Local Body Elections 2026 Mini-Mag

issuesthatmattertoyou.Yourvoteisachance toshapethecityyoulivein.

Kiakaha, TheOUSAExecutive

LOCAL GOV.101 FAQS

WHAT IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT?

The purpose of Local Government is to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of communities in the present and for the future.

Local Government is split between the Dunedin City Council (DCC) and the Otago Regional Council (ORC). The DCC provides services that we rely on everyday like city planning, liquor licensing, public parks and, yes, they empty your overflowing bins. The ORC is responsible for natural resources management, biodiversity, and regional public transport

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Dunedin is a student city, but if students don’t vote, councils don’t listen. If you’ve ever moaned about flats, buses, or George Street, that’s a Local Government issue. Voting is how you change it. In the 2022 Local Body Election national turnout for those aged between 18-25 was 42% compared to 70% for those aged 56-65. Just think how different Dunedin could be if those percentages were flipped.

WHO AM I VOTING FOR?

– Head honcho of Dunedin who represents Dunedin, leads debates, chairs council. – 15 elected representatives who make decisions about our city and the services the DCC provides. – We vote for 5 Dunedin reps on the ORC who represent us on environmental and transport issues. – Local reps for your neighbourhood.

HOW DOES VOTING WORK?

Local Government uses the Single Transferable Vote system where you rank your preferred candidates. You only have to rank the candidates that you like. If your first pick can’t win, your vote moves to your second and if they can’t win onto your third and

WHERE & WHEN CAN I VOTE?

We have postal voting for local body elections. Voting papers will be sent to your enrolment address if you enrolled before August 1st. If not, you’ll need to cast a ‘special vote’ at a voting location. To double check, scan the QR code. For a non-special vote, you can return voting papers at any post office. There will also be voting boxes on campus where you can drop off your ballot. Voting is open from September 9 until October 11 at

METHOD TO THE MADNESS

As part of our efforts to empower students and strengthen civic engagement, OUSA invited all candidates in the 2025 Dunedin local body elections to share their views on ten key student-focused policies outlined in the OUSA 2025 Local Body Election Student Charter.

Candidates were asked to complete a short form, providing up to 150 words per policy to outline their support, opposition, or general views. Responses were due by 6pm on Friday 22 August. To ensure fairness, candidates were instructed not to include their names in their responses; any responses that did were marked as zero. Likewise, unanswered questions were scored zero. To present the results as fairly as possible, the OUSA Executive reviewed the responses using a blind ranking process (with no identification of candidate names). Four Executive members independently scored each response on a 0-10 scale:

10 = Maximum Support - full and enthusiastic endorsement without reservation

0 = No Support - explicit rejection of the policy; strongly opposed The four scores were then averaged to provide each candidate with a single score in each policy area.

For transparency, it should be noted that OUSA Executive member Jett Groshinski assisted in the development of the Student Charter. However, the final policy list was approved collectively by the Executive, and the blind ranking process ensured that Jett received no special treatment.

All candidate answers are publicly available through the QR codes provided.

1: STUDENT BAR

Otago students deserve a space that’s truly ours. Town bars don’t always put students first – they’re expensive, risky, and not always welcoming. A student bar would be safe, affordable, and inclusive, with live gigs, quiz nights, and club events all on campus. With the support of the University and the DCC we can build a place that would be more than a place to drink – it would be a hub for connection, celebration, and belonging.

“HAVING BEEN A STUDENT IN THE 1980S, THE PUB SCENE WAS VIBRANT, FUN AND SAFE. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN” – PAUL POPE

“A STUDENT BAR ISN’T JUST A NICE-TO-HAVE – IT’S THE BEATING HEART OF CAMPUS LIFE [...] OTAGO WITHOUT A STUDENT BAR? THAT’S LIKE THE ROLLING STONES WITHOUT MICK JAGGER – IT JUST DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT!” – STEVE WALKER

2: RENTAL WOF

No one should have to live in a cold, mouldy flat. Too many students put up with unhealthy homes that hurt wellbeing and study. OUSA is calling on councillors to support a Rental Warrant of Fitness to set clear standards — like heating, insulation, and ventilation — and hold landlords accountable. With DCC backing, we can finally end the era of dodgy student housing and make safe, warm flats the norm.

