Report from the University Landscape Trenches : Financial shoring collapsing, trouble brewing

Received from Rhodes
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 at 9:14 p.m.

Saturday’s ODT had an interesting article about delays on the troubled University of Otago landscaping project. This article is the canary in the University construction goldmine, as there are other even much larger disputes brewing on current University projects that certainly will become a goldmine for the contractors, to the detriment of the University’s financial health.

Hoarding, University of Otago

Mr Mackay said the complications on the landscaping included “replacing old water, sewage and drainage pipes”. What he did not say is that this work was meant to have been done two summers ago, BEFORE the academic year, but due to the project management, it was not. However, this landscaping project is small beer, there are much bigger problems looming.

The University, in their biggest ever project, at the 11th hour, on the “advice” of a contractor, Fletcher Construction, who we understand did not even finally submit a bid, told the University they could save a few hundred thousand on the $100 million project by deleting the need for a cost control schedule…. that would have severely limited what the contractors could charge for changes and extra work. In a monumental display of incompetence, the University stopped production of the schedule – which was already underway and had to be part paid for anyway and put the drawings and specifications out to tender without a schedule. If the drawings were 100% complete and the University wasn’t to change its mind that would be OK, but the Pope is more likely to preach at Canterbury Cathedral than this happening. Of course, the drawings are woefully incomplete, and the arguments and changes have started. Watch out for Someone from the University Property Services division, in about a year, to be in full dissembling mode about the delays, and how, “even though it’s six months late, it’s still on budget”. If that is the case, the budget has massive doses of incompetency cover built into it !

An additional problem that’s about to come home to roost in the University and Otago Polytechnic’s coffers is insistence, by University Property Services, on the use of “Early Contractor Involvement” (ECI). (Someone at University Property Services has never met a new construction euphemism he did not use or a project delay that he could not justify). Both the University and Polytech on recent large projects have engaged in tender processes where there is no fixed sum, because the documents are far from complete, and the current fashion du jour is to have “early contractor involvement” where the builders are paid to be involved in the design phase, to provide “constructability” expertise. Basically the builders make a submission to say what nice people they are, and advise percentage site overhead and profit margins they would build the project for. The rest of the cost, about 85-90%, is just guesswork. (“Provisional Sums”). This process allows the “tender evaluation team” (mainly the Architect and the University) to choose who they want, without regard to price, because the weighting for “non-price attributes” is a lot more than 50% of the total weighting.

On both the University commerce building project, just started by Naylor Love, and the Polytechnic Hostel project (also won by Naylor Love), this was the process. Both projects are around $20 million all up. Significantly, the architect on both projects was Mason & Wales. There were a number of other consultants in the design teams. The politest way to put the next point is that there appeared to be “confusion” about the proposed early contractor involvement process from the team. It was thought, inexplicably, that this wonderful new system of selecting builders without worrying about price meant not only did they get to choose ones with very high margins who wouldn’t cause problems when the inevitable design problems arose, some consultants also thought that they could charge full fees and offload all of the detailing onto the builder…. which of course did not happen. Builders, in the South Island anyway, do not employ armies of CAD operators who can document bespoke large projects. That is what designers are for…. In both cases, the successful Naylor Love bid was hundreds of thousands of dollars more expensive than lower bids. Also in the case of both bids, the University and the Polytech paid a premium of around $500-600,000 to have the “ECI/ constructability” experience of Naylor Love…. only to find that the advice received was NOT what was expected…. the Polytech project has been now costed by Naylor Love and is $1.5-2.0 million over budget, and the “expert” constructability / ECI advice that the Polytech effectively paid $600,000 for is…. wait for it…. to make the building smaller. Hmmm, expensive and brief advice! Best not tell the Humanities students ! The other unsuccessful contractors may well feel aggrieved about how this process played out, as before they were even allowed to provide a proposal they had to prove their capability and experience to do the work, so in theory all tenderers were equally capable, and there was no logical reason for the favouritism to Naylor Love…. but were there other reasons ? There appears no meaningful financial oversight, the project teams seem a law unto themselves, and the suspicion is that both institutions’ funds are being spent in a very free and easy fashion.

[ends]

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Related Posts and Comments:
18.7.16 Misero-mercenary at U of O
1.7.16 No one wants to work for U of O
25.9.15 University calling Property Services
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
27.5.13 Carisbrook and Leith flood protection
17.11.10 Leith Lindsay Flood Protection Scheme
17.5.10 Campus Master Plan
28.1.10 University of Otago Campus Master Plan

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Dunedin: University students into excess alcohol, party drugs, sexual abuse, vandalism #CRIME

SEND IN YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS ???

—

Received from Jeff Dickie
Tue, 3 Nov 2015 at 2:16 p.m.

█ Subject: Singapore letter declined by ODT

On Sunday, 1 November 2015 1:22 PM, Jeff Dickie wrote:

Your newspaper’s images of couch burning and civil disorder become quite focused when viewed from a distance. It is absolutely clear none of the parties that showed a flurry of interest earlier in the year, when poor behaviour was exposed on national media, have any wish to solve it. There followed a cynical exercise in public relations damage control rather than any real effort to solve the problem behaviour of a very small minority. It begs the question why? The university clearly tacitly supports the party image to get bums on seats. The DCC doesn’t know what to do. As a regular visitor to Singapore where alcohol is available 24/7, I have never once seen any such behaviour. The solution is obvious.

