Author Archives: Lee Vandervis - lee@vandervision.co.nz

Former Wanganui mayor Michael Laws, not one to withhold his views especially with matters pertaining to local government, has got straight on the front foot here with his views on LG since his announcement as candidate for the New Zealand … Continue reading →

Government has said that the new Local Unitary Councils must combine at least 2 existing Councils and have more than 200,000 people to get new efficiencies of scale. For Dunedin that means an Otago/Southland Super Council. Many Mayors and Councillors … Continue reading →

I have long supported Cr. Simms attempts to stall this massive possibly unnecessary expenditure by arguing that Dunedin may be better served by using existing landfills for problematic putrescent waste by using AB Lime’s facility in Winton and/or Taiko Landfill … Continue reading →

I have been trying to get ORC and DCC to specify larger Mosgiel culvert, driveway and drainage pipe sizes increased over many years, but been unsuccessful. Clearing mudtanks and pipe entrances has improved in South Dunedin but still been patchy … Continue reading →

Minister of Local Government Simon Watts has obviously been watching DCC climate alarmism used to railroad a shortlist of 3 similar South Dunedin Futures – all requiring the destruction of 1,100+ homes, Billion$+ cost to make room for wetlands and … Continue reading →

I issued the warning on the first day that my print copy was available, [see previous post photo] when there was time to split it up. CEO and Mayor said NO. This is just one way that important agendas with … Continue reading →

From: Lee Vandervis <lee@vandervision.co.nz>Date: Friday, 19 June 2026 at 8:11 PMTo: Sandy Graham <Sandy.Graham@dcc.govt.nz>Cc: Sophie Barker <Sophie.Barker@dcc.govt.nz>; Council 2025-2028 (Elected Members) <council.2025-2028@dcc.govt.nz>; Scott MacLean <Scott.MacLean@dcc.govt.nz>; David Ward <David.Ward@dcc.govt.nz>; Ruby Shaw <ruby.shaw@alliedmedia.co.nz>; Grant Miller <Grant.miller@odt.co.nz>Subject: Re: Railroading of Council decisions by DCC Staff using 26/06/26 Agenda Dear … Continue reading →

ODT Wednesday, 3 June 2026 Limiting voting rights ‘slap in the face’ for iwi – Ellison By Ruby Shaw and Matthew Littlewood full story subscribed only. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/limiting-voting-rights-slap-face-iwi Regional council chairwoman Hillary Calvert said, in her view, the proposal ‘‘supports democratic … Continue reading →

I have been asked to provide a lay language version of Dr Hamlin’s Debt Opinion Piece as below, so ChatGPT suggests this: DCC debt: why the borrowing cap matters Dunedin City Council Group debt is rising fast. The graph shows … Continue reading →

DCC Debt –The Local Government Funding Authority is now the final line of defense On May 21st an ODT article noted that Dunedin City Treasury Ltd. wants the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), to lift a borrowing cap so that … Continue reading →

You could build four small houses for that. My full opinion to the ODT: Hi Grant, I am most uncomfortable with the spending of $2.1 million on the titivation of the Civic Centre second floor. This DCC second-floor spend echo’s … Continue reading →

The two unsustainable debt monsters that drive rates increases were clearly shown in the DCC Finance and Performance meeting agenda graph yesterday, so I highlighted them with a felt pen.

Clear answers to good questions in my view. Just 6 minutes.   :<)

Best to drop your voting paper in supermarket orange bins or go to the DCC Octagon Civic Centre where you can vote even without your papers before the Tuesday 12th noon deadline.

Today’s ODT front page highlights unaffordable financial and Heritage risk to Dunedin if central government changes our earthquake risk from Low to Medium. There has never been an earthquake fatality or injury issue in Dunedin. Cr. Lund and by-election candidate … Continue reading →

Extension of bus stop would deplete city amenity: Vandervis A DUNEDIN city councillor has criticised a decision to spend up to $25,000 extending a bus stop over safety concerns, saying it will deplete centre-city ‘‘amenity’’ A raft of parking changes … Continue reading →

Shift stadium focus: Vandervis MATTHEW LITTLEWOOD Lee Vandervis DUNEDIN City Councillor Lee Vandervis is calling for the city to shift its aspirations for the stadium, after the sudden departure of its boss. Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Paul Doorn … Continue reading →

In my view the best available candidate to get much needed common sense and local government management experience is Jo Galer. The ad below is from Saturday’s ODT.

My full email to the ODT responding to figures just released of DCC staff credit-card spending. From: Lee Vandervis <lee@vandervision.co.nz>Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at 3:00 PMTo: Grant Miller <grant.miller@odt.co.nz>, Mayor <mayor@dcc.govt.nz>, Cherry Lucas <cherry.lucas@dcc.govt.nz>Subject: Re: Local Government Official Information request – 1273766 – Sensitive … Continue reading →

Shared with Public Co-Chairs of DCC Finance & Performance Committee respond to Cr Simms’ suggestion of a special workshop and to 6 months of Cr. Ong’s claims to have a ‘secret formula’ and ‘new innovations’ to deal with DCC planned … Continue reading →