News

David Cull decisively won the Dunedin Mayoral race, while student-friendly Aaron Hawkins narrowly missed out on a Council seat, in the recent local elections.

Two-term mayor of Dunedin Peter Chin failed to get the support of the populace in the elections, and was soundly beaten by Dunedin writer and one-time Councillor Cull. 
   Cull took the election with 22 832 votes, leaving Chin trailing in second on 14 453. Third was Lee Vandervis with 6 692 votes, and fourth went to Hawkins with 1 745 votes. 
   Cull has taken up the mantle of Mayor, and has already begun the rhetoric of change. 
   "I didn't get the mandate I did to keep things that same as they are," he told the ODT. 
   His first job in the role of top dog is to decide on who will be his deputy, and who will head the various committees. “The big challenge is to consult with councillors," he says. That would involve discussion and negotiation with councillors, as he wanted to be sure the Council would approve of his recommendations.
   The inaugural meeting of the new Council will be on the 26 October, and Cull’s recommendations for deputy and chairperson will go before a Council vote at that meeting. 
   Cull, in his election campaign, promised much to students, with a particular focus on refurbishing North Dunedin and increasing the quality of student housing, which has come under scrutiny this year. 
   It will be interesting to see how Cull intends to pay for a North Dunedin upgrade, given the city is already building a new stadium and the ratepayers seem to have a disfavourable view of Scarfies.
   One of Cull’s ideas to rectify this relationship between town and gown is to reintroduce the annual Toga Parade. 
   Tragically, Hawkins narrowly missed out on a seat on the Central Ward Council by only 500 votes, denying him the opportunity to be the youngest member on the Council.
   Chin was reportedly relieved at the results, despite having expressed a desire to serve another term. The six years in office had taken its toll on the outgoing Mayor, and after what he perceived as a negative campaign, the ODT reported he was ready to leave.
   "What I'm looking for is my own time, my own space," Chin said.
   He was also keen to stress that he was happy with what achieved in his role as Mayor for Dunedin: "There has got to be recognition out there that Dunedin has achieved a whole lot of things."
   During the campaign, almost every opposition candidate heavily criticised Chin and his Council over the last six years, emphasising the need to replace him. Chin felt this was an entirely negative approach to his Council. "Sure there are things that are controversial, that some don't like, but by and large, the city has done well." 
   Mayor-elect David Cull has indicated there may be a place for Chin helping to foster the relationship Dunedin has with its sister city Shanghai. 
   Chin leaves behind a tenuous relationship with Otago students, especially since his stance on the fallout from the notorious Undie 500 riots. It will be interesting to see if Cull fairs any better. When contacted by Critic Cull claimed he was too busy to answer questions regarding student issues.
   Whatever his performance, expect many Cull-related puns in Critic next year.