There are several well-known and easily accessed spots around Dunedin which are supposed to offer unobstructed panoramas of the city.
They can be reached by vehicle or on foot and are not subject to daytime parking restrictions. Most have seating and are ideal for picnics. Some of the more notable of these are Brackens View, Signal Hill Lookout and Rotary Park.
Unfortunately, the description Bracken’s “view” is something of a misnomer given the view has now largely vanished with a vast canopy of trees dominating the foreground and obscuring most of the city, in particular north Dunedin and the university area.
Nearby is a memorial to Thomas Bracken with this site having been dedicated to him. Thomas Bracken (1843-98 ) is described as an Irish-born New Zealander, who it is thought arrived in Dunedin in 1869. During his time in the city he was variously a poet, journalist and politician and is best remembered for his poem God Defend New Zealand.
In 1876, John Joseph Woods, of Lawrence, produced a musical version of this, which was followed by a Maori version in 1878. A century on in 1977, God Defend New Zealand became our national anthem. Bracken is said to have died in straitened circumstances.
At the time of his death. this site was described as “having sweeping views across the city”. Today, in my opinion, trees should not be blocking a view of this quality.
Rotary Park provides a great harbour panorama to Port Chalmers and beyond, but this is also being impeded in some parts by the growth of unnecessarily tall trees and shrubs. Signal Hill Lookout, fortunately, still provides largely unobstructed views across much of Dunedin with excellent parking and access as well.
Being a poet of some distinction, Bracken gained considerable inspiration from the topography and startling beauty of a young, thriving city, booming from the wealth generated by the Otago gold rush. Harbour views captured his imagination with this being the first verse of his poem Dunedin from the Bay.
“Go, trav’ler, unto others boast
Of Venice and of Rome;
Of Saintly Mark’s majestic pile,
And Peter’s lofty dome;
Of Naples and her trellised bowers;
Of Rhineland and far away:—
These may be grand, but give to me
Dunedin from the Bay.”
The substantial loss of Brackens View is a travesty to the memory of this outstanding New Zealander and should be restored as was originally intended, so the beauty of Dunedin can once again be showcased from this special vantage point for all to see.
- Joss Miller is a retired Dunedin lawyer.
