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.

  • Hold regular community meetings in all suburbs to hear local concerns.

    Increase public input opportunities and promote YouTube streaming of meetings so people can watch.

    Provide plain-language updates to keep the community informed and engaged.

  • Commit to keeping Dunedin's name, Dunedin, and not Ōtepoti, and ensure that Dunedin Council companies communicate in English.

    Oppose Māori wards, Māori-only seats and apartheid and stand up for equal rights for all New Zealanders.

    Provide toilets exclusively for male and female, recognise the biological reality of male and female and reject gender ideology.

  • Commit to transparency by ending the practice of closing meetings to the public unless absolutely necessary for legal or commercial reasons.

    Pivot the council to core services and use AI technology to find savings and make Dunedin the most efficient council in New Zealand.

  • Continue commitment to mana whenua and strengthen engagement with greater voting rights and more iwi representation on council committees.

    Improve customer satisfaction ratings as councillors, rebuild trust and hold regular clinics and outreach into rural communities.

    Strengthen democracy within the city, engage face to face in consultation processes and explore other methods or models around public consultation.

  • Establish monthly councillor clinics so councillors are more actively involved with local communities and available for drop-in chats.

    Lead improvement in councillor working relationships and change council culture to focus on positive service experiences.

    Work with communities on better consultation models and ensure all voices are heard to enhance council decision making.

  • Build on the MOU between mana whenua and council through Te Taki Haruru and look for opportunities to grow this relationship.

    Improve public image by working as a united council for the best of the city.

    Build productive and beneficial relationships with Christchurch council and our water services to reduce costs and improve services.

    Build productive and beneficial relationships with Christchurch council and water services to reduce costs and improve services.

  • Push for the development of a DCC app highlighting council matters, upcoming events and opportunities for community consultation.

    Trial a citizens' assembly as a model for more democratic engagement with the community.

    Uphold Te Tiriti and resource mana whenua to ensure an enduring, equal partnership in local decision-making.

  • Clean all leaves out of the gutters.

    Listen to what people want for their city rather than giving them a plan and sticking to it.

    Reduce all council salaries to four chocolate fish per week.

  • Ensure the elected mayor and council take back control of the agenda from bureaucrats by listening to the community, forming the agenda and taking action.

    Review the current underrepresentation of mana whenua and the complete lack of representation for Matawaka.

    Strengthen and empower community boards by establishing a South Dunedin and University community board and listen to communities and respond.

  • Create a citizens assembly from a random cut of the population and give them the power to rule on key issues.

    Create permanent seats on the DCC for local iwi.

    Improve local government transparency and engagement through modern media, eg podcasts and social media.

  • Hold regular community meetings in all suburbs to hear local concerns.

    Increase public input opportunities and promote YouTube streaming of meetings so people can watch.

    Provide plain-language updates to keep the community informed and engaged.

  • Commit to keeping Dunedin's name, Dunedin, and not Ōtepoti, and ensure that Dunedin Council companies communicate in English.

    Oppose Māori wards, Māori-only seats and apartheid and stand up for equal rights for all New Zealanders.

    Provide toilets exclusively for male and female, recognise the biological reality of male and female and reject gender ideology.

  • Commit to transparency by ending the practice of closing meetings to the public unless absolutely necessary for legal or commercial reasons.

    Pivot the council to core services and use AI technology to find savings and make Dunedin the most efficient council in New Zealand.

  • Continue commitment to mana whenua and strengthen engagement with greater voting rights and more iwi representation on council committees.

    Improve customer satisfaction ratings as councillors, rebuild trust and hold regular clinics and outreach into rural communities.

    Strengthen democracy within the city, engage face to face in consultation processes and explore other methods or models around public consultation.

  • Establish monthly councillor clinics so councillors are more actively involved with local communities and available for drop-in chats.

    Lead improvement in councillor working relationships and change council culture to focus on positive service experiences.

    Work with communities on better consultation models and ensure all voices are heard to enhance council decision making.

  • Build on the MOU between mana whenua and council through Te Taki Haruru and look for opportunities to grow this relationship.

    Improve public image by working as a united council for the best of the city.

    Build productive and beneficial relationships with Christchurch council and our water services to reduce costs and improve services.

    Build productive and beneficial relationships with Christchurch council and water services to reduce costs and improve services.

  • Push for the development of a DCC app highlighting council matters, upcoming events and opportunities for community consultation.

    Trial a citizens' assembly as a model for more democratic engagement with the community.

    Uphold Te Tiriti and resource mana whenua to ensure an enduring, equal partnership in local decision-making.

  • Clean all leaves out of the gutters.

    Listen to what people want for their city rather than giving them a plan and sticking to it.

    Reduce all council salaries to four chocolate fish per week.

  • Ensure the elected mayor and council take back control of the agenda from bureaucrats by listening to the community, forming the agenda and taking action.

    Review the current underrepresentation of mana whenua and the complete lack of representation for Matawaka.

    Strengthen and empower community boards by establishing a South Dunedin and University community board and listen to communities and respond.

  • Create a citizens assembly from a random cut of the population and give them the power to rule on key issues.

    Create permanent seats on the DCC for local iwi.

    Improve local government transparency and engagement through modern media, eg podcasts and social media.