Community news and notices

Dunedin City Council Grants

The September funding round for a range of DCC grants is now open, with application forms available for completion on the DCC website. Applications close on 24 September 2021.

Open contestable grants include: Community, Community Events, Arts, Community Arts, Creative Communities and Waste Minimisation.

Council staff are available to discuss the criteria and eligibility of the different funds. This will assist you to decide which grant you should be applying for, and whether your project, event or service meets the criteria. Even if you have applied to us for funding before, we recommend discussing your application with one of our advisors before you submit.

DCC Events or Creative Communities Grants for Events

If you have received a Community Events or Creative Communities grant from the DCC for an event due to be held in the next month, and have concerns about whether this can be held, please keep in touch with the DCC Events and Ara Toi Teams on 477 4000. It’s important to let staff know if you will be postponing or cancelling an event.  

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

It's Te Wiki o te Reo Māori this week (Sept 13-18), please visit Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Maori Website for more information.

Bands sought for New Year’s Eve concert

The search is on for bands to entertain the crowd at Dunedin’s 2021 New Year’s Eve concert in the Octagon.

Dunedin City Council Events Advisor Olha Viazenko says the DCC is looking for bands that can bring something special to the stage on what is a memorable night for Dunedin residents and visitors.

“The chosen bands will be able to entertain a large crowd at this annual family event, which is all about celebrating the New Year as a community,” Ms Viazenko says.

“This year we want to discover new exceptional talents and give them the opportunity to perform on the main stage alongside experienced bands.”

A selection panel, made up of people of different ages and experience, will shortlist applicants and run a blind audition process for up to six bands.

Bands looking to audition need to supply examples of their music and information about the gigs they have performed.

Visit the Dunedin City Council website for detailed information on what is needed to apply.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 8 October.

Dunedin Public Libraries and Bookbus Information

• All libraries and the bookbus are now open (normal opening hours) 
• Library items due over alert Levels 4 and 3 are now due back by 15 September. They can be returned to any of the library’s or the bookbus, return slots are open.
• Reserved items that were due to be picked up over alert Levels 4 and 3 need to be picked up by 15 September.
•  All library buildings have been cleaned and equipment checked before re-opening to make them as safe to visit and use as possible.
• The Ministry of Health advice is that returned library items present a low risk and that it is safe for them to be reshelved without a quarantine period. If you are concerned, you can wash and dry your hands/use hand sanitiser when using library items at home for the first couple of days.
• If customers feel vulnerable and would prefer not to touch items such as the library self-serve kiosks, library staff are available to help with borrowing and payments. Please do not hesitate to ask.
• The libraries may need to limit the number of customers in the library or bookbus at any one time to ensure that customers can observe 2 metre physical distancing. 
• Customers 12 years and over must wear a face covering, unless they have an exemption.
• If there is a queue to get into the library, people aged 65 and older will be given priority access during the first hour of opening each day, at each of our libraries.
• Customers are required to scan the COVID Tracer App QR code or register their contact details upon entry. Library staff will support customers who need help with this process.
• People are asked to please use the hand sanitizer provided on entering the library. Library surfaces are being cleaned regularly during the day. Some shared resources such as puzzles and toys have been temporarily removed.
• While a lot of the services are available, unfortunately there are still some services which cannot be provided while at alert Level 2. This includes all previously advertised events and any regular public programmes where physical distancing of 2 metres cannot be safely managed. This includes all children’s programmes: Wriggle & Rhyme, Babytime, Wiggle time, Storytimes, Lego and Kids Clubs. Many of the programmes and events will be restated at Alert level 1.
• Home Services have restarted. This programme helps people who have difficulty visiting the library,  access all library resources, including large print and talking books, music, magazines and DVDs. To join or find out more please email library@dcc.govt.nz or phone 03 474 3681.

For more information please go the either the facebook page or the website for more level 2 information.

Spiritual and Prayer Space

The Spiritual and Prayer Space in the Dunedin City Library has been created in response to requests from library customers for a quiet space for prayer and reflection. The space is available to all members of the public for this purpose and is open to people of any faith or no faith.

The space includes two separate rooms, each accommodating up to six people at any one time, with one room for women only, and the other room for men and women. People can book the use of the space in advance, or request the use of the space on arrival. The rooms are locked to protect the privacy of the space and mitigate any inappropriate use with staff admitting people to the space on request.

The development of the space is consistent with the role of the public library to provide a range of safe and welcoming spaces for the community to use while reflecting the increasing diversity of Dunedin’s communities.

Under the Alert Lever 2 social distancing guidelines, the number of users has been restricted to one person (or one bubble) in each room at a time.

Moray Place Carpark Lifts

The Dunedin City Council is replacing the upper Moray Place carpark lifts, work was scheduled to begin in August but due to the Covid 19 restriction this work was delayed. The new start date is Monday 20 September 2021 we will advise you when the lift is expected to be back in service when we have a confirmed date.

