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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
‘Boring' name for library section approved
The facade of the new South Dunedin Library. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH The confirmed name of "South Dunedin Community Library" for part of the new building soon to open in the suburb has been criticised as "rather boring", and a lost opportunity. The name was accepted after a brief discussion at the Dunedin City Council this week, but the vote was 9-6. Cr Brent Weatherall was disappointed the library component was named separately from the full complex — Te Whata o Kaituna. "I would be much happier if Kaituna was incorporated into the library's name," he said. South Dunedin Community Library was a rather boring name, he said. Cr Christine Garey said not using Te Whata o Kaituna, the name given by mana whenua, was an opportunity lost. Cr Mandy Mayhem felt the situation was a bit insulting. The council decided in June to accept the name Te Whata o Kaituna for the full building, but to run targeted consultation about naming the library component South Dunedin Community Library. Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said at the time this would bring an ideal balance between Māori and English. The council then confirmed on Wednesday the name for the library portion of the complex. The two-storey complex in King Edward St is due to open in spring. ■ That the council confirms South Dunedin Community Library as the name for the library housed in the new Te Whata o Kaituna complex: For (9): Mayor Jules Radich, Crs Bill Acklin, Sophie Barker, Kevin Gilbert, Cr Carmen Houlahan, Cherry Lucas, Jim O'Malley, Lee Vandervis, Andrew Whiley. Against (6): Crs David Benson-Pope, Christine Garey, Marie Laufiso, Mandy Mayhem, Steve Walker, Brent Weatherall.
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Mana whenua name for South Dunedin library revealed
Mana whenua have given South Dunedin's new library complex a name reflecting the area's historic links to traditional knowledge. The building complex, which houses the new South Dunedin Library, will be called Te Whata o Kaituna. In a report for next week's civic affairs committee meeting, Dunedin City Council (DCC) acting corporate policy manager Nadia Wesley-Smith said the name referenced the area's former abundance in mahika kai (traditional food gathering and the places it occurs). In the past, South Dunedin was an estuary "abundant with shellfish, fish, birds and other wildlife". Whata describes an elevated structure used to store kai. "[The name] recognises traditional knowledge systems used in cultural practices, and today, the knowledge held within the library structure for the community to access," Ms Wesley-Smith said. At December's Te Pae Māori meeting, the council and mana whenua partnership forum, mana whenua formally gifted the name to the South Dunedin library and community complex. At March's meeting, it was proposed the building complex be named Te Whata o Kaituna, and the library housed within have a separate name. "The naming of the building demonstrates the application of Te Taki Haruru [the council's Māori strategic framework], the expression of the DCC's commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi," she said. Artwork on the library's outside depicted tuna (eels), acknowledging the history and culture of South Dunedin, Ms Wesley-Smith said. "There has been some discussion in the community around the option of naming the building after a previous Dunedin City councillor and library advocate, however both staff and mana whenua have since engaged with the family who have confirmed they do not wish for the building to be named thus. " In November, councillors voted 6-4 to lease the upper floor of the complex at commercial rates, rather than reserve some space for community organisations at a cheaper rental, a decision which outraged the organisations. A notice of motion from Cr Carmen Houlahan to overturn the decision was lost 7-5 in April. At Tuesday's infrastructure services committee, property services group manager Anna Nilsen said an opening date for the complex had not been confirmed. It had been expected to open by mid-year, but the project was forecast to run into September, Ms Nilsen said. "We're just trying to see if we can speed that programme up and gain any ground between now and then." — APL
