Alongside the well-attended "Pints and Pizza" evening at Pearl Diver we visited Aukaha, the mana whenua-owned organisation with a long and proud history in the wider Otago region.
I was reminded of the ways in which mana whenua is being re-inscribed back into the buildings and cityscape, adding to the wealth of architecture that is present in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
From the Southern Hospital and George St, to the ACC building, we can see design elements that reflect mana whenua and our distinctive local landscape.
For those who have reason to visit Aukaha’s offices, you’ll see the same attention to aesthetics reflecting Kāi Tahu values as well as a dynamic workplace culture.
At the "Pints and Pizza" meeting there were questions about the Budget and what we can do differently.
Again, I was reminded of how we here in Ōtepoti Dunedin stand up for the things we value and on the big issues.
When 35,000 Dunedin residents came out on the streets in September 2024 to contest the government’s broken promises for our new hospital we saw the power of community.
And each Friday, outside the fire station, our brave firefighters are calling out this cruel government and calling for a full independent inquiry into Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s cost-cutting of an essential service, which is putting firefighters and the public at risk.
Stories of fleet breakdowns are common, alongside unsafe staffing levels and issues with emergency dispatch staffing.
The ongoing cuts to the core public services that we all rely on is pushing us further into austerity and widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
But it has conversely made people understand that politics really does matter to us personally — whether we have a job and enough in our wages to pay for power and groceries; whether we have a home that is dry and healthy; whether there’s a fire extension ladder to fight an apartment fire — the politics matter because politics should be for the people, not for corporates.
But the government is doing everything it can to turn us off and limit our participation.
The government’s Electoral Amendment Bill restricts when people can register to vote.
It will particularly disenfranchise low-income workers, Māori, Pasifika, Asian and young people.
To counter this, we need to ensure as many people as possible enrol to vote early, or upgrade their enrolment details early.
The last day to enrol to vote in this year’s election is the 25th of October, and earlier is far better.
The government wants to convince you that there is no alternative, but we’ve heard that before.
Here is an alternative, better is possible.
It’s time to unite; we simply can’t take democracy for granted.
Register to vote, toot for the firefighters and be proud of what makes us unique here in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