JEFF DICKIE
ORCHARD ROAD
SINGAPORE

Woodhaugh
Dunedin

—

All Black win – any excuse
Video stills via Stuff.co.nz (published 1.11.15)

█ Stuff: Dunedin students celebrate Rugby World Cup win by torching couches

—

Related Post and Comments:
● 1.11.15 University of Otago student mayhem continues, another LOSS for Harls
7.10.15 University blues, connected ?
18.8.15 Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui
● 26.6.15 University of Otago flyover #partyville
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
9.1.14 Facadism: … University of Otago warps Castle Street
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

LadyGagaVEVO Published on Sep 17, 2015
Lady Gaga – Til It Happens To You
A portion of proceeds from the sale of the song will be donated to organizations helping survivors of sexual assault.
“Til It Happens To You” written by Diane Warren and Lady Gaga; performed by Lady Gaga, from the film THE HUNTING GROUND.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Super Dave #DUD #CityRiseUp

Received.
Sun, 6 Sep 2015 at 3:32 p.m.
[click to enlarge]

█ Download: Super Dave (PDF, 106 KB)

—

‘Super Dave’ was written in response to this news item:

### ODT Online Tue, 1 Sep 2015
Group out to protect City Rise
By Damian George
One of Dunedin’s biggest heritage areas is under threat from increasing development of high density student flats, a new lobby group says.
About 60 people from around the area have banded together to form City Rise Up, a group tasked with “maintaining the character” of central Dunedin and stunting what it says is a major demographic shift.
Read more

There has been no meeting of signatories since the statement was published:

### ODT Online Tue, 12 May 2015
Joint effort to tackle Dunedin’s drinking
By Eileen Goodwin
A joint statement signed by 10 organisations signals a new approach to addressing the binge-drinking culture in parts of the city, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says. Entitled “Dunedin North Issues”, the statement released yesterday says “pressing action” is required to keep young people safe, curb excesses of alcohol-fuelled behaviour, and protect the livelihoods of Dunedin businesses and tertiary education institutions.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:
● 31.8.15 Legal bloody highs | DCC’s pathetic buffer zones….
● 18.8.15 Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui
15.7.15 Business owner forcibly removed from Dunedin Central police station
26.6.15 University of Otago flyover #partyville
24.6.15 DCC Residents’ Opinion Survey (ROS)
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image posted to Twitter by @MartinShovel 6 Jan 2015 – coiffure added by whatifdunedin

Dunedin authorities blame SUNSHINE #tui

City Council BULLSHIT AND DARK DENIAL [stuff.co.nz – liquor-free zone]

Campus BULLSHIT AND SOLAR GAIN [newswire.co.nz – alcohol sales]

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Received from Ralph Light
Tue, 18 Aug 2015 at 4:45 p.m.

Fine weather could to be blame for a spike in student disciplinary cases in February and March this year, University of Otago proctor Simon Thompson says. ODT 18.8.15

Let’s blame it on the weather then shall we?

Let’s not blame the students for their excessive drinking, after all isn’t it what Dunedin is renowned for and why they’re attracted here? In fact let’s not blame them for anything when they bring $829m into the city every year.

Let’s not blame the authorities for allowing Dunedin to become so disrespected with a sum like that at stake!

Let’s not blame our city bylaws for the proliferation of liquor outlets allowed to operate 16 hours a day back then (it’s now down to 12).

Let’s not blame the Government for not auditing the $1,000 ‘Course Related Fees’ loan, that magically appears in the bank accounts of many full-time students coincidentally over this period. Let’s not blame any student for ignoring it must be paid back – Not when there’s so much fun to be had.

Let’s not blame all the bars for the feeding frenzy that ensues at this time of the year to liberate the newbies of as much of their startup cash as possible. Let’s not blame these drug dealers for successfully arguing to stay open until 3-4am to remain viable, because times are so tough.

Let’s not blame the excessive drinking that’s sanctioned by Police, University, Polytechnic, City Council and St John at the Hyde St party for setting the benchmark for partying like it (only dangerously unsupervised) elsewhere in Dunedin for the rest of the year !

Let’s not blame drunk students for their lawless behaviour when they can rest easy knowing a next day apology will suffice, because “That’s the way we’d rather deal with it.” –Simon Pickford, DCC general manager services and development (Stuff 25.2.15)

Let’s be very clear not to blame the vast majority of Otago Students who study hard, never misbehave and say nothing, as those that do —including their own Student Executive (Critic 9.8.15) give them all a bad name.

Let’s blame the weather then. Damn you Sunshine! What are we in for next Summer?

[ends]

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█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *view street*, *sunday*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *liquor*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud* or *student* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Business owner forcibly removed from Dunedin Central police station

TODAY local businessman Jon Leng, owner of Chapel Apartments at 81 Moray Place, found himself being manhandled / roughed up by police officers as he was shown out of Dunedin Central police station.

Did Our Lovely Police keep any video footage of the incident – WIPED?!?
Oh, three foyer cameras ‘not online’, they said?

Apparently, the moment selected to ‘move on’ Mr Leng coincided with the absence of witnesses in the foyer…. conveniently, the woman receptionist was seen to lower her head (and eyes) for the expulsion.

Hopefully, Otago Daily Times, which Mr Leng visited shortly after the bruising, will run some decent coverage of the ruffled protagonist with his broken ($800) glasses.

Perturbed about the advertised 130-person party (Ball!) at Backpackers, next door at 2 View Street, Mr Leng had visited Dunedin Central to speak to Inspector Melanie Aitken who heads the investigation (into harassment and intimidation of View Street residents) that followed screening of ‘Party Central’ on Sunday TVNZ (10 May 2015).

Because ‘Mel’ Aitken made herself unavailable, Mr Leng decided not to leave Dunedin Central until she met with him. Fair enough.

At some point, however, he was forcibly removed from the station.

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Chapel Apartments, 81 Moray Place [Google Street View]

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### ODT Online Tue, 14 Jul 2015
View St event worries neighbour
By Carla Green
Residents of a notorious Dunedin student party flat have sent a letter to neighbours, saying they are “having a Ball” on Friday but are “really keen to minimise any inconvenience to you”. However, the owner of a neighbouring building, [Jon] Leng, is sceptical the event in the View St flat will be any different from previous parties. […] Mr Leng rents his View St property to short-term tenants, and said every time the student flat held a party in the past, he had to provide refunds.
Read more

█ Download: Ball at Backpackers, letter (PDF, 267 KB)

Note: According to DCC, Backpackers (2 View Street) may host a maximum of 50 people at ‘The Ball’, not the 130 persons invited by tenants.

