Submitter
Submission id number: 964877
Submitter name:
AJ Mason
Organisation
Multiple
Do you want to speak to Councillors at the hearings?
No
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submission
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I write to urge the DCC, in the strongest possible terms, to recognise and realise the incredible value of the Otago Museum to the people and city of Dunedin. This must be reflected with a funding grant increase which is coherent with recognition: As a bare minimum, a funding increase of at least 7% to keep pace with inflation - but if you seek to be wise then a minimum increase of 10% to keep pace with inflation, assist with COVID recovery, and further allow the museum to expand (even if only modestly) its value to Dunedin.
Much can be said about the critical cultural, social, and educational nexus the museum provides; still more can said on the unequivocal evidence for the museum as the steward and guardian of the traditions, heritage, and fundamental identity of the people of Dunedin; and even more on the unquestionable investment in the future of Dunedin that museum funding will deliver.
However each of these points is so obvious and so abundantly true, I'm sure many of them are known to you already, and confident that other submissions should comprehensively cover them.
Rather, I would like to bring to your attention a factor that might not be so well recognised inside the Taieri: The Otago Museum is Dunedin's de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In an age where attracting the best and brightest of high skilled labour is essential for the high productivity thriving of a community, and in a city where attracting the best students is a fundamental economic activity, the museum is a critical player - more often than not the lynchpin - in building Dunedin's brand as a knowledge city amongst the general public of the entire nation and even internationally.
Further, for any effort of which Dunedin or any of her institutions might desire regional support, it is the museum alone which has been holding the line in generating goodwill for Dunedin from the wider region.
Against long standing resentment over the regionally extractive financial arrangements for Dunedin's Stadium, it was the Otago Museum and her staff that were showing up to every A&P show, community fair, and arts festival engaging local populations conducting 'public diplomacy by default' on behalf of Dunedin to mitigate that resentment.
Against the Aurora Energy debacle and longstanding historical profiteering by DCC against the people of the wider region, it was the Museum alone that was visiting rural classrooms - and hosting visits in return - inspiring regional school children and building goodwill amongst their parents.
If the DCC aspires to Dunedin being in any way seen as a regional leader rather than merely local bully, the Otago Museum is the last best standard bearer you have. It would be fatally and naively unwise to undercut the critical role the Otago Museum executes on behalf of Dunedin City, her people, and her council. The only act of intelligent insight into Dunedin's larger situation and vulnerabilities would be to increase and expand the Museum's funding and operations to the greatest extent possible.
Best regards,
AJ Mason
What other ideas should we be thinking about to include in future plans for our city?