Council
MINUTES
Minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Dunedin City Council held in the Council Chamber, Dunedin Public Art Gallery, The Octagon, Dunedin on Friday 31 October 2025, commencing at 1:00 p.m.
PRESENT
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Mayor |
Mayor Sophie Barker |
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Deputy Mayor |
Cr Cherry Lucas
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Members |
Cr John Chambers |
Cr Christine Garey |
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Cr Doug Hall |
Cr Marie Laufiso |
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Cr Russell Lund |
Cr Mandy Mayhem |
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Cr Benedict Ong |
Cr Jules Radich |
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Cr Andrew Simms |
Cr Mickey Treadwell |
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Cr Lee Vandervis |
Cr Steve Walker |
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Cr Brent Weatherall |
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IN ATTENDANCE |
Sandy Graham (Chief Executive), Carolyn Allan (Chief Financial Officer), Scott MacLean (General Manager City Services), David Ward (General Manager 3 Waters, Property and Urban Development), Nicola Morand (Manahautū - General Manager Community and Strategy), Paul Henderson (General Manager Corporate and Regulatory Services), Mike Costelloe (General Manager, Arts, Culture and Economic Development) and Jackie Harrison (Manager Governance). |
Governance Support Officer Lynne Adamson
1 Opening
Matapura Ellison welcomed the Mayor and Councillors to the meeting with a karanga. They entered the meeting accompanied by a bagpiper.
Mr Ellison then opened the meeting with a Mihi Whakatau and acknowledged elected members’ whanau, friends and supporters. Mana whenua performed a waiata.
Mayor Sophie Barker responded to the welcome, supported by Dunedin City Council staff performing a waiata.
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The Chief Executive Officer (Sandy Graham) welcomed elected members, families, staff and members of the public to the meeting. |
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a) The Mayor The Mayor made the required declaration under Schedule 7, Clause 14 of the Local Government Act 2022, which was witnessed by the Chief Executive Officer. The Mayor then took the Chair. b) Councillors Councillors made the declarations required under Schedule 7, Clause 14 of the Local Government Act 2022, which were witnessed by the Chair. |
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Mayor Sophie welcomed those present to the meeting and extended her congratulations to Councillors on their election.
Mayor Sophie commented she was honoured to be chosen as Mayor of the city. She spoke of her vision for Dunedin and looked forward to working with councillors to make Dunedin thrive.
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The Mayor acknowledged and thanked Bill Acklin; Kevin Gilbert; Carmen Houlahan, Jim O’Malley and Andrew Whiley for their contribution and services given in their terms of office.
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It was noted that the resolutions would be taken separately. Mayor Sophie paid tribute to Bill Acklin for his contribution and service to the community during his term on Council.
Councillors then paid tribute to Mr Acklin.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Records its sincere thanks to Bill Acklin for the loyal and conscientious service he has given to the Dunedin community as a Councillor for the 3 years from 2022 to 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/295) |
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Mayor Sophie paid tribute to Kevin Gilbert and thanked him for his service, leadership and contribution to the community during his three years on Council.
Councillors then paid tribute to Mr Gilbert.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council: b) Records its sincere thanks to Kevin Gilbert for the loyal and conscientious service he has given to the Dunedin community as a Councillor for the 3 years from 2022 to 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/296) |
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Mayor Sophie paid tribute to Carmen Houlahan for her energy, passion and advocacy for the Dunedin community during her two terms on Council.
Councillors paid tribute to Ms Houlahan.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Steve Walker): That the Council: c) Records its sincere thanks to Carmen Houlahan for the loyal and conscientious service she has given to the Dunedin community as a Councillor for the 6 years from 2019 to 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/297) |
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Mayor Sophie paid tribute and thanked Jim O’Malley for his service, integrity and leadership during his 9 years of service on Council.
Councillors then paid tribute to Mr O’Malley.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council: d) Records its sincere thanks to Jim O’Malley for the loyal and conscientious service he has given to the Dunedin community as a Councillor for the 9 years from 2016 to 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/298) |
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Mayor Sophie paid tribute to Andrew Whiley for his 12 years of service from 2013 – 2025 on Council. She expressed her gratitude for his years of service, integrity and unwavering commitment to the city. |
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council: e) Records its sincere thanks to Cr Andrew Whiley for the loyal and conscientious service he has given to the Dunedin community as a Councillor for the 12 years from 2013 – 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/299) |
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The Mayor acknowledged the services given by retiring Community Board members for their terms in office.
Councillors paid tribute to Dr Pim Allen; David (Jock) Frew and Tony Markham for service to their communities.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Records its sincere thanks to the following retiring Community Board members for their loyal and conscientious service given to the Dunedin community.
Motion carried (CNL/2025/300) |
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A report from Civic provided details of Councillor appointments to Community Boards. |
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Notes the Councillor appointments to Community Boards. Motion carried (CNL/2025/301) |
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A meeting schedule was included for consideration in accordance with Schedule 7, Clause 21 of the Local Government Act 2002. |
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Steve Walker): That the Council:
a) Adopts the meeting schedule for the remainder of the 2025 year. b) Notes that a meeting schedule for the 2026 year would be prepared for consideration at the Council meeting on 11 December 2025. c) Notes that the Community Boards would consider and confirm their own meeting schedules. Motion carried (CNL/2025/302) |
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10 Dunedin City Council Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 |
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A report from Civic and Finance sought approval and adoption of the Annual Report for the Dunedin City Council for the financial year ended 30 June 2025. |
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The Chief Executive (Sandy Graham): Chief Financial Officer (Carolyn Allan) and Corporate Planner (Janet Fraser) spoke to the report and responded to questions.
It was agreed that resolution a) would be taken separately.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Approves the Dunedin City Council Annual Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/303) with Cr Lee Vandervis recording his vote against |
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council: b) Delegates the Chief Executive the authority to make any minor editing required to the approved Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025. c) Authorises the Mayor and Chief Executive to sign the Statement of Compliance and Responsibility on behalf of Council. d) Authorises the Mayor and Chief Executive to sign the Letter of Representation to the auditor on behalf of Council. e) Receives the Audit Report on the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025; and f) Adopts the audited Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025. Motion carried (CNL/2025/304) |
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11 Local Government Legislation - Briefing for the Inaugural Council Meeting |
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A report from Civic noted that Clause 21 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002 required that at the inaugural meeting of the Council and Community Boards following the triennial election, the Chief Executive Officer must provide a general explanation of the following legislation: a) The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987; b) The Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968; c) Sections 99, 105 and 105A of the Crimes Act 1961; d) The Secret Commissions Act 1910; and e) The Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
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The Chief Executive (Sandy Graham): spoke to the report and responded to questions.
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Moved (Mayor Sophie Barker/Cr Cherry Lucas): That the Council:
a) Notes the advice regarding key legislation that applies to members of Council, its Committees and Community Boards. Motion carried (CNL/2025/305) |
The meeting concluded at 2.30 pm
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MAYOR