Veteran Taxpayer Advocates for Mobility Taxi Service Retention

A veteran taxpayer from Dunedin has voiced strong concerns regarding potential cuts to the city’s mobility taxi service, emphasizing its importance for maintaining independence among elderly residents. In a letter to the editor published on December 10, 2025, Jim Moffat, who is in his mid-90s, highlighted how essential these subsidized fares are for his daily life, which includes visits to the Moana Pool for fitness, grocery shopping, and social outings.

Moffat described the mobility taxi service as a necessary resource that enables him to live independently without relying heavily on family or friends for transportation. He pointed out that the current government’s focus on cost-cutting may overlook the realities faced by those less fortunate. “Being able to live independently with no home nursing, rest-home, or hospital care saves the health budget hugely,” he asserted, appealing for the retention of this vital service.

Calls for Junk Food Tax to Improve Health Outcomes

In a separate issue, there is a growing call for the introduction of a tax on unhealthy supermarket foods. Advocates argue that such a tax could help alleviate the financial burden on families who struggle to afford healthy options. They suggest that revenue from this tax could be redirected to reduce the costs of nutritious vegetables and meats, ultimately improving public health.

Research supports this initiative, indicating that many families are consuming poorer diets due to the lower prices of processed foods, which can lead to long-term health complications and increased healthcare costs. Proponents argue that better food quality could significantly enhance health outcomes.

Changes to Resource Management Act Bring Greater Freedom

Changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) are also generating positive feedback from residents. These amendments will allow taxpayers greater control over the management of trees on their private properties. Moffat noted that during a recent hearing, a ratepayer faced nine council bureaucrats while seeking permission to remove a tree on their property. Supporters of the changes hope that the council will now prioritize public trees while relieving private property owners from stringent heritage tree obligations.

This shift is anticipated to save the city council considerable costs while empowering residents to manage their own properties more effectively.

Climate Justice Advocates Highlight Urgent Issues

In another letter, local activists Bruce Mahalski and his lawyer, Rhona Daysh, were lauded for their commitment to climate justice. They have faced legal challenges for peacefully expressing their concerns about climate change, which they argue is a pressing emergency. Their case has sparked broader discussions about government policies that could potentially lead to a catastrophic rise in global temperatures.

“Justice, I looked it up in the dictionary, is about a genuine respect for people,” Moffat wrote, praising the values displayed by Mahalski and Daysh.

The dire predictions from climate scientists, such as Johan Rockstrom, underscore the urgency of the situation. Rockstrom has warned that a world with a temperature increase of 4°C would make it difficult for the current global population of 8 billion to survive. Many believe that the architects of current policies are not adequately held accountable for their decisions.

Residents are encouraged to contribute to the ongoing discourse by submitting their letters to the editor at the Otago Daily Times, with the aim of fostering a community dialogue on these significant issues affecting Dunedin and beyond.