The Job Tour: Dunedin, where the students rule

File photo

Yesterday was our last day in Queenstown. We left the city at 7.45am for our next pit stop on the Job Tour - Dunedin.

We left Queenstown with the sense that this is the best place to go if you want to work in the tourism industry. On Monday the Mayor, Clive Geddis, told us that in Summer (the peak season) there are always jobs going.

This means if you're wanting to break into the industry or just travel somewhere else for your summer holidays, then Queenstown is definitely a place you should consider, if you're willing to pay the expensive living costs.

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We arrived in Dunedin around midday and were struck by the historical buildings in the area. The colonial architecture that either thrives or suffers under the current economical climate, takes us back to a more prosperous time in the city's history.

Dunedin in the late 1800's was the largest and wealthiest city in New Zealand. Nowadays, like Queenstown, has a strong tourism industry.

Our main focus in Dunedin, revolves around student life. The impact of the student dollar has been explained to us by several taxi drivers and bar men. They say that when the students are gone the city is quiet and the locals tend to come out of the woodwork.

It is somewhat of a double-edged sword for the locals.

The city is awash with bars and eateries of which the students spend money in over the course of the academic year, and areas such as transport and accommodation tend to lose money over the summer when the students leave to visit family and travel.

Otago University holds a lot of merit for it's reputation in medical studies, but is also hindered by the negative connotations associated with a portion of its students.

From toga parades to the Undie 500 and other well publicised anti-social activity it would seem that New Zealand's oldest university is in a tug of war with some of its less career focussed students.

According to one student who completed his second year of study last week, these traditions are gaining momentum year by year and are undoubtedly here to stay.

Our question is: when will the local community approach a tipping point and say enough is enough? Considering the importance of the students' financial input into the local economy, the university's reputation, and the amount of people employed at Otago, you would expect this to be an issue which will indeed have some huge ramifications in every aspect of the city.

Tonight we are catching up with a few of the students and although many have left for a summer elsewhere, those who have stayed are more than ready to have a few beers and reflect on the year that has past.

Should we expect another round of Undy 500 riots next year? Will the local authorities get tougher on binge drinking? Are they afraid that this negative reputation will affect their chance of getting a job. We will soon find out...

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