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Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
● 12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place [2 View Street owner details]
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Unpublished letter to ODT editor —Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ (10 May)

█ Dunedin Police are aware that intimidatory and threatening online messaging is continuing to escalate. Weekend car movements and number plates have been recorded.

—

Received.
Tue, 2 Jun 2015 at 10:57 a.m.

On 29/05/2015, at 12:13 am, Chris wrote:

Dear Mr Kirkness,

I read Timothy Brown’s story today about the harassment of Carol Devine with interest.

The reaction against her has been very revealing. Noah laughs it off but this surely one of the cases of “many a word in jest”.

I am disgusted by the manner in which Ms Devine has been vilified and ridiculed by elements of our community. You have to wonder whether her gender has something to do with it. Whether you agree with that or not, it is hard to escape the conclusion that Ms Devine has been the target of an orchestrated campaign of bullying.

Here I think the ODT has a role to play. A good local paper should serve as the conscience of our community and I think someone needs to hold these people to account. Most of them will be good kids swept up in the latest social media ‘fun’. If the media can get a few of them to stop and consider the hurt that their actions cause then that would be a very good thing.

Sincerely,

Chris [full name withheld]
Dunedin

—

Almost 5000 people showed their intent to “attend” the event, which Mr Williams said showed it was “relatively successful”.

### ODT Online Thu, 28 May 2015
‘Party’ creator says no offence
By Timothy Brown
The creator [Noah Williams] of a Facebook “party” themed on a harassed Dunedin woman says the event is intended to be “harmless” fun and he will happily remove it if it is causing distress. Police have been investigating claims of harassment from a View St resident since she featured on TVNZ’s Sunday programme on May 10, in a segment about student behaviour in the city. A Facebook event named after the woman was posted online and called for people to “have a frothr, [sic] get f… [sic]” later this year.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:
30.5.15 ‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

‘Captive market for addiction maybe or scapegoats?’ asks Otago student

Received from Anon
Fri, 29 May 2015 at 3:56 p.m.

—

█ Critic Editorial | Issue 12
Stereotypical Poison – We’re Bigger Than That
Posted 10:20am Sunday 17 May 2015 by Josie Cochrane
At the time we sent this issue to print, 3300 people had signed a petition demanding an apology from TVNZ for its “biased report on Dunedin students” during the Sunday show over a week ago. TVNZ won’t apologise. What it’s done is no different to what we all do.

Related Posts and Comments:
26.5.15 Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story….
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
9.1.14 Facadism: … University of Otago warps Castle Street
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
24.7.13 University: Leith flood protection scheme and landscaping
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud* or *student* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Student involvement in Dunedin drinking culture

Letter received [click to enlarge]
‎Tue‎, ‎26‎ ‎May‎ ‎2015 at ‎2‎:‎29‎ ‎p.m.

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Related Posts and Comments:
17.5.15 Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
● 11.11.14 Dunedin’s draft local alcohol policy (Lap) —submissions, real story outs
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

Photo: NZ Herald (via newstalkzb.co.nz)

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GinWigmoreVEVO Published on Apr 30, 2015
Gin Wigmore – New Rush (Official Video)
Single ‘New Rush’ from the forthcoming album ‘Blood To Bone’.
Directed by Zachariah de Cairo. Produced by Ranch Hand Entertainment.
Music: “New Rush” by Gin Wigmore (Google Play • iTunes)

UMNZ Uploaded on Feb 25, 2009
Smashproof feat. Gin Wigmore – Brother Official Video
Music: “Brother” by Smashproof (Google Play • iTunes)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Social media messages after Sunday TVNZ (10 May)

WATCH ‘Party Central’
█ Sunday TVNZ http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news

Sunday TVNZ investigator: Libby Middlebrook
Producer: Jane Skinner

—

█ Facebook entries sampled after the ‘wake up’ Sunday TVNZ show – the student’s name and personal gravatar have been removed; Helen Back from City Rise (not Carol Devine featured on camera), responds:

—

Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images – screenshots and text from Sunday TVNZ / ONE News
Facebook entries supplied.

View Street, seen from Moray Place

Google Street View – Dec 2012 [screenshot]

View Street. A heritage street containing historic townhouses (once private family residences, of which only one remains in this use) and apartment buildings. Otago Girls’ High School provides an ‘architectural’ dénouement at the top of street. The church building to Moray Place and View Street has been converted to upmarket apartments.

The infamous 2 View Street (student proof carpet….) is second from right (cream painted facade), a former church hall then backpackers. It was purchased by a Mr Nicolas Beach in 2010. Mr Beach on-sold the property for an artificial profit (don’t ask). From that time it’s been all downhill for other people living on the street —with so little support from city authorities, the property owner (currently, an absentee living in Australia), and the university. It’s called turning a blind eye, passing the buck.

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Quotable Value NZ [screenshot]

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WHO OWNS 2 VIEW STREET
From the DCC Rates Book:

Ratepayer name(s): Ross Maxwell Pty Limited

[oh look, that infamous firm] Postal address for this assessment
C/O Edinburgh Realty Limited PO Box 5772 Moray Place Dunedin 9058

NZ Companies Register:

ROSS MAXWELL PTY LIMITED (5447574) Registered
http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/5447574

Showing 1 of 1 directors:
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

Total Number of Shares: 1
Extensive Shareholding: No
Shareholders in Allocation:
Allocation 1:
1 shares (100.00%)
Ross MAXWELL
55 Abbott Street, Wallsend NSW, 2287, Australia

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Related Posts and Comments:
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD

Did Harls jump on her media bandwagon over a wine or two after she watched Sunday TVNZ’s exposé on binge drinking at Dunedin (10 May).
The programme aired at 7:00 p.m. yesterday. The deadline for ODT’s Monday edition is 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
So did the Otago vice-chancellor see the programme before writing her opinion piece?
Well, not unless the ODT editor worked some sort of marvel of factory production.
Evidently, Harls conspired with the local newspaper to get her illuminatory thoughts in print today, of ALL DAYS. Chess as the television hoedown-showdown hits her university and the city council.

