A city New Zealand should be proud of

In Auckland, we like to talk. In fact we talk so much about being a "world class" city, that nothing sensible actually ever gets done.

Fortunately, some cities in our nation choose to just get on with it.

That's what Dunedin is so good at doing.

Dunedin by night.
Mitchell, S. C (Author) (2011)

The Auckland Council should look at Dunedin for inspiration, not Calcutta, or Liverpool, as they currently seem to be doing.

Dunedin makes the most of its fine architecture. Look at all of these well preserved Edwardian and Victorian buildings. Even his majesty, Prince Charles would approve.

Looking down Stuart Street, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Dunedin Railway Station.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Dunedin Town Hall.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

The newest mall in the city, the Wall Street Centre, has been designed tastefully. The facade has been created in a way that blends in with Dunedin's historical architecture.

Wall Street Centre, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Wall Street Centre, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

The city has kept much of its heritage, unlike Queen Street, in Auckland, which is like monument to bad 1980's architecture.

Dunedin has a true heart for its city - the Octagon. The Octagon is a fantastic patch of terraced, open space, surrounded by magnificent old buildings.

The Octagon, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

The Octagon, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

The Octagon, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Dunedin's central city is graced by huge leafy trees. Auckland, in its desperate attempt to mimic Downtown Apia, has decorated its CBD in palm trees. In my opinion, palm trees are best suited to a beach, not a downtown area. Dunedin seems comfortable with its Scottish heritage. In Auckland, we are trying a create a Pacific heritage that doesn't really connect with our colonial settler past.

Trees in the Dunedin CBD.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Instead of squabbling over whether a giant, toilet seat shaped stadium should be built on stilts over the waterfront, Dunedin went ahead and built itself a brand new indoor stadium. They've even managed to get Elton John to perform at it when its finished.

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
Mitchell, S. C. (Author) (2011)

Dunedin may only have a population of 116,600 (Statistics NZ, 2011), but it sure could offer Auckland a few lessons. Those cities that choose to quietly get on with it are the most "world class" of them all.

Population data: STATISTICS NEW ZEALAND. 2011. New Zealand in Profile 2011, Wellington, Statistics New Zealand.