doesn't make for good photo opportunities. Chris Henderson Lumsden Stop the Bill The Regulatory Standards Bill has to be stopped in its tracks. Slyly disguised as a watchdog on legislation it has the potential to destroy democracy in New Zealand and replace it with an oligarchy determined to protect property rights over public good. It proposes to elevate the Minister of Regulation (David Seymour) to the most powerful position in Parliament by allowing him to hand-pick a committee of five to seven like-minded members to examine both new and retrospective legislation against conformity with their cynical, monetarist ideology. If Christopher Luxon supports this Bill he is no friend to the New Zealand public and deserves to give up his status as prime minister to the leader of a party which received 8.64% of the vote in the last election. But we don't deserve this threat to our fragile egalitarian society. Islay Little Dunedin Bugger the shareholders, we want our butter Does charity begin at home? It appears not. I, like everyone else, am angry at the ridiculous prices we have to pay for dairy products, especially given the vast amount we produce here. We are told prices are linked to ''international dairy markets''. Why? I don't care how much a slab of butter is in Korea or the cost of a block of cheese in Dubai. Big dairy producers here would view the domestic market as being minuscule compared to overseas markets. That's fine. If for argument's sake the local market was say 1.5%, then these conglomerates should be forced to sell that percentage of their product at a much cheaper, maybe just break-even price to New Zealanders. I know (but care little) about shareholders and it may be that we are at the mercy of overseas countries who may own swathes of land and product here . It is not selfish to ask why are we not looking after ourselves first. Graham Bulman Roslyn Praise given to ODT opinion contributors How lucky we are to have thinkers and writers of the calibre of your correspondents Metiria Stanton Turei, John Drummond and Sir Ian Taylor (there are others). Their recent pieces in the ODT on the relevance of Te Tiriti (30.5-25) , climate change (17.5.25) and the Regulatory Standards Bill (12.5.25) had me saying ''Yes'' more than once as I read them. In response to their opinion pieces, these writers are often critcised, sniped at or personally attacked by some ODT readers for their inclusive, humanitarian perspectives, so I thought that a little praise for their time and effort was due. Please know that your clever use of metaphor, humour or just doing the fact checking is appreciated and enjoyed. Bruce Cull Queensberry On the other hand I would like to comment on the letter of Frances Anderson (ODT 11.5.25) in which they vehemently support the opinion piece of Metiria Stanton Turei, which strongly supported the Te Pāti Māori members of Parliament in their disgraceful behaviour, which has resulted in a ban from attending Parliament. They were particularly aggrieved by my suggestion that Metiria Stanton Turei and other Māori activists should attempt to ''grapple with the darker aspects of Māori culture'' instead of putting their energies into race baiting. For this I was informed that I was bullying their current identity group. As an example, one of the darker aspects of Māori culture is the heavily disproportionate, seemingly routine murder, committed by whānau and or associates, on defenceless children. The likes of Metiria Stanton Turei and her activist friends find this an uncomfortable truth, and instead of trying to find a solution within Māoridom, they choose to put their energies into attempting to divide the country along racial lines. Dave Tackney Fairfield
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Mayor criticised for undermining staff
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich has been slammed for undermining staff after suggesting the council has an anti-carpark "agenda". During yesterday's infrastructure services committee meeting, Mr Radich raised concerns from stakeholders who wanted more consultation on the council's Albany Street Connection, a project aiming to provide a safe walking and cycling connection between the harbour path Te Aka Ōtākou and Dunedin's tertiary area and CBD. "I've been contacted by business owners on that street and they were under the expectation there was going to be some additional consultation with them about the parking and the set-up for the road," Mr Radich said during discussion on the council's forward work programme. "They're certainly not of the opinion that they've had that. "It does suggest that there might be some other agenda, other than optimisation of that street." Mr Radich rephrased his statement after a point of order from infrastructure chairman Cr Jim O'Malley, who took issue with the mayor's assertion staff had an "agenda". When it was upheld by deputy chairman Brent Weatherall, Mr Radich said there was "another 'imperative', another 'raison d'etre' for the project that does not include or does not take into due consideration the key stakeholders of the area". Council papers showed construction was expected to start in November and be completed by May next year. But Mr Radich said the procurement process, due to begin in July, should be halted until the parking committee had reviewed and approved a revised plan, "subject to consultation with the business and property owners". Mr Radich later told the Otago Daily Times he was not suggesting council staff had an agenda. "I wasn't attributing that to anyone in particular, although the project is a hangover from the previous council. "It might be governed by different imperatives than the benefit of the key users of the street." He was unable to clarify who might be driving the "different imperatives". "If you've got divisiveness amongst the key stakeholders of a project, then surely it's better to get them on the same page, to modify the project accordingly so that everyone can have agreement about how it should end up." When asked, Mr Radich said it was business owners Jason La Hood and Greg Paterson who had contacted him with their concerns. Climate and city growth general manager Scott MacLean said there had been a lot of consultation with affected parties — "they've had a lot of input into the final design, and my understanding is that they were happy with that." Cr Lee Vandervis said while councillors had seen initial plans, he was concerned they had not seen the final design. "I feel that [the project] has been pushed through this council, and now pushed through with changes yet to be ratified." Cr Vandervis said he was concerned the project was going ahead without a chance for elected officials to comment on it. "To find that it is now, with all haste, going to contract and to be done, I find that unusual, and it makes me uncomfortable." Cr Steve Walker said the discussion was "getting close" to being the most extraordinary thing he had seen at the council table and the suggestion consultation had been underdone was a "kick in the guts" to staff. "It is interesting that both the mayor and the other councillors never bring up these concerns when it's a consultation that fits their agenda," he said. Cr Christine Garey said councillors had been assured a thorough consultation process had been held by staff with expertise. "To then cherry-pick, which is how I see it, because there are some folk who don't agree with where it's landed — it's cutting our staff off at the knees, and I don't accept that that is an acceptable way for governors to behave." Cr Sophie Barker said she would like to see the plan but there had been ample opportunity for consultation. Cr Carmen Houlahan said there was "a lot of waffle and not a lot of point to the issues being raised". There had "obviously" been extensive consultation, she said.