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There is no doubt the footage was disturbing and there is no excuse for the kind of behaviour that was captured in those images. –Hayne

### ODT Online Mon, 11 May 2015
Alcohol law change overdue
By Harlene Hayne
OPINION The Sunday programme last night once again put the spotlight on the University of Otago for alcohol related harm. This time the focus was on the trouble that is caused by some rambunctious, messy and noisy students and other young people in North Dunedin and other parts of the community.
Read more

****

Dunedin is not alone.

### Stuff.co.nz Last updated 09:44, May 4 2015
Editorial: Student binging leaves a bad taste
Source: Dominion Post
OPINION Wellington is more of a student town than it used to be – thousands of tertiary students, attending various institutions, live here. They are a welcome economic boost for the city, and they also add to the life of the place: someone, for instance, has to fill up the city’s famously rich concentration of cafes and bars. By and large, Wellington has not had the trouble with students that some other cities have faced.

Most notoriously, Dunedin’s orientation weeks have often been drunken frenzies of flaming couches and showdowns with police. Wellington’s student body would be more happy with a “massive, street-wide wine and cheese evening”, one Otago wit quipped in 2012 after a particularly riotous Dunedin episode.

So it’s somewhat jarring to discover that, already this year, Victoria University has imposed total alcohol bans at four of its halls of residence after, in the case of the most recent one, excessive drinking, property damage and “overall unacceptable behaviour”. (Some bans have since been lifted).

That’s more than over-indulgence; it’s ugly, anti-social drinking that no-one needs as any kind of life highlight. There is a fine line to be walked here. Tertiary study is often associated with drinking, and some of that is just life – a product of young people leaving home, making decisions for themselves, and revelling in new freedoms. There is no point in being complete wowsers about this, any more than there is in adopting a puritan approach to drinking in New Zealand more generally. Alcohol can be a pleasure, an aide to camaraderie and relaxation. Yet, just as plainly, drinking can be dangerous and miserable – especially among the young. Consuming vast torrents of booze might seem like a game to beginners, but in fact it is hugely risky behaviour – for those who partake, for those who have some responsibility for them, and indeed for anyone they come into contact with.
Read more

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Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: otago.ac.nz – Harlene Hayne (tweaked y whatifdunedin)

Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’

Read it all…

Cr Andrew Whiley as part of the ‘conversation’ gets it completely wrong, due to his own bias.

█ https://www.facebook.com/SundayTVNZ/videos/1029038133773031/

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BROADCAST MEDIA

█ Carol Devine will be interviewed by Jim Mora this afternoon, on RNZ National radio – listen in sometime after 3:40 p.m.

█ ONE News explores the Dunedin issues raised by Sunday TVNZ (10 May) in tonight’s bulletin.

More to come….

Oh yeah, Otago students start a petition !!!
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/TVNZ_Publicly_apologise_for_their_biased_report_on_Dunedin_students/?nEMAJib

—

Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
● 8.5.15 Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Sunday TVNZ #Dunedin —10 May TV1 at 7:00 pm

Updated post Sun, 10 May 2015 at 10:50 p.m.

WATCH
█ Sunday TVNZ http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news 10 May

Sunday TVNZ investigator: Libby Middlebrook
Producer: Jane Skinner

—

Sunday TVNZ 30-second promos started from 8pm Thursday….

Separate online promo on Sunday TVNZ Facebook page and Sunday webpage:
http://tvnz.co.nz/sunday-news/dunedin-student-hovel-do-you-live-like-video-6309030 [the student flat in Castle Street that we filmed inside]

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Related Posts and Comments:
12.5.15 View Street, seen from Moray Place
11.5.15 Don’t for Chrissakes play down effects of liquor barons #DUD
11.5.15 Aftermath of Sunday TVNZ on ‘Party Central’
2.4.15 University rolls down, Harlene not the only problem….
28.3.15 University of Otago landscaping
22.3.15 University of Otago: More national and global publicity #HydeStreet
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
8.5.14 Student Proof Carpet – New Zealand #video
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

█ For more, enter the terms *university*, *harlene*, *alcohol*, *publicity*, *hyde*, *party*, *octagon mud*, *student*, or *blaikie* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images – screenshots and text from Sunday TVNZ / ONE News

University of Otago landscaping

[NOT about Hyde street Keg Party and damage to an emergency response vehicle – the timing of this facelift announcement isn’t subtle]

—

UNI NEWS via Otago Bulletin
Major landscaping project will enhance the Dunedin campus

Friday, 27 March 2015

Landscaping plans include “town square” outside Staff Club

From early April, university staff will start to see works underway as part of a landscaping project to give the grounds of the Dunedin campus a major facelift. But the benefits are promising to be very much worthwhile for both staff and students alike, with new paving, outdoor seats, trees, LED lighting, signage and improved shelter within a large area located between the northern end of the Richardson Building, and the intersection of Castle and Dundas Streets.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne says the intention is to vastly improve access to known sunny, sheltered sitting areas for staff, students and visitors; to replace paving that has come to the end of its life with safer materials; and to create new outdoor sitting, walking and recreational areas to improve the visual linking between spaces on the campus.

The area outside the St David Café is the first in line for a facelift. The project will be underway from early next month, beginning with work on the St David Café courtyard.

The overall project is to include the replacement of old drainage with new drains in parts of the central campus, on behalf of the Dunedin City Council. Also, major works completed last year when the West bank of the Leith outside the Clocktower was lowered for flood protection purposes had resulted in a substantial visual change requiring further improvements.

Professor Hayne believes the enhancements are necessary and important, and they will further benefit what is already a stunning campus environment.

“We want to both maintain and enhance our well-known advantage as one of the world’s most beautiful campuses in which to work and study.”

“We want to both maintain and enhance our well-known advantage as one of the world’s most beautiful campuses in which to work and study. This is an exciting and innovative project that further capitalises on the potential here for greater outdoor utilisation of our beautiful, green areas, and spaces such as the north end of the Richardson building, where people have traditionally liked to sit because it is so sheltered and sunny. We will be using quality materials, timbers, and real blue-stone that blends in with our heritage buildings. We want this development to stand the test of time.”

