Dream South D Newsletter

September 2025

Welcome to Dream South D’s spring newsletter!

Kia ora koutou katoa and welcome to the quarterly update from Dream South D, a community-led development project in the heart of South Dunedin!  We hope this newsletter finds you well and that you’re enjoying the new Spring weather and sunshine!

At Dream South D, we’re currently in the middle of wrapping up and delivering on some amazing projects.   

First up, Buskers Festival Ōtepoti– Saturday 18 October 2025

• King Edward Street Shopping District

• 11am - 2pm

• Award Ceremony 3-5pm at The Gasworks Museum

We're thrilled to be bringing back the Buskers Festival Ōtepoti in collaboration with Southern Heritage Trust and Fortify Events! A celebration of street performance, music, and creativity that last ran in 2019 as the South Dunedin Busking Festival.  

We are giving this much loved event a reboot with the intention it will continue strong into the future. The festival brings music and vibrancy to South Dunedin and offers performance opportunities for the wealth of talent we have here in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.  

Expect live performances, music, and colour across King Edward Street, with pop-up stages in shop doorways, on street corners, and at public spots like Lorne Street.

Want to perform? Registrations are open until Sunday 5th October here.  Categories available for all ages – from emerging to established performers. Prizes will be awarded at a special prizegiving at the Dunedin Gasworks Museum from 3pm, followed by kai and live music to end the day.

See below for more about what we’ve been up to recently…

Sports Reconnect – 13th September 2025

Our Sports Reconnect event was a fantastic success! Huge thanks to King’s and Queen’s High School staff and students who helped set up and pack down, supported families to find the right sports gear, ran the sausage sizzle, and kept the younger kids entertained on the rainy day!

Sport Otago and generous Dunedin locals donated a wide range of pre-loved sports gear including bats, boots, swimwear, cricket sets, and more. Sport Otago also provided fun activities that got everyone involved.

62 people attended and picked up some freebies, they enjoyed the free sausage sizzle and received some great spo(r)t prizes from bubble wands, mouthguards to swim goggles and swim caps.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated and participated - you helped make it a day full of community spirit and connection! 🧡💚💜

“Did You Know? Dots” - Phase 2

Following the success of our first round, Phase 2 of the Did You Know? Dots project is now underway!

We’ve been collecting local facts, stories, and special memories that showcase South Dunedin’s rich and diverse history. Project Lead Rosie was recently featured in The Star, sharing the positive feedback we’ve received so far.

We are still compiling facts and anecdotes, so if you have knowledge around a special piece of local history, we’d love to hear it!  Each ‘Dot’ marks a place of significance and helps celebrate our area's vibrant history, your contribution will help us create new Dots and expand the shared story of South Dunedin.  You can send your submissions to: hello@dreamsouthd.org.nz 

Halloween Fright Night on Ice - 1st November 2025

An exciting Halloween-themed event on the ice — costumes encouraged!

Christmas Light Up - 1st December 2025

Lighting up King Edward Street Shop Fronts with the Christmas Light competition!

Keep an eye on our Projects Page for more details coming soon!

To find out more about any of our projects, to volunteer, or to see how Dream South D might support your kaupapa, you can:

• pop in for a chat between 9am-3.00pm, Monday-Friday at 183 King Edward St

• call 022 507 1122

• email hello@dreamsouthd.org.nz

• or click below to have a look at our Community Plan.