Flooding projects and government funding
The ODT (17.10.25) reports that the government, through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund, is investing heavily in flood resilience projects across New Zealand - now. So far 78 in total, including six in Otago.
A follow-up Star opinion piece by New Zealand First’s Mark Patterson (23.10.25) emphasised that climate resilience must be a top priority for the newly-elected city councillors, particularly the decades-long South Dunedin flooding and Surrey St wastewater issues.
Can the Dunedin City Council please confirm whether it has applied for Government Flood Resilience funding to fix these urgent issues?
If not, when will these critical projects be ready for funding applications?
Julian Doorey
South Dunedin Stormwater Justice Group
John McAndrew, Three Waters group manager, Dunedin City Council, replies:
‘‘We recognise the importance of flooding resilience, which is why the Dunedin City Council has allocated $29.2 million for a series of short-term stormwater improvements in South Dunedin.
‘‘These projects include diverting the Bay View Rd and New St stormwater systems directly to the Portobello Rd pumping station; upgrading the size of the Forbury Rd stormwater pipe; and disconnecting the Hillside Rd stormwater mains and pumping it to Orari St stormwater outfall instead.
‘‘Funding for these improvements is already in the DCC’s current nine-year plan and design work has begun.
‘‘We did not seeking funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for reasons including timing and the type of funding available, but we are confident the improvements will be delivered and will increase our network’s capacity and resilience for the benefit of South Dunedin residents, including in Surrey St.’’
Vitriol uncalled for
I am surprised by Brendan Murphy’s comments about Prof John Highton’s opinion piece (Opinion ODT 27.10.25).
Prof Highton describes a recent road trip of Aotearoa when he noted a railway service, small dairy factories, and sheep farms that supported local communities. He remembers times when we led social policy and took principled stands on international affairs. He reflects that “we could do worse than to look back to an older, more principled and egalitarian New Zealand, in order to move forwards”.
Brendan Murphy’s letter to the editor (10.11.25) assumes Prof Highton left this country decades ago and says he should take his opinions back to the UK.
Prof Highton is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Otago. He is a medical doctor who served our community in Otago with dedicated care of rheumatology patients for decades. Many people have benefited from his knowledge and wisdom.
Prof Highton knows what he is talking about when he writes about the Bendigo mine. He is an Otago Fish and Game councillor who knows and cares for this province and its people.
Ruth Barnett
Dunedin
Wrong end of the stick
So intrigued by Brendan Murphy getting hot under the collar over John Highton's nostalgia for ‘‘old’’ New Zealand, I reread the article.
Whew, talk about getting the wrong end of the stick. Let me just say New Zealand is now a poor country with very expensive houses. I went to school and university in the 1950s and ’60s. People had steady jobs and no matter how ‘‘ordinary’’ could expect to buy their own home.
Sure, you couldn't buy a new car and places like New Plymouth didn't have restaurants, but nobody was living in poverty.
Dennis N. Horne
Howick
All fun and games until services targeted
You reported (ODT 7.11.25) on disturbing behaviour with fireworks in the student quarter. Letting off fireworks there is not new. We did it in the 1970s.
But aiming them at police and allied workers carrying out their business is a no-no. It is to the detriment of the public who may require such services.
I was appalled to read of this happening. When is the university going to toughen up on this behaviour or are they just waiting for another Sophie Crestani episode to unfold?
We are told there is a code of compliance in action but do we see it?
These such individuals seemingly evade prosecution under s101 of the Crimes Act because it could be detrimental to their future employment.
If they are loath to prosecute these miscreants they should at least disallow examination entry and/or suspension as some sort of message needs to be sent rather than a paltry warning.
To say a possible cause of the behaviour is ‘‘stressed students in a challenging study environment with a high cost of living’’ is choice indeed. Thousands of others seem to manage without resorting to this carry-on.
To me these are seemingly entitled individuals thinking they can do whatever away from home.
Perry Adank
Dunedin
Praise for ODT’s recent Trump opinion pieces
Thank you for the continuing good articles of the US political scene.
The Trump-lead executive seems determined to put themselves in the perpetrator seats in the courts with abuses of power, illegal government directed killings and other deliberate actions that go against their constitution.
Even suspected drug runners are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, though there is a degree of brutal efficiency in dead men don’t reoffend. Surely the mighty US Navy can catch, board these vessels and find the evidence?
Trump’s rambles about taking over Greenland, strikes against Venezuela, invading Nigeria, retaking control over the Panama Canal, building fancy resorts on the Gaza coast etc are an insult to principles of international law.
Thankfully the American people’s distaste for their country being the world policeman at a high disproportionate cost to them, is growing.
Ian McGimpsey
Owaka
I found it most illuminating and thought-provoking to read Emeritus Professor William Dominik’s article (Opinion ODT 6.11.25) on ‘‘Trump and the ghost of Alcibiades’’.
To this historical reflection it might also be helpful to read what Sophocles, the Greek tragedian, says in his play Oedipus Rex: ‘‘The tyrant is a child of Pride who drinks from his sickening cup Recklessness and vanity, Until from his high crest headlong he plummets to the dust of hope’’. Will the attentive hear?
Heinke Matheson
Maori Hill
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