Professor Hayne is mindful that this is a major task, and that there will be disruption to staff and students as work progresses. Information signs will be erected, and work will progress with as few interruptions and as little noise as possible. The University aims to have the project completed by the end of January 2016. Staff and students will receive regular updates as work patterns change via the Bulletin Board.

Highlights of the landscaping project include:

• The creation of an enclosed courtyard allowing for a more well-defined and better sheltered seating area outside St David café, with low bluestone walls.

• A new paved ‘town square’ outside the Staff Club in the area known as the Castle Walk. This will involve the relocation of some memorial trees, and the removal of others that arborists have said have come to the end of their natural life. An artwork (to be commissioned) will feature in the middle of this new square, as well as seating.

• A new entranceway and Oamaru stone University sign at the entrance to the University from Castle Street, near the Centre for Innovation, and also a new sign on top of blue-stone and caste iron fencing at the entrance to Castle Street from Dundas Street.

• Castle Street in the section housing Selwyn and the new University Childcare Centre, Te Pā, will be re-paved, with wider footpaths, and bike racks. The area will become more bike-friendly, with adjustments to parking spaces, and more trees. The street will be raised to be level with the footpath, with more trees added.

• The newly created concrete steps on the new embankment leading down to the Leith Stream opposite the Clocktower will have railings, and improved safety adjustments, while matured specimen trees will be added to increase shade and improve visual values.

• The tiled walkway over the Union St bridge will be re-paved in high-quality durable pavers, and there will be seismic strengthening underneath the bridge.

• Further extensive new landscaping with trees, seating and paving, as well as wider walkways and steps, will be installed in the area that runs east of the Union Street bridge, up past the Archway Lecture theatres, and around to the front of Allen Hall where Theatre Studies is housed.

• A community garden with fruit trees will be cultivated between the villas at the University end of Castle Street; and also rain gardens planted with native grasses added throughout the newly-developed area.

• In total, there will be about 15,000 square metres of paving replaced or re-laid.

• No changes are planned for the grass bank and historic mature trees directly in front of the Clocktower.

█ http://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/otago089520.html

More: The Campus Landscape

28.3.15 ODT: $8 million facelift for university
Next month, the University of Otago will embark on a 21-month multimillion-dollar landscaping project to transform Dunedin’s campus.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Surprise!* Farry’s f.u.b.a.r. Stadium not attracting first year Efts

BLUNDER CITY #DUD —AND THE STADIUM REVIEW AIN’T NO HELP

Ivy League Assaults: Dumber and Dumber due to UE failure, drunkenness, fires, civil disorder, better campus and study offerings up north and overseas?

AWAIT UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO PRONOUNCEMENTS AFTER THE MARCH MEETING OF THE HALLOWED UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

A ‘PUBLIC RELATIONS EPIC’ IS EXPECTED

### ODT Online Tue, 10 Mar 2015
University roll worry realised
By Timothy Brown
Fears of University of Otago first-year student numbers falling for the first time since 2011 appear to be realised, with “serious” vacancies at Knox College and Salmond College. About 10% of beds at the two non-university run colleges remain vacant and the Otago University Students’ Association revealed, earlier this year, the University of Otago could face a drop in first-year student numbers.
Read more

Both Knox and Salmond have undergone recent building upgrades and provide excellent pastoral care in quiet settings – who then, would choose a university-owned rough-house college if you were serious about career education.

What sort of undergrad student is the University of Otago attracting nowadays? Party animals? Generation Zero lefties? Discount ivy-leaguers (Kiwi-Asian style)? And how come accommodation at college halls is so steep? It’s an obscene weekly cost if mummy and daddy aren’t paying, so yes, way better(?) to camp out in the grunge and gunge flats of Studentville —or hey, move up the hill to sink the tone of City Rise, look at all those “historic-kick-apart” villas and mansions, incredibly suited to Face Book parties and upsetting middle class owner-occupiers next door. Cripes, at each former family or professional home there’s room to park “6 cars!”, yes, the cash-cow landlords will happily (just ask) destroy established 100-year-old plantings and gardens to lay down asphalt.

Welcome to ‘Absolutely Beautiful’, Dunedin. Welcome to the student ghettos, the broken streetscapes…. smashed bottles, lingering trash, burnt furniture, bouncing basketballs (all hours, Really Dumb like that), drying vomit and worse, weeds, untrimmed trees and hedges, a few kicked-in fences, more asphalt, flaking paint at once proud residences, stickering with satellite dishes and heat pumps, strings of poorly washed laundry draping house fronts. But who can forget the “Dunedin Sound”, of nights, drunken male yahoos, uncoordinated white trash hakas and ‘young girl’ screams, passion or torture, hard to tell. 111.

THIS is, Dunedin FOR Education.
Student loans FOR Banks and Slum Landlords.
Google Images: “castle street hyde street dunedin”

And Harlene, next! Frat Life starts in on St Leonards – just a quick ride from your Ivy League of diminished offerings, that overpriced BA, BCom or BSc.

—

Related Posts and Comments:
18.2.15 University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video
16.2.15 University of Otago can’t beat broadcast news and social media #image
18.12.14 University of Otago —um Harlene, what you sellin’ now, girl?
12.8.14 Cameras in North Dunedin
1.8.14 University Partyville, North Dunedin: Put the cameras in ~!!
16.7.14 Stadium: Out of the mouths of uni babes…. #DVML
30.4.14 Octagon mud
22.3.14 Dunedin North care less filthy slum
19.3.14 Dunedin North drunks
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
25.3.13 UoO: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder in Dunedin campus area
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.2.12 Salvation Army: The Growing Divide
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it
9.11.11 DCC has PR problem

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University of Otago: Toga Party 2015 #video

OMG —fubar stadium (barely seen) has a use, plays second fiddle to Vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne dressed in hot pink, buffeted by excited teens. Watch.