The lifts will be replaced one at a time to minimise disruption, but some floors won’t have lift access during the work.

The lift which services the Octagon side of the building will be out of action from Monday 20 September 2021 .

The other lift servicing the Moray Place side of the building will still be operating as normal.

People parking in the mobility parks on Moray Place and Octagon please be aware that you will not be able to travel between floors via the lift. If you cannot use the stairs you can only exit the building on the level, you have parked on.

If people are using mobility parking on the Octagon level, they will be able to use the temporary P 5 park on Moray Place level to access the pay machine.

We apologise for any inconvenience this necessary work may cause and will keep you updated as the project progresses. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dunedin City Council 03 477 4000

Face Masks

Face Masks are now mandatory to access essential services during COVID alert level 2.

For handy tips on making a face mask in under 10 seconds or sewing your own face mask please visit Unite Against COVID website.

Rights around Vaccinations Requirements for Employees and Employers

“Health and safety reasons for requiring work to be done by vaccinated workers

Businesses cannot require any individual to be vaccinated. However, businesses can require that certain work must only be done by vaccinated workers, where there is high risk of contracting and transmitting COVID to others. This will be a minority of all work in New Zealand. This could change if there is a significant shift in the COVID situation domestically.”

Alongside this, there is also the work covered by the COVID Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021, which does require vaccinated workers:

“COVID Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021

From 1 May 2021, some work at the border can only be done by vaccinated workers. This means businesses do not need to do individual health and safety risk assessments for work covered by this Order. Work covered by the Order must only be done by vaccinated workers.”

For the most recent advice please visit the Employment NZ website.

WorkSafe also has released information specific to the health & safety space.

Employment NZ does offer a free phone-based Early Resolution service as well, to assist parties with any related workplace issues that may arise accessing this: Early Resolution » Employment New Zealand

New Zealand Immigration 

Mail redirected

Mail has now been redirected from the Auckland documentation office to offices outside the city. Some paper applications have also been moved for lodgement and processing. There will be delays in the receipting and lodgement of paper applications as these applications are processed by other offices.

Online VOC request process

Online requests for a Variation of Conditions (VOC) of a work visa went live last Friday. Requests will be processed in the order received, with priority given to paper VOCs submitted prior to lockdown. Only conditions related to work visas can be requested through NZ Immigration Website.

Application refunds

Clients who have submitted both a paper and online application will be eligible for a fee refund on one of these applications. Immigration New Zealand will work with the client once the application is assessed.

Exceptional circumstances

Individuals in exceptional circumstances awaiting a decision on a paper-based temporary visa application are encouraged to contact the Immigration Contact Centre (ICC) to discuss the options available to them.

Dunedin Night Shelter

As the country goes into Level 2 COVID protocols the Dunedin Night Shelter will open under its regular hours: from 6pm at night until 9am the following morning.

Clare Curran has taken over as temporary manager until a permanent manager is recruited. Clare's number is 0212421813 and email manager@dunedinnightshelter.co.nz. Clare will work 8am-3pm Monday-Thursday.

Chris Edwards has taken up the role of community worker at the Shelter which will become a fulltime role. Chris is very excited to perform this role, working more closely with guests at the Shelter and in the community with the homeless and those in precarious housing. Chris's mobile number is 0221982791 and her email is communityworker@dunedinnightshelter.co.nz

Dunedin Night Shelter Administration Vacancy

The Dunedin Night Shelter is a small, committed group of staff ensuring that people who need the services have emergency accommodation that is warm, dry, safe and clean. The Dunedin Night Shelter also supports vulnerable people to find permanent accommodation and develop self-determination. The manager's role is oversee the development of our outreach services to connect with and provide support to vulnerable people in the community and to advocate for and build a network to eradicate homelessness in our city.

The Dunedin Night Shelter is looking for an experienced administrator with some experience of working in the social sector who is committed to helping the vulnerable

The role will be 30-40 hours a week (negotiable). If you know of anyone who might be interested, get them to contact Clare Curran directly.

Threading Whare Charitable Trust

A safe equipped craft workspace for recently arrived adult women refugees and migrants who already have a craft skill but lack space, equipment and materials to create.

An environment for community based social integration between non-refugees and migrants (supporters) and our ‘new’ New Zealanders. 

For more information, please see the attachment at the end of this section.

English Language Partners New Zealand

Know someone who needs help with English? Please see the flyer at the end of the section for more information on how to access free classes to help learn English.

Dunedin Multi Ethnic Council 

Please click on Dunedin Multi Ethnic Council website for all their news, if you scroll to the bottom of the page you can subscribe to the newsletter for all up to date news and information.

Funding available to support Community Organisations

Funding opportunities have been collated by the DCC to support community organisations searching for funding. While the DCC doesn’t administer these opportunities, the community advisors are available to support you if you have any queries.