Rod McMeeken – A new view of Dunedin
These days Rod McMeeken has a whole new outlook on Dunedin – and what an outlook it is!
Rod, his wife Shelley, daughter Ali and son Ciaran returned to Dunedin 5 years ago and set about turning a former Christain Brothers Residence perched above central Dunedin into the 15-room ‘The Brothers Boutique Hotel‘, which features superb views over the city.
For many years Rod – a former Contiki guide in Europe – had been based in Arrowtown running a variety of tourism-related businesses, from a tour company to a market research company specialising in tourism.
“I actually had no intention of coming back to Dunedin. It’s not that I was negative about the city, it was more I really didn’t see us living here,” he says.
“We returned for the children’s education and have no regrets about the move”.
While Rod is actually an ex-Bayfield High School pupil the fact that his daughter was at boarding school in Dunedin and his son had a strong desire to go to Otago Boys’ helped Shelley and him to make the change.
“Ciaran has actually wanted to come to Otago Boys’ since he was five. We watched a game of cricket at Littlebourne one day and he was adamant he wanted to come here, As it turned out he has already played 2 seasons for the 1st Eleven with a year to go,” he says.
“The School has provided him with huge sporting opportunities and a recent trip with the Willows Cricket Club to India and Oman is a testament to this. Music has become a passion for him as well and it has flourished due the environment here.”
“Dunedin has an almost ‘Bohemian’ feel to it with the students and the University and there are always plenty of things happening, It is a very balanced place” he says.
What followed probably seemed anything but balanced, as Rod and his family worked to turn the stately old 1930s brick building into a friendly Boutique Hotel.
“The building had all the right attributes for what we thought would be a good use. We had no aspirations of doing anything else with it,” says Rod.
It now offers a selection of ensuite rooms ranging from $135 to $305/night.
Rod’s daughter Ali has joined him in running the business and they are thoroughly enjoying being able to share their city with visitors.
“There is a growing awareness about Dunedin’s environment and heritage” he observes.
“We find Europeans in particular frequently book two nights but end up staying for three – they find much more to do here than they expected.”
He thinks the key to that is that the city has a feel and atmosphere they can identify with.
“You don’t see it anywhere else in New Zealand. It’s a huge competitive advantage Dunedin has and we need to make sure we don’t lose sight of that.”
If there is one thing he would like to see to strengthen that it’s a tram system, connecting the main street with the University, the proposed new Carisbrook Stadium, the railway station Chinese Gardens and back into the Octagon.
“I believe it would enhance Dunedin’s reputation as a character City.”