Steve Walker 9.25

Lily Warring 7

Jett Groshinski, Bex Twemlow, Mickey Treadwell & Rose Finnie 9

Andrew Sutton 3

Sue Todd 4.25

Anthony Kenny 5.25

Doug Hall 5.5

Marita Johnson 6

Ruthven Allimrac 6.25

Lync Aronson, Bruce Ranga & Andrew Whiley 6.75

Flynn Nisvett, Paul Pope, Amy Taylor & Evelyn Robertson 8.25

Mandy Mayhem 8.5

Heike Cebulla-Elder & Andrew Simms 7.5

Lachlan Akers & Conrad Stedman 7.75

Sophie Barker, Cherry Lucas, Carmen Houlahan, Jo Galer, Richard Knights & John Chambers 8

Kevin Gilbert, Tony Bennett & Rachel Brazil 7.25

Daniel Rooney, Jules Radich, Robert Hamlin & Christine Garey 8.75

Pamela Taylor 0.75

Ruthven Allimrac & Mickey Treadwell 9

Anthony Kenny 2.5

Rachel Brazil & Robert Hamlin 8.5

Sue Todd 7.5

Richard Knights, Andrew Simms & Sophie Barker 8.75

Carmen Houlahan 3.5

Jett Groshinski, Jo Galer, Heike Cebulla-Elder, Amy Taylor, Andrew Sutton, Christine Garey 9.25

Conrad Stedman, Marita Johnson, Doug Hall, Cherry Lucas, Mandy Mayhem & Rose Finnie 8.25

Evelyn Robertson 8.33

Flynn Nisvett, Paul Pope, Tony Bennett, Bex Twemlow, Jules Radich, Lachlan Akers & Lily Warring 7.75

Bruce Ranga 7

Lync Aronson 5.25

Daniel Rooney 6

John Chambers, Andrew Whiley, Kevin Gilbert & Steve Walker 8

3: SEEN-IC ROUTE

2 1

Too many of us avoid certain streets or walk home stressed after dark. OUSA will launch a Safe Streets Map made by students for students, showing well-lit routes, safe paths, and spots to watch out for. We’re calling on the support from the DCC and local groups to help us develop a map of the city to allow students to get around with confidence, while pushing for better lighting and safer streets for everyone.

OUSA is calling on the DCC to create a $100,000 Social Harm Reduction Grant to fund local projects tackling alcohol harm, drug safety, sexual violence prevention, and mental health. Student groups, flatting communities, health providers, and nonprofits could apply to deliver solutions that actually work on the ground.

Ruthven Allimrac, Jett Groshinski, Heike Cebulla-Elder, Mandy Mayhem

Richard Knights, Carmen Houlahan, Kevin Gilbert, Lily Warring & Lync Aronson 7.75

Andrew Simms, Jules Radich, Evelyn Robertson 7.5

Lucas & Anthony Kenny 7.25

Conrad Stedman, Andrew Whiley, Carmen Houlahan & Sophie Barker 7.25

Sue Todd & Anthony Kenny 2.25

Cherry Lucas 2.75

Daniel Rooney 4

Jo Galer 3.25

Marita Johnson 4.25

Ruthven Allimrac & Doug Hall 6.5

John Chambers Andrew Sutton & Kevin Gilbert 6.25

Amy Taylor 5.25

Lily Warring 5.5 Bex Twemlow 5.66

Andrew Simms 5.75

5: TERTIARY PRECINCT PLANNING GROUP 6: ALBANY ST DEVELOPMENT

OUSA would like to see a revival of the Tertiary Precinct Planning Group, a forum where students, the University, DCC, Police, and community groups work together. This group makes sure student voices are heard on safety, transport, infrastructure, and urban design, while coordinating action across all key players. Restoring the group in 2025 will make North Dunedin safer, better connected, and designed for student life.

OUSA would like councillors to support the proposed Albany Street connection. Prioritising footpaths, bike lanes, crossings, and public spaces will make travel safer, reduce traffic, and encourage sustainable transport. With DCC investment and urgency, this project can better connect students to the city, local businesses, and services while setting a new standard for student-focused urban design in Dunedin.