Otago Daily Times Published on Feb 17, 2015
Toga Party 2015
First year University of Otago students head to the annual Toga Party at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

****

### ODT Online Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Hundreds gather at Toga Party
Otago University Students’ Association communications manager Tess Trotter said about 2200 people attended the 2015 Toga Party at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night. The event acted as a “test run” for the other events coming up this week and “everything has gone really smoothly”, she said.
Read more + Slideshow

### ODT Online Wed, 18 Feb 2015
Comedy gig stands out from social haze
As part of O Week’s celebrations, a live filming of the TV show 7 Days will be recorded tonight at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University of Otago —um Harlene, what you sellin’ now, girl?

Perhaps you shoulda stopped at the ballet boys. Or dropped the watery “Hello”. But if you’re REALLY good, Santa will bring you some kiwi elocution lessons to rid the ‘broad-ness’.

University of Otago Published on Dec 14, 2014

Selwyn Ballet and Vice-Chancellor’s Christmas Greeting
Watch a day in the life of members of the University of Otago’s Selwyn Ballet troupe, followed by a Christmas message from the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne.

First convened in 1928, the Selwyn Ballet is the second oldest amateur ballet troupe in the world, and certainly the oldest all-male one. It began as a Capping Show performance intended to take-off popular London musicals of the time but by 1937 the ballet had become a tradition of Selwyn College and more of a spoof of classical ballet. The Selwyn Ballet has also performed prior to international rugby matches at the Dunedin stadium.

http://selwyn.ac.nz/discover/heritage-and-traditions

****

All preceded by the University’s Scrooge message at ODT yesterday:

“The university would prefer to take extra time to ensure planning, design, estimates and approvals are carried out to a very high standard.”
–Barry MacKay, Property Services

### ODT Online Wed, 17 Dec 2014
University delays building
By Vaughan Elder
The University of Otago has delayed the start of construction on two of the largest buildings in its more than $600 million building programme.
Construction on both the replacement dental school – previously estimated to cost between $50 million and $100 million – and science precinct redevelopment were scheduled to begin next year, but have now been delayed until early 2016, dependent on completion of designs, and approval by the university council.
Read more

● It was possible the Portobello Aquarium and Commerce Building redevelopment would start next year.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University Partyville, North Dunedin: Put the cameras in ~!!

“We’ve earned the right to live away from home and live by ourselves and do what we want and I don’t think we should be baby-sat or monitored,” Ms Walker said. Students “should be able to be stupid on the weekend” and the situation had improved from previous years. –Maddy Walker (21), student

“If you look at the costs to city council every year of holes burnt in Leith St, Hyde St, Dundas St … some years it’s been $600,000.” –Cr Lee Vandervis

### ODT Online Fri, 1 Aug 2014
Call for north end cameras
By Vaughan Elder
A Dunedin city councillor is calling for video surveillance of the student quarter as a way of preventing out-of-control vandalism. The call for surveillance from Cr Lee Vandervis was not welcomed by north end residents and students spoken to yesterday, who said such a move would be an invasion of privacy. Cr Vandervis said video surveillance in the Octagon worked well and there was no reason why it could not be successfully employed in North Dunedin. “I believe we need to have some cameras up and we need to have a few prosecutions.”
Read more

Related Posts and Comments:
16.7.14 Stadium: Out of the mouths of uni babes…. #DVML
22.3.14 Dunedin North care less filthy slum
19.3.14 Dunedin North drunks
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
19.8.13 Cull on senility (firing up graduates)
31.5.13 University of Otago development plans
25.3.13 University of Otago: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder…
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Images: (from top) stuff.co.nz, stuff.co.nz, wikimedia.org – North Dunedin

McLauchlan replies! #handsalloverit #UoOteamofthree

ODT 1.7.14 Letter to the editor (page 8)

****

### ODT Online Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Dunedin is ‘the laughing stock of the country’
By Vaughan Elder
Dunedin is a “laughing stock” over a proposal to launch an independent airline, Dunedin International Airport Ltd chairman Stuart McLauchlan says. Otago Air had no chance of getting off the ground, he said.
Read more

### ODT Online Fri, 20 Jun 2014
City’s mentality praised
By David Loughrey
The Dunedin City Council and the Otago Regional Council should get together to underwrite air services to Dunedin, an aviation expert says. Former University of Otago air transport research director Dr David Duval said Otago Air was a great Dunedin idea, but not one anybody should go ahead with.
Read more

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[steering/connected/influential ??]

Related Posts and Comments:
20.5.14 Tim Hunter on Ward, McLauchlan, Hayne #Highlanders
15.5.14 Stadium (fubar): cringe
31.3.14 Audit services to (paying) local bodies #FAIL ● AuditNZ ● OAG…
25.3.14 Delta blues . . . and Easy Rider
20.3.14 Delta: Report from Office of the Auditor-General
27.2.14 Stadium: a conversation
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
2.10.13 Greater Dunedin caucus arrives
6.8.13 Busted hacks! Media rates Cull and shiny-arsed suit brigade
15.7.13 Leave Otago white collar criminals ALONE, and other unfairness
[comment] 6.5.13 Elizabeth re ‘consultants and dunedin city council and sfc’
15.12.12 Perspective: stadium turmoil outweighs arts festival failure
10.12.12 Proposed hotel, 41 Wharf St – “LEARNING FROM LAS VEGAS”
20.11.12 DCC vs Anzide Properties decision: The road “has no legal basis”
12.11.12 Delta purchases | Vandervis OAG complaint accepted
26.10.12 DCHL: New directors for Aurora, Delta, City Forests
12.10.12 DCHL, subsidiaries and DCTL
30.8.12 DCC seen by Fairfax Business Bureau deputy editor Tim Hunter
14.6.12 Silence on debt run up at ORFU black-tie dinner
9.6.12 City Property to compete more obviously in the market…
8.5.12 Owners of neglected buildings
29.3.12 Dunedin City Council company sponsors Highlanders
15.3.12 Message To ORFU Creditors, if you want to see your money
4.3.12 Tartan Mafia
17.2.12 Does the insolvent ORFU deserve any more community support?
28.10.11 DVML, DVL and DCHL annual reports
16.10.09 Highlanders news

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Tim Hunter on Ward, McLauchlan, Hayne #Highlanders

Sunday Star-Times 18.5.14, Business (page D7)

● Tim Hunter is deputy editor, Auckland Business Bureau at Fairfax Media.

