Mayor of Dunedin

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the city and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Dunedin City Council mayoral election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Rebuild our relationship with mana whenua, and make more room for a Māori voice in council discussions.

    Take an equity approach to decision making, where the interests of the whole community are taken into account.

    Get out of the council building and engage more with community groups on their own turf and on their own terms.

  • All communities need to be engaged in democracy. For democracy to work everyone needs to feel that they have say. Send council to community.

    Māori, and other groups, need to be encouraged to stand for office. It is not enough just to have sentence at start and end of speech in Māori.

    The number of salaries in council over $100,000 needs to be reduced. And the relationship between councils and council employees needs adjusting.

  • Commit to equality in Te Tiriti meaning co-governance and commitment to equality as both democratic principle and obligation.

    Strengthen and advocate for a diverse voice in council, true representation is inclusivity and accessibility to all residents.

    Strengthen community engagement working with mana whenua partners, affected communities, other stakeholders to identify ways forward.

  • Work with community to establish better consultation models to ensure all residents' voices are heard to enhance council decision making.

    Establish monthly 'Councillor Clinics' so councillors are more actively involved with local communities + available for drop in discussions.

    Rebuild trust with community by open engagement and council culture change. Start measuring direct customer satisfaction of service daily.

  • Te Reo is a beautiful language. I'd support using it more along with English translations and making it sexy like French or Italian.

    Continue to engage with mana whenua and build strong enduring relationships for the betterment of all.

    Engage more. Councils have to consult. Consulting is telling people what we are doing, engaging is asking what they want. Big difference.

  • Earn back the trust of the community through genuine effective consultation.

    Promote inclusive engagement with mana whenua.

    Expose political party initiatives being forced onto council.

  • Have multiple ways for Dunedin people to offer suggestions such as a Facebook page, webpage, surveys, town hall meetings etc.

    Never exclude any group of Dunedin people from accessing public facilities. Offer an apology to those excluded and discriminated against.

    I will support equal civil and political rights to all members of the human family. Free from censorship, de-platforming and discrimination.

  • Initiate a policy for inclusive participation with residents to cover a wide range of needs and demands in our community.

    Have a solid and meaningful induction program for councillors including interaction with key groups of stakeholders.

    Initiate a programme of meaningful staff, councillor, and community board interactions.

  • Increase consultation with public to make sure everyone feels heard.

    Review into the way the council, staff and the public work together.

    Create education campaign to teach public how the council works and how they can get involved.

  • Rebuild our relationship with mana whenua, and make more room for a Māori voice in council discussions.

    Take an equity approach to decision making, where the interests of the whole community are taken into account.

    Get out of the council building and engage more with community groups on their own turf and on their own terms.

  • All communities need to be engaged in democracy. For democracy to work everyone needs to feel that they have say. Send council to community.

    Māori, and other groups, need to be encouraged to stand for office. It is not enough just to have sentence at start and end of speech in Māori.

    The number of salaries in council over $100,000 needs to be reduced. And the relationship between councils and council employees needs adjusting.

  • Commit to equality in Te Tiriti meaning co-governance and commitment to equality as both democratic principle and obligation.

    Strengthen and advocate for a diverse voice in council, true representation is inclusivity and accessibility to all residents.

    Strengthen community engagement working with mana whenua partners, affected communities, other stakeholders to identify ways forward.

  • Work with community to establish better consultation models to ensure all residents' voices are heard to enhance council decision making.

    Establish monthly 'Councillor Clinics' so councillors are more actively involved with local communities + available for drop in discussions.

    Rebuild trust with community by open engagement and council culture change. Start measuring direct customer satisfaction of service daily.

  • Te Reo is a beautiful language. I'd support using it more along with English translations and making it sexy like French or Italian.

    Continue to engage with mana whenua and build strong enduring relationships for the betterment of all.

    Engage more. Councils have to consult. Consulting is telling people what we are doing, engaging is asking what they want. Big difference.

  • Earn back the trust of the community through genuine effective consultation.

    Promote inclusive engagement with mana whenua.

    Expose political party initiatives being forced onto council.

  • Have multiple ways for Dunedin people to offer suggestions such as a Facebook page, webpage, surveys, town hall meetings etc.

    Never exclude any group of Dunedin people from accessing public facilities. Offer an apology to those excluded and discriminated against.

    I will support equal civil and political rights to all members of the human family. Free from censorship, de-platforming and discrimination.

  • Initiate a policy for inclusive participation with residents to cover a wide range of needs and demands in our community.

    Have a solid and meaningful induction program for councillors including interaction with key groups of stakeholders.

    Initiate a programme of meaningful staff, councillor, and community board interactions.

  • Increase consultation with public to make sure everyone feels heard.

    Review into the way the council, staff and the public work together.

    Create education campaign to teach public how the council works and how they can get involved.