Groshinski

Carmen Houlahan,

Paul Pope, John Chambers, Jo Galer, Kevin Gilbert & Christine Garey 7.75

Ruthven Allimrac, Marita Johnson, Daniel Rooney, Cherry Lucas, Sophie Barker & Steve Walker 8

Flynn Nisvett, Jules Radich, Lily Warring & Evelyn Robertson 7.25

Rose Finnie 8.75

Paul Pope & Lily Warring 7.5

Jett Groshinski, Richard Knights, Mandy Mayhem & Rose Finnie 8.25

Heike Cebulla-Elder 7.75 Lachlan Akers & Bruce Ranga 7

Sutton 5.25 Doug Hall, Kevin Gilbert & Evelyn Robertson 8

Robert Hamlin & Anthony Kenny 5.75

Lync Aronson 0

Steve Walker, Christine Garey & Mickey Treadwell 8.75

Tony Bennett 7.25

Sophie Barker 6.5

Rachel Brazil, Conrad Stedman & Andrew Whiley 6

Sue Todd & Carmen Houlahan 1.75 Robert Hamlin 1.25

Daniel Rooney 3 Jo Galer & Cherry Lucas 5

Flynn Nisvett & John Chambers 6.25

Andrew Simms 6.33

Anthony Kenny 3.25

Marita Johnson 3.75

Amy Taylor 4.5

“THE DUNEDIN SOUND IS A LEGACY AND WE NEED TO BACK THE UNIQUE CULTURE THAT ACTUALLY MADE, AND CONTINUES TO MAKE, US AN ATTRACTIVE STUDENT CITY” – REBECCA TWEMLOW

7: DUNEDIN SOUND FESTIVAL 8: EMERGENCY HOUSING

“YES, HAVING SHELTER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND SHOULD NEVER BE NEGOTIABLE” – HEIKE CEBULLA-ELDER

OUSA proposes that councillors support creating a “Dunedin Sound” music festival, a city-wide event that celebrates our city’s iconic musical history while giving students and emerging artists a stage. Council back the project, and we bring the energy.

No student should be left without a home. OUSA is calling for a dedicated emergency housing service for students in crisis — whether from unsafe flats, tenancy issues, or sudden financial hardship. We need a safety net that’s fast, reliable, and fair — making sure every student has a place to live while studying.

Flynn Nisvett, Daniel Rooney, Rebecca Twemlow, Rose Finnie, Mandy Mayhem & Sophie Barker 8

Stedman,

Heike CebullaElder, Andrew Sutton, Lily Warring & Mickey Treadwell 7.5

Paul Pope, Tony Bennett, Evelyn Robertson 7.75 Doug Hall & Tony Bennett 8.25

Rachel Brazil, Sue Todd, Andrew Whiley, Cherry Lucas & Evelyn Robertson 7.5 Flynn Nisvett, Jett Groshinski, Richard Knights, Heike CebullaElder & Lachlan Akers 7.75

Conrad Stedman, Andrew Whiley, Andrew Simms, Christine Garey 7.25

Anthony Kenny 5.25

Kenny 5.75

Lily Warring, Andrew Sutton & Bruce Ranga 7

Jules Radich, Ruthven Allimrac, Carmen Houlahan, Mandy Mayhem, Christine Garey, Rose Finnie & Mickey Treadwell 8

John Chambers, Rachel Brazil, Marita Johnson, Kevin Gilbert, Steve Walker, Lachlan Akers, Pamela Taylor, Bruce Ranga & Lync Aronsen 7

Sue Todd & Jules Radich 6.75

Jo Galer, Robert Hamlin & Cherry Lucas 6.25

Amy Taylor 8.75

Richard Knights & Carmen Houlahan 8.25

9: AIRPORT BUS SERVICE

Most students aren’t from Dunedin, and the airport is a far distance from the city in order to visit home. Rather than a private bus shuttle service or asking your mate to “pretty please” give you a ride, an airport bus service would be a cheap, sustainable, and convenient method of transportation to the airport every semester break.

“A

STUDENT BUS SERVICE TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR SO MANY. THIS WOULD BE A MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE OPTION FOR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW FAR THE AIRPORT IS”

– ROSE FINNIE

OUSA is calling on the council to bring back the Southern Passenger Rail, connecting us to Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru, Balclutha, Invercargill, and beyond. It’s cheaper, greener, and way more fun than sitting in traffic. With the right support from the council we can make visiting home and the rest of the South cheaper and easier.