Athol Bayne is a committed Christian, business owner and former union branch chairman who wants more business growth for city so unemployment becomes a thing of the past.
One of Mr Bayne’s major concerns is the Local Government Amendment Act, which he says could result in changes that are undemocratic, and could increase the cost of services like water.
He supports initiatives like the Regent Theatre 24-Hour Book Sale, which he reckons is ‘‘a cracker of an idea’’.
Why are you standing?
I’m standing because the Government’s current policies towards councils, where they are trying to create unelected organisations who will have the ability to add items to your rates, and also apparently to have votes on the council [through the Local Government Amendment Act], I do not believe are democratic. The other reason is we need to stand up for Dunedin.
Why should people vote for you?
My service in the air force, as well as the Postal Workers Union, gives me a different insight into the employment issues. Also being the owner and director of a computer business for 21 years has enabled me to have a lot of insight into how organisations should be run, and also to ensure fair play.
What relevant experience do you have?
[My experience] gives a wider insight into one of the big problems for Dunedin, which is unemployment. We need to encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs to ensure that they have a proper growth strategy, and also, as much as possible, encourage value-added businesses.
Is employment an issue?
It is for the unemployed. It’s not as major as it is in other centres, but no unemployment is really desirable.
What do you see as the major issues this election?
Government interference with local government, and it’s the undemocratic way they’re trying to set it up, so that people will be elected to council and yet not fully be able to control the rates, particularly with the water. That’s an essential item which I believe households should not have to pay any extra rates for.
You pay rates for water now.
Yes, but it’s amalgamated, it’s not a separate management. If they’re setting up a separate entity, then they’ve got to set up a separate management, which is obviously more than what it is now.
How would you deal with South Dunedin issues of flooding and climate change?
I would be asking the university, in particular, the geological service, to establish a proper survey and develop the full depth of the threats. Going through South Dunedin also is the Akatore fault-line, which is actually probably a much greater danger than global warming. The council at the same time should be talking to various builders who have done repair work, and find out what they have discovered under the houses, with regards to the high water table. Once that is done, the local government needs to talk to central Government, because it is a real crisis, and it actually is in some ways more serious than most people realise.
What is Dunedin doing badly?
To a certain extent promoting itself and promoting in conjunction with the Otago Regional Council a proper growth strategy, which includes encouraging value-added businesses. We’ve got to get serious about getting people in employment here in Dunedin.
What is Dunedin doing well?
The tourism that we have at the moment does have some bright spots. The Otago Excursion Train Trust in particular is one of them, as well as the museum and its new planetarium, and in conjunction with that we’ve got the wonderful architecture from early New Zealand, the railway, and to a lesser extent, the town hall. Last but not least is the Regent book sale. I reckon that’s a cracker of an idea. I love rugging up in winter and going in and fossicking for bargains.
What is your vision for the city?
Basically to ensure that there’s adequate revenue coming in for the city to be able to meet its needs, and to encourage the support facilities for the elderly, and to ensure the hospital, medical school and dental school are retained, because that adds students to the city and the university.
How much sway do you think the mayor has on that?
At the moment not a great lot. And it is something that you just have to keep chipping away at, and with that would be trying to make the city more welcoming, accentuate our positive features. The friendliness of the people here in Dunedin I find very encouraging; the preparedness when the chips are down to get stuck in and help each other.
Who did you vote for at last national election, and how would you describe your politics?
I voted for New Zealand First last time. I go to whoever at the time has the country at heart.
How are you going about your campaigning and fundraising?
At the moment I’m self-funded. We’re slowly building up to having a proper campaign, as it were, on the internet, using social media. We also will have some signage out shortly, but primarily attending all the functions. On the internet we are developing a Facebook page.
Have you attended council meetings?
I haven’t but I’ve seen them online. I know that makes me a political novice in some ways. Having said that, I have run meetings with the postal union, so I know the basic format.
Are you serious about your candidacy considering you are not on the council and have little name recognition?
The main option that I’m doing at the moment is making my voice heard re the democracy issue, because unless we start standing up for Dunedin and saying enough is enough with undermining our local democracy ... if the people believe the same way as I am, and they get behind me, then everything is possible.
Your shop Mosgiel Computers has a Christian aspect; tell us about your faith and beliefs.
I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour, and that belief in trying to help people was one of the reasons I started the Mosgiel Computer Shop 21 years ago.
Our slogan is 'computing with a Christian perspective'.
We want to make people in charge of their computer rather than slaves to it.
