The Toronto City Council in Canada yesterday voted to rename its Dundas St, along with other public amenities using the same name.
The change is due to the street having been named after Scottish minister Henry Dundas, a politician known for delaying the abolition of slavery within the British empire.
A statement on the decision issued by the City of Toronto said it was a step towards "[challenging] institutionalised racism and [building] a more inclusive Toronto for all".
While Toronto has decided to make the change, there appears to be no strong desire to consider a change to Dunedin’s own Dundas St, in the student quarter.
Mayor Aaron Hawkins said when it came to grappling with New Zealand’s colonial past, the city should follow the lead of mana whenua.
"The last time we discussed it with them, their preference is to balance the ledger by reflecting more of our indigenous stories in the fabric of the city.
"We’re doing this currently in our urban design planning, with major infrastructure projects like the new Mosgiel Pool, and through commissioning of new public artworks."
Otakou marae kaumatua Edward Ellison said Dundas St was famous due to its student and university links, and many Dunedin street names reflected the city’s Scottish history.
If any change was proposed, he believed wider community discussion would be needed.
"I think any such debate/discussion would inevitably also have a focus on New Zealand’s past and influences that impacted harshly, for example on tangata whenua."
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Let's be honest. If a simple street name offends you, then maybe you have your priorities in life somewhat askew.
So if the name was Hitler Street, would we be classified as snowflakes for being offended by it?
The word 'snowflakes' is yours, not mine....
And 'NO'.... I wouldn't be offended by a street name called Hitler. Because it's only a word. I AM offended by the actions of the individual named Adolf Hitler. But a simple name, no!
Do you suggest we remove every mention of the word Hitler because it offends you? I suggest you stop looking for things to be offended by.
Change the name. As a descendant of the Atlantic slave trade, I think there is good reason for a name change. This politician is not Scottish heritage we need to respect. Have a Māori name, ask mana whenua for a name. Be bold Dunedin
Let's be honest. If changing a simple street name offends you, then maybe you have your priorities in life somewhat askew.
Sounds to be a pot that doesn't need stirring. People going looking for things to change for their own feel good fluffies. It Dunedin history, same as Rabbie and the Buddhas on the hill. Leave them be!
Who cares. Dundas Street in Dunedin has it's own history. The majority of people you ask wouldn't even now whom it was named after or what they did. Time to stop whingeing about what people did in a time when it was condoned as opposed to trying to align it with today's beliefs and values.
Let's be honest. If changing a simple street name offends you, then maybe you have your priorities in life somewhat askew… wait, what?
Edinburgh has a Dundas St *and* a statue of Dundas