Please, please, just tear Archway down
I think I speak for every single human being that has ever had to sit through a lecture or an exam in the Archway lecture theatre, when I say that the Archway lecture theatre is just the worst.
The Richardson building looks like a maximum security prison. The Commerce building looks like the administration block of a maximum security prison at mardi gras. But the Archway lecture theatre takes the cake: it looks like a toilet block.
Ooooh, it won a prize did it? News flash: you can pin a ribbon on a giant cow turd — doesn’t make it cheesecake.
To the DCC: you’re not wrong in describing the Archway lecture theatre as "unique, special and without comparison in Dunedin". This is absolutely true — in the worst possible sense.
To the university: just tear the damn thing down. You can ask for forgiveness later.
Define ‘urgency’
This government’s misuse of the true meaning of urgency in pushing through parliamentary processes that make no sense makes a farce of the word "urgency", especially when it affects its people’s lives and livelihood adversely
The government is so "relentlessly focused" on achieving their own preferred outcome — which is saving money so that their books look good and they can skite about the Budget — that they are overriding the essential needs of hard-working citizens.
In particular the Equal Pay Amendment Bill. As you so cleverly emphasise, the undermining of women’s voices and undervaluing their absolutely essential work, is not caring, not listening, apparently just not convenient to this government’s "efficiency" programme.
How about using the word "urgency" to expedite — and get cracking on building our much needed hospital? That’s what this government should be doing.
Losing touch
This government seems to have lost touch with real New Zealanders in so many ways. Funding to local support agencies has been cut, costs have risen across the board with little or no attempt to address this, hundreds of jobs have been lost right across the country affecting communities in every locale, and it was a sad day when the National-led government sought to remove the rights of working women seeking to address the gender pay gap, and under urgency, no less.
Their recent behaviour smacks of choosing to ignore the very real issues that affect all of us. Depriving women in order to find funding for their upcoming Budget is only their latest despicable manoeuvre.
We have "tightened our belts" so much in recent times, that getting in shape now means we look like an hourglass.
Moral compass
Congratulations on your editorial (10.5.23). Yes — the "moral compass" of our government is in dire need of radical resetting if this country is to serve as any kind of positive exemplar in a very troubled world.
Independence day
In commending your fine editorial (10.5.25) emphasising the government’s disservice to women and New Zealand, your publishing the same day Steve Braunias’ Secret Diary, and today (12.5.25) Sir Ian Taylor’s opinion piece, I acknowledge the ODT as a presently rare gem, an independent newspaper.
Who are we defining as a complete pillock?
In a recent opinion (12.5.25) Sir Ian Taylor defined the word "pillock", and then attached it to David Seymour in the following manner: "But there is a lot of evidence that supports the case for pillock being used in the context of David Seymour. Treaty Principles Bill: millions of taxpayer money spent on a Bill everyone knew would fail when it came to Parliament."
This is an unusual and personal definition of the term.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Mr. Seymour’s Bill enjoyed the support of the majority of the nation, even if it was eventually voted down by the political elite under Mr Luxon.
With some justification, Mr Seymour has said that this is not the end of the matter.
A very similar situation existed with the campaign to give women the vote in New Zealand.
Bills granting the vote to women were introduced to Parliament on multiple occasions between 1878 and 1892. They were all voted down by the then (male) political elite.
Consequently, by Sir Ian’s definition, the leader of this sustained campaign for equal rights for women could be described not just as a pillock, but as a complete pillock.
That individual was Mrs Kate Sheppard. Backed by strong public support, she finally succeeded in her aim in 1893 despite desperate resistance from the elite under "King Dick" Seddon.
As a member of the elite, it must be mortifying for Sir Ian to be confronted by the image of Mrs Sheppard (a complete pillock by his own personal definition), every time he uses a $10 note to pay for his latte.
Mining pitch offers chance for a win/win
As is already well publicised, Santana New Zealand will shortly be applying for consent to have its gold quarrying proposal at Bendigo approved.
As we all know gold mining is a risky business. The big question for our Upper Clutha community is how is that risk to be shared if the proposal proceeds?
What if, two or three years down the track, the price of gold bellyflops, and Santana goes bust and decamps with nothing in its piggy bank to tidy up the mess?
At very least, if this proposal is to proceed, Santana should be required to pay a significant community risk premium before any mining activity is allowed to commence.
Perhaps converting the existing Thomson’s Track, linking Matakanui to Tarras, with a double-laned tarsealed highway might do the trick.
That would significantly reduce driving time between Dunedin and the Upper Clutha and thus be of positive benefit to Upper Clutha folk, and, at the same time, might well facilitate Santana’s access to its mining site.
Win/win you might say.
Show respect
People who are taking the time to speak in what can be an intimidating environment during public submissions should have their concerns listened to respectfully.
Taking the moral high ground earlier in the week and then laughing at others because you don’t agree with them, is such hypocrisy. No wonder there is little public engagement and people do not feel like they are being listened to.
I think Dunedin city councillors need to remember that it is election year.
The results may reflect what the public think of their highly paid self-indulgent and righteous performances.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