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Comment received at What if? Dunedin

Anonymous
Submitted on 2014/05/18 at 3:54 pm

Connect the dots

McLauchlan -> Project Delivery Team -> Carisbrook Stadium Trust
McLauchlan -> Delta -> Otago Highlanders
McLauchlan -> University of Otago -> Otago Highlanders
McLauchlan -> Dunedin Casino -> Earl Hagaman -> SH88
McLauchlan -> SDHB -> Southlink Health dispute
McLauchlan -> Dunedin Casino -> Trevor Scott -> Chris Swann -> Christine Keenan

Related Posts and Comments:
15.5.14 Stadium (fubar): cringe
9.4.14 Privatising Highlanders involves DCC (ratepayer funds?)
► 25.3.14 Delta blues . . . and Easy Rider [on managing COI]
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
11.12.13 Highlanders “Buy Us” entertainment: Obnoxious, noxious PROFESSIONAL RUGBY —stay away DCC !!!
29.3.12 Dunedin City Council company sponsors Highlanders
14.12.11 [David] Davies “in the middle of a conversation” – how to fudge DVML, DCC, ORFU and Highlanders
22.12.09 DCC appoints Highlanders’ Board representative
1.7.09 NZRU swings governance of Highlanders
28.5.09 Highlanders board less Farry

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Dunedin North care less filthy slum

—– Original Message —–
From: Jeff Dickie
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 5:45 PM
Subject: Sunday in the slums of North Dunedin

Hi Elizabeth, your comments re the new hotel [“Cull’s Cockup”, the new “Farry’s Folly”] are very good and congratulations on the National Radio coverage.

In the next day or so I’d like to post something on your Whatif site regarding the implications of the DCC neglecting core business and services. We’ve watched as the North End has transformed from an integrated community combining residents and students to an intensely populated and filthy slum. Largely as a result of poor planning by the DCC and University. I took these photos on Sunday, 16 March.

While Dave preens himself in front of the mirror and is distracted by the latest snake oil salesmen, there are some very serious social issues developing.

Regards, Jeff

—

George Street

Castle Street

—

Related Post and Comments:
19.3.14 Dunedin North drunks
15.2.14 University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene
10.2.14 University of Otago major sponsor for Highlanders
25.3.13 University of Otago: NEGATIVE PRESS: Weekly disorder…
20.2.12 University of Otago student orientation
17.12.11 Stadium + Cull love = University of Otago + OUSA party
23.11.11 Judge Oke Blaikie finally said it

For more, enter *university* or *campus* in the search box at right.

Dunedin North drunks

Mr Gable stressed not all the partygoers exhibited bad behaviour, with others trying to calm the more aggressive young men.

### ODT Online Wed, 19 Mar 2014
Man attacked by St Patrick’s revellers
By Hamish McNeilly
A Dunedin man says he had his shirt ripped, glasses pulled off his face and his car’s wing mirror yanked off after he confronted drunken St Patrick’s Day revellers who were urinating on his property. Walking from work to his Malvern St home, Chris Gable encountered a large crowd of green-clad revellers in the area of the former Woodhaugh Hotel, about 5pm on Monday. […] He later had to leave the property, and while he was away, his neighbour, Jeff Dickie found an estimated 40 people on Mr Gable’s section, including some bouncing on his trampoline and others urinating on his property.
Read more

****

Figures released under the Official Information Act show the Fire Service recorded 586 nuisance fires in the North Dunedin student area between February 20, 2009, and February 20, 2014. Of those, 179 were recorded last year – compared with 77 in 2009.

### ODT Online Wed, 19 Mar 2014
Student fires dampened
By Hamish McNeilly
Nuisance fires in the student quarter hit a five-year high last year, with Castle St the area’s top hot spot. To dampen fire threats, the Fire Service, police, University of Otago and Dunedin City Council have taken a zero tolerance approach to such fires in the city. Fire Service East Otago area manager Laurence Voight said that approach, coupled with fire prevention activities during Orientation Week appeared to have ”reduced the unwanted behaviour”.
Read more

—

Meanwhile Vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne, on advice received from the likes of Stuart McLauchlan and John Ward (did we mention Mayor Cull?), ‘decides’ the University of Otago should sponsor, yes, the ‘drinking culture’ that attends a professional but barely coherent and losing rugby team, The Highlanders. Some things are cumulative by fragile branding connection… a marketing marriage borne in heaven: A GREAT EXAMPLE TO ALL. This, a ‘subtle’ buttering device, before the DCC’s Stadium gets offloaded to the University for nothing, and Hail Mary/Harlene! the University doesn’t have to pay rates.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Stadium: a conversation

(tonight at What if?)

Anonymous:
Ask Harlene: how well-developed is the university plan to acquire the stadium? As in “take it off your hands no trouble Guv” as opposed to buy it for book value. Just asking.

Elizabeth:
Ask the winkler Stuart McLauchlan.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

University of Otago: Starter questions for Harlene

Updating . . .

Anonymous is asking questions of University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne, and threatening to make this a weekly feature. What if? happily and loosely accommodates regular questions so long as they’re narly.

—

There’s the big question about university sponsorship of the Highlanders. Understandably, this leads to questions for our bluestocking about her appropriateness or not for the role of vice-chancellor, turning on research, teaching and funding priorities, marketing, and decision-making processes within the local ivy league.

Who is Harlene Hayne?
She is a psychology researcher by training, and her work has focused on field memory development in infants, children, adolescents and adults. Prof Hayne was born in Oklahoma, raised in Colorado, and earned degrees at Colorado College and Rutgers University. She was recruited to the University of Otago after doing a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University. With a decade of teaching at Otago under her belt, Prof Hayne recently assumed the University’s Vice-Chancellorship. She is the first woman selected to lead the institution in its 142-year history. Outside the University, she sits on the Innovation Board of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, and serves as co-chair of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Committee Working Party on Reducing Social and Psychological Morbidity during Adolescence.

