Author Archives: Lee Vandervis

Dunedin is over-reliant on Central Government funded institutions like the Hospital and the University. Especially as Government funding tends to go to marginal Parliamentary seats up north…

See next post above for what has actually happened after the big Stadium debt blow-out, in the latest DCC debt graph.

War – what it is good for? – absolutely nothin’. So sang Edwin Starr in the 1970s #1 hit single which added to pressure on the US Government to withdraw its forces from Vietnam. But the simple appeal of the … Continue reading →

60 of 67 Councils voted to opt out of the 3 Waters takeover when this Labour government misled us into thinking we had a choice. Now 10 regional entities instead of the earlier tribal 4, still with 50% Maori governance, … Continue reading →

I have long advocated leaving Local Government NZ for the reasons Brown gives but also because they have degenerated into excusing Central Government excesses like forcing 3 Waters ‘reform’ on Councils when 60 of 67 Councils voted to opt out … Continue reading →

“Vandervis’ growth comparisons draw criticism” ODT 9/3/23 A more informative headline would have been ‘Councillors in denial as Vandervis lists lagging economic indicators’ From our factual Infometrics agenda I quoted a long list of graphically highlighted facts showing Dunedin lagging … Continue reading →

It appears that Mr Ford, “kaituitui, or community connector for the Disability Issues Advisory Group” had not consulted Group representatives before making a personal complaint to Council about my appointment as Chair of the Disabilities Group as reported in the … Continue reading →

I accepted Mayor Radich’s suggested extra role of Chair of the Disabilities Group because of my 18 years experience as the father of a severely disabled autistic son and being part of the disabled support organisations community. This seems not … Continue reading →

Lee Vandervis Shared with Public We may never know what made Jacinda jump or who emptied her tank, but Chris Trotter’s 3 Waters insights hint at part of what has been going down. Chris Trotter: Blowing off the froth – … Continue reading →

Who would have dreamed that a hundred+ year old American 14 litre fire-engine could be rebodied into a 100mph+ racing car, and today took off from our Octagon for the 69th Dunedin to Brighton Veteran Car Run? Thanks to all … Continue reading →

Against DCC modeled predictions, a net loss of 2,000 people voted with their feet to leave Dunedin for other parts of NZ last year, when the rest of NZ population is growing at 1%. We need to know why: to … Continue reading →

The world of long-predicted rapidly rising interest rates and inflation is upon us… Opportunities to reduce Dunedin City Council vulnerability are still available. – my personal view.

The vast majority of Council voted for the new revision of the DCC 2006 Maori MoU. In my view the vast majority of Dunedin citizens would not have approved had they been given the chance to know what this new … Continue reading →

The Inaugural Council meeting went like a well-scripted Coronation, with the only departure being an embarrassing motion from Cr. Laufiso and the now gang of four wanting to modify Councillor pay rates to a different unequal range on a claimed … Continue reading →