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Dunedin City Council

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Dunedin City Council

Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Ōtepoti
Dunedin City Council coat of arms
Coat of arms
Dunedin City Council brand logo
Brand logo
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Established1 November 1989 (1989-11-01); 36 years ago
Preceded byDunedin City Council
New session started
17 October 2025
Leadership
Sophie Barker, Ind.
since 17 October 2025
Cherry Lucas, Ind.
since 31 October 2025
Sandy Graham
since 12 October 2020
Structure
Seats15 (including mayor)
Graph of the party split among 15 seats.
Political groups
  •   Independent (11)
  •   Labour (1)
  •   Green (1)
  •   Future Dunedin (1)
  •   Building Kotahitaka (1)
Elections
Single Transferable Vote
First election
14 October 1989
Last election
11 October 2025
Next election
14 October 2028
Motto
Maiorum Institutis Utendo
Meeting place
Dunedin Town Hall
Dunedin Town Hall, The Octagon
Website
dunedin.govt.nz

Dunedin City Council (abbr. DCC; Māori: Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Ōtepoti) is the territorial authority for the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, and its surrounding area, including the towns of Mosgiel, Brighton and Waikouaiti. It serves as the area's local government alongside the Otago Regional Council as the regional council. It was established in 1989, replacing an authority of the same name that had existed since 1877.

The governing body of the council has 14 councillors and is chaired by the mayor of Dunedin (currently Sophie Barker since October 2025). There are also six community boards.

History

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Predecessors

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The original Dunedin City Council existed from 1877[1] to 1989.[2]

Governing body

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Mayor

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One mayor is elected at large. They chair meetings of council and act as the elected head of local government.

Current composition

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The current members of the governing body of council are:[3]

Role Portrait Name Affiliation
Mayor Sophie Barker Independent
Deputy mayor Cherry Lucas Independent
Councillor Andrew Simms Future Dunedin
Councillor Lee Vandervis Independent
Councillor Jo Galer Independent
Councillor Marie Laufiso Building Kotahitaka
Councillor John Chambers Your Health Candidate
Councillor Russell Lund Independent
Councillor Brent Weatherall Independent
Councillor Steve Walker Labour
Councillor Mickey Treadwell Green
Councillor Mandy Mayhem Independent
Councillor Benedict Ong Independent
Councillor Christine Garey Independent
Councillor Doug Hall Independent

List of members by term

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Term Mayor Councillors Ref.
1st 1989–1992 Richard Walls
2nd 1992–1995
3rd 1995–1998 Sukhi Turner
4th 1998–2001
5th 2001–2004
6th 2004–2007 Peter Chin
7th 2007–2010
8th 2010–2013 Dave Cull
9th 2013–2016
9th 2016–2019
10th 2019–2022 Aaron Hawkins
(Green)
11th 2022–2025 Jules Radich
(Team Dunedin)
12th 2025–2028 Sophie Barker

Elections

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Elections for the councillors for the 2025–2028 term were held in October 2025.[4] Councillor Jules Radich died on 4 January 2026, triggering a by-election held in May 2026.[5] The by-election was won by independent candidate Jo Galer.[6]

List

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Council

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Mayoral

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Community boards

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The council has created six local community boards under the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002,[7] each with six elected members and one councillor appointed by the council:

These community boards are intended to provide advice to the city council regarding the interests of the communities they represent.[8]

Coat of arms and flag

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Coat of arms of Dunedin City Council
Notes
The city's coat of arms, which were granted in 1947[9] by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, are emblazoned as:[10]
Coronet
A Mural Crown.
Escutcheon
Argent above a Fess Dancette Vert, a Castle Triple-Towered sable on a Rock issuing from the Fess, Masoned Argent, with Windows, Vanes and Portcullis Gules. In the base a Three-Masted Lymphad with Sail Furled Azure, Flagged of Scotland, a Ram's Head Affrontee Horned Or between Two Garbs of the last.
Supporters
On the Dexter a Scotsman Habited with Philabeg and Plaid of the Clan Cameron, supporting in His Exterior Hand a Cromach; on the Sinister a Māori Chief attired in Korowai, Two Huia Feathers in his hair, an Aurei and a Hei Matau and in His Exterior hand a Taiaha. All Proper.
Motto
Maiorum Institutis Utendo (By following in the steps of our forefathers)
Symbolism
The castle is taken from the arms of Edinburgh, while the green fess and garb/animals signify regional agriculture and crops. At the base, the lymphad, or ship, alludes to the arrival of Scottish immigrants to the Otago region. The supporters represent the original Māori owners of the land and its Scottish purchasers. All of the elements of the arms are crowned with a mural crown, emblematic of local government. Their motto is: Maiorum Institutis Utendo, or in English, By following in the steps of our forefathers.

The flag of the city of Dunedin is a banner of arms in white and green and featuring the castle, lymphad, ram's head and wheat sheafs as on the coat of arms.

References

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  1. ↑ Whitmore, G S (21 December 1877). "A Proclamation" (PDF). New Zealand Gazette (101): 1189.
  2. ↑ Reeves, Paul (8 June 1989). "Orders in Council for Local Government Reorganisation" (PDF). New Zealand Gazette (99).
  3. ↑ "Mayor and Councillors". www.dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "2025 election results". www.dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Miller, Grant; Shaw, Ruby (4 January 2026). "Former Dunedin mayor Jules Radich dies". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "2026 by-election results". www.dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  7. ↑ "Local Government Act 2002 No 84 (as at 01 July 2017)". www.legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Community boards". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "Coat of Arms of Dunedin City". Dunedin City Council. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  10. ↑ Thorns, David; Schrader, Ben (11 March 2010). "City history and people – Towns to cities – Civic coats of arms". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
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