Dunedin Broadcaster Contests Mayoralty

Dunedin broadcaster and freelance writer Aaron Hawkins has become the fourth candidate to emerge in the contest for Dunedin's Mayoral Robes in this October's local body elections. After a decade of watching local government drift further away from the electorate, Mr Hawkins felt he could no longer stand idly by and watch the city he loved stagnate, and its leaders time and again turn their back on the people who elected them.

"Dunedin has an international reputation as being a vibrant and creative city, and it is time Dunedin had a Mayor and City Council who were not only receptive and supportive of this, but also reflected this forward-thinking in their own vision and decision making. Preserving the city's heritage architecture from the 1870s and ditching the failed Think Big strategies of the 1970s are both key elements in ensuring a thriving city in 2070" Mr Hawkins said.

Along with restoring, preserving and promoting local heritage and culture - past and present - a focus needs to be placed on building incentives for tertiary students to remain in Dunedin after graduating, and the DCC, University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic needed to work together for this to happen. "With the changes in tertiary education funding already seeing the University cap enrolment numbers, Dunedin can no longer rely on student numbers as a perpetual growth industry for the local economy. It makes sense to encourage entrepreneurs, artists and artisans to set up shop in the city after their studies are complete, with flow on effects for the benefit of the entire community that cannot be understated. Supporting existing business is also vital, and the Dunedin City Council should endeavour to use local contractors where it is at all financially feasible."

The DCC needed to put pressure on sub-par landlords, particularly in the Dunedin North student accommodation market, and their own rental properties, prioritising their social housing holdings in South Dunedin. If students had longer term prospects in Dunedin and accommodation that met World Health Organisation standards, the attitude of Dunedin being a disposable holding pen for the student population, and attendant damage would become less of an issue.

"According to the DCC's own Resident's Survey, the University is seen as one of Dunedin's great strengths, while the student population is seen as one of the great weaknesses. The University is a fundamental part of the local economy, and the strained relationship between 'Town & Gown' needs to be repaired. These policies, I believe, would be a huge step in that direction."

Aaron Hawkins plans to run as both a Mayoral candidate, and a potential City Councillor.

ENDS

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