Dunedin Venues has defended its decision to award a contract to a Christchurch company after being accused of aiding the city’s “direct competitor”.
Dunedin marketing agency Firebrand hit out at the organisation after losing out on a tender to manage the rebuild and design of its website.
It was awarded to Dunedin-based Walsh & Beck, in a joint venture with Christchurch-based Voyage Studios.
Firebrand managing director Georgina Guthrie-Murray said she took issue with work being taken out of Dunedin.
“These organisations are owned by Dunedin ratepayers, yet they have elected to shift the work and investment out of our city — into the hands of our direct city competitor.”
But Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive Paul Doorn said it wanted local companies to succeed on their merits, “not through artificial advantages”.
“DVML will continue to select the contractors who offer the best value and outcomes for the people of Dunedin — regardless of where their office happens to be located.”
Mrs Guthrie-Murray said Firebrand originally designed and developed the website, and for the past seven years had been employed to maintain it.
While she had “no problem” with Walsh & Beck being awarded the contract, she believed keeping work in Dunedin should have a stronger weighting in the procurement process.
As a Dunedin City Council owned organisation, the contract should have included a clause to keep the work in the city, Mrs Guthrie-Murray said.
She believed talent and tech companies in Dunedin were not being backed and was concerned big organisations “shipping the work out of town” could set a precedent.
“When our locally owned organisations don’t back Dunedin capability, jobs and economic growth, it undermines confidence in the very community they are meant to represent and support.”
Mr Doorn said Mrs Guthrie-Murray’s criticism missed a fundamental point: “ratepayer-owned companies have a fiduciary duty to deliver the best possible outcomes for the community they serve”.
“This means selecting contractors based on merit, capability and value — not just their postcode.”
Multiple companies were given “equal opportunity” to demonstrate their capabilities, including Firebrand. An evaluation panel determined Walsh & Beck and Voyage Studios offered the best solution for DVML’s needs and the best value for money.
DVML was proud to support local businesses wherever possible and currently used a wide range of local suppliers, Mr Doorn said.
“Firebrand’s disappointment at not winning this tender is understandable, but it doesn’t justify overhauling procurement policies that serve the ratepayers well.”
Walsh & Beck co-director Paula Hellyer said it and Voyage Studios were excited about working on the project “and delivering an outstanding result for our client”.
