Clare Thinking - Clare Curran, MP for Dunedin South

October 13, 2014

I am deeply proud and humbled to have been re-elected as the Dunedin South MP for a third term.

Thank you for putting your faith in me to represent you for the next three years. My commitment to the people of Dunedin South is unwavering.

Labour fared well in Dunedin, with Dunedin South picking up the sixth highest share of the party vote in the country. Dunedin continues to have two staunch advocates in myself and David Clark.

Labour has been given a wakeup call this election. Difficult questions must be asked, and we will not shirk away from the answers. I see it as an opportunity, to regroup, examine our core principles, and to engage with what New Zealanders want from their major opposition party and their next government.

I will fight for Dunedin and Otago, for job creation, for local business, and for increased health, housing and employment standards. It will get harder in the next three years, but I will always advocate for those that need it most.

Among my priorities for this term are advocating for a much-needed South Dunedin community facility, working with local government on urban planning and climate change mitigation, encouraging investment in local industry and start-ups, and fighting to keep jobs and manufacturing in Dunedin.

I will also work with anyone wanting to progress our region. I welcome your honest feedback . You can contact me by writing to me c/- Parliament, Wellington (Freepost), completing the survey below, or emailing dunedinsouthmp@parliament.govt.nz

Survey Opportunity

I would appreciate it if you could find the time to fill in the short survey below gauging your feedback in the aftermath of the election.

Please click here to complete the survey.

Punavai Ole Atamai Preschool

I was delighted to recently spend time with the wonderful children at the Punavai Ole Atamai Preschool, which is run by EFKS- the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa- here in Dunedin.

I regularly visit ECEs and schools in my electorate to talk to staff and kids. Please get in touch with my office if you would like me to visit your ECE or school.

Dunedin dealt another blow

There has been yet another body blow to the South Dunedin community whose resilience has already been sorely tested.

The recently announced loss of 30 jobs at Donaghys factory is devastating to local manufacturing and to the families involved.

Donaghys was founded in 1876; the company has survived two world wars and the Great Depression, so it’s awful that the South Dunedin company has to practically halve its 70-strong workforce.

Please contact my office if you or anyone you know is affected by this announcement.

Caversham Treasure Hunt

Caversham is a wee gem in the Dunedin South community. The first suburb in Dunedin, it has a rich and vibrant history.

The Caversham Community Group have done an awesome job in revitalising the suburb, and ensuring a real sense of community spirit.

On Sunday October 5 the group organised a treasure hunt which was well-attended by locals and communty groups alike. Events such as these are vital at keeping community camaraderie.

Pictured above with Dunedin Collaboration Against Family Violence (DCAFV) organiser Rob Thomson.

DCAFV donated the use of community BBQs on the day. These BBQs are widely available for community use. Contact Rob on 4741121 (option 5).

Suffrage Day Celebrations

121 years ago, on 19 September, New Zealand women became trailblazers as they fought to gain the right to vote, becoming the first country in the world to do so.

New Zealand suffragettes were a hardy lot, many of whom gave up their lives in the name of democracy.

This year, the Service and Food Workers Union paid tribute to the New Zealand suffragettes by holding a Victorian-themed breakfast at Robbie's Bar in South Dunedin. It was a great event, enjoyed by all.

I hope Suffrage Day continues to play an important role in New Zealand.

Otago Polyfest 2014

Otago Polyfest celebrated 21 years this year, and true to form it did so in style.

Musselburgh School, pictured above, was one of the dozens of Dunedin schools that participated in the Polyfest.

The commitment and energy of the participating schools was heartening to see.

Well done to the organisers, and I look forward to seeing it evolve over another 21 years.

Two of Dunedin's Finest

Somewhere amidst a whirlwind visit of his home turf, Labour MP Grant Robertson found time to visit Dame Dorothy Fraser.

Dame Dorothy is a stalwart of the Dunedin South community, and has a long and proud history of achievement in her field.

The third annual Dame Dorothy lecture was held this year on 21 July, with Dr. Marilyn Waring attracting a large crowd as the keynote speaker.

Grant made a series of visits in his role as Labour's economic development and employment, skills and training spokesperson. Grant is a local boy, a former Head Boy at King's High School, and grew up in South Dunedin.

The two share a great fondness for Dunedin, and will go down as two of Dunedin's finest.

ends

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