Community news and notices

Election Access Fund

A new Fund has been established, called the Election Access Fund Te Tomokanga — Pūtea Whakatapoko Pōtitanga, to support disabled people to stand as candidates in parliamentary general elections and by-elections. 

The purpose of the Fund is to reduce cost barriers faced by disabled people by covering disability-related costs which non-disabled candidates do not face. The Fund covers both seeking selection to be a candidate, and campaigning as a candidate.

The Fund will enable the Commission to pay for additional costs that candidates incur as a result of their disability when organising and preparing to stand for Parliamentary elections. 

For more information and to apply, please go to the Electoral Commission website.

Items to Loan

The DCC Community Development and Events Team has some equipment available for Dunedin-based community groups to borrow for use at local events. Events held must be alcohol, drug, smoking and vape free and free of charge to attend.

Trestle tables, chairs, cable covers, and a portable PA system are available. Please contact community@dcc.govt.nz or 03 477 4000 to speak to the Community Development and Events Team if you have questions.

Mosgiel Coronation Hall old theatre seating

Dunedin community groups and residents have an opportunity to have old theatre seating for reuse.

The old theatre seating in the Mosgiel Coronation Hall is to be replaced in late 2022, early 2023. The Dunedin City Council and Mosgiel Coronation Hall Development Trust are working together on this project.

Rather than disposing of the old theatre seats, we’re keen to see as many of them reused as possible, ideally in ways that will benefit the community and/or have positive environmental outcomes.

The seats are red vinyl with wooden arm rests and metal footings. They come in various lengths, styles and ways in which they are fitted. They will need to be fixed to the floor for safe use.

The successful applicants will be able to take the surplus theatre seats away prior to Christmas, between 17 to 22 December. The exact dates for this are yet to be confirmed.

Applications will be evaluated and prioritised in terms of those which have a positive community and/or environmental impact.

If you would like to view the seating, please email city.property@dcc.govt.nz

Applications close at 4pm, Monday, 21 November 2022.

For further information please refer to the DCC website link www.dunedin.govt.nz/theatre-seating-reuse

Studying in 2023?

If you're studying in 2023, make sure to apply for your student allowance and/or loan before Friday, 16 December.

You can’t miss it!

Apply at studylink.govt.nz

(It doesn’t matter if you don’t have your results yet)

Aotearoa New Zealand Trans and Non-Binary Health Survey

Counting Ourselves is an anonymous online survey about the health of trans and non-binary people living in Aotearoa New Zealand. It was designed by trans and non-binary people to collect information that they hope will improve the lives of people in our communities.

Counting Ourselves is a Kaupapa Māori informed research study.

You can take part in this survey if you are: Trans or non-binary and aged 14 years or older and currently living in Aotearoa, New Zealand

It does not matter whether you use the specific terms ‘trans’ or ‘non-binary’ to describe yourself, whether you have transitioned or even plan to transition. This survey is for anyone whose gender is different from their sex assigned at birth, whatever term you use to describe your identity.

The more people who answer the survey, the stronger the evidence they will have to advocate for change.

To take part in the survey please go to the Counting Ourselves website.