The recent much anticipated opening of Te Ara Moana – the St Leonards to Port Chalmers shared walking and cycling path – was a momentous occasion for the West Harbour community and indeed the wider city.

It is already delivering a range of benefits. It’s great to see so many people out cycling, walking and running, all of them enjoying the exercise and views of our beautiful harbour.

In terms of the bigger picture, the path completes the harbour route, Te Aka Ōtākou, from Port Chalmers to Portobello. Thanks to all community members on both sides of the harbour for their advocacy and mahi over many years to see this tremendous city asset come to fruition.

Two of the city’s other treasures also reached significant milestones recently, with Otago Polyfest celebrating 30 years, while Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden marked its 15th anniversary.

Polyfest is one of the oldest festivals in the country celebrating Māori and Pasifika culture. It is always a delight to see thousands of young people from around the region taking to the stage to perform and express themselves.

Lan Yuan, meanwhile, is a wonderful recognition of Dunedin’s Chinese heritage and its mutually beneficial sister city relationship with Shanghai. The Garden changes with the seasons and vistas, so there is something different to see every time you visit.

There is so much in our city to celebrate and be proud of!

Jules Radich
Mayor of Dunedin