University Announcement: Professor Harlene Hayne to lead Otago and becomes first woman Vice-Chancellor of New Zealand’s first university. Link

Channel 9 (now Ch39) February 10, 2011 – 7:21pm
Prof Harlene Hayne is both excited and passionate about the prospect of her new role as Vice-Chancellor. She talks candidly about her hopes and aspirations for the future. Video

—

Anonymous
February 11, 2014 at 5:14 pm
Ask Harlene about senior managers from University Union getting tickets/trips to All Blacks tests and whether or not Frucor still makes loyalty payments.

Anonymous
February 15, 2014 at 11:57 am
Ask Harlene, 15/2/2014 (this will be a weekly feature)
How many staff are being made redundant from Marketing and Communications? What are the proposed retrenchments in the current year? Have any staff been threatened with termination for non-performance on medical grounds?

Anonymous
February 16, 2014 at 6:53 pm
Ask Harlene, 16/2/2014
Do you approve?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152222730813139

—

2014 Orientation Hyde Street Fire. Video by Critic – Te Arohi 15.2.14
[screenshots by whatifdunedin]

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: Harlene Hayne with longer hair… re-imaged by whatifdunedin

Stadium: ‘Business case for DVML temporary seating purchase’

Information supplied.

Two historical LGOIMA requests about the so-called business case for the temporary seating at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

And a quick look at Roger Clark, general manager for The Highlanders.

The Vice-Chancellor needs to be careful who she gets into bed with.

—

From: Bev Butler
Sent: Tuesday, 20 December 2011 03:44 p.m.
To: Sandy Graham [DCC]
Subject: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase

Wednesday 21st December 2011

Dear Sandy

At the Finance, Strategy and Development committee meeting last Monday 12th December 2011, questions were asked by Cr Lee Vandervis about the $1.4m loan DVML received re the temporary seating purchase.
David Davies, CEO of DVML, mentioned a business case had been prepared for this purchase. I requested a copy from DVML but David Davies suggested I request a copy from the DCC.
Therefore, I request an electronic copy of the document containing the business case.

Yours sincerely
Bev Butler

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From: Sandy Graham [DCC]
To: Bev Butler
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2012 15:16:05 +1200
Subject: RE: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase

Dear Bev

Please find attached the document that as best I can determine, is the business case for the purchase of the temporary seating.

Sandy

Document download: tempseats

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Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 08:33:59 +1200
Subject: FW: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase
From: Lee Vandervis
To: Bev Butler

Ta Bev,

FYI as below,
Lee

—— Forwarded Message
From: Lee Vandervis
Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2012 08:32:42 +1200
To: Sandy Graham [DCC], David Davies [DVML]
Conversation: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase
Subject: FW: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase

Hi Sandy, David,

I have asked the question as to whether Warbirds are using the seating this year, and told apparently not.
Can you confirm that the seating has definitely not been used, and if possible why it has not been used.

Kind regards,
Lee

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From: Bev Butler
To: Lee Vandervis
Subject: RE: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 09:07:49 +1200

Hi Lee

Interesting that the Warbirds are not using the seating.
When I received the business plan yesterday, the first thing I thought of was to ask for the invoice from the Warbirds to see if the $177,000 matched up.
From your query below it sounds like they are not using the seating at all.
Note on the business case I sent you it states the source of the Warbirds information is R. Clark, Warbirds CEO.
It could be interesting to contact him and ask if he had made a commitment to use the seating.
Alternatively, ask DCC/DVML what sort of commitment was in place when DVML used the $177,000 for their business case.

Cheers
Bev

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[Roger Clark and Highlanders]

From: Bev Butler
To: Lee Vandervis
Subject: FW: LGOIMA request: Business case for the DVML temporary seating purchase
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2012 09:55:41 +1200

Hi Lee

Just did a google search on Roger Clark.
He is the CEO of Warbirds over Wanaka:
email roger @ warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz
Ph 0274 301 389
How about giving him a call?
He was also re-appointed as CEO of Rugby Southland in 2008 until Dec 2011 but departed prior to 9/12/10.
He is also the General Manager of The Highlanders.
It was reported in The Southland Times on 9/12/10 “The Rugby Southland Union owes money to various businesses, including its major funder the Invercargill Licensing Trust where the booze tab is believed to be more than $100,000.”

Cheers
bev

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[Roger Clark appointments with Highlanders]

Project manager
14.5.10 ODT Rugby: Highlanders get NZRU help

General manager
11.10.10 Stuff Sport Roger Clark appointed Highlanders GM

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[Roger Clark and Southland Rugby Union]

Southland Times:

9.12.10 Rugby Southland still losing money
[Excerpts] Since then The Southland Times has learned the union owes money to various businesses, including its major funder the Invercargill Licensing Trust where the booze tab is believed to be more than $100,000.
Departed Rugby Southland boss Roger Clark said the union had operated at a loss this year but everyone would be paid in the coming weeks, which always happened at this time of the year, he said.
Clark said the board had budgeted for a $200,000 loss this year to ensure the Stags would be a competitive unit in such a big year.
It is expected the loss will be bigger than that $200,000 mark when it is revealed at next year’s general meeting in April.

1.1.11 Southland rugby union runs out of cash
Rugby Southland is broke after a season of overspending. The union owes about $700,000 to creditors, with no ability to pay, and is forecasting a deficit between $350,000 and $478,000 for the 2010 financial year.

23.3.11 $1.5 million bailout for Rugby Southland

30.4.13 Income decline sets back union recovery
A major reduction in sponsorship dollars and gate takings had Rugby Southland scrambling last year to avoid another financial disaster.
In 2012, Rugby Southland lost more than $800,000 in sponsorship revenue, $230,000 in gate takings and $611,000 in grants.

18.11.13 Stadium takeover is costly for city
Saving the home of the Southland Stags comes with a hefty price tag for ratepayers.

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: odt.co.nz – Roger Clark, re-imaged by Whatifdunedin