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 a borough council 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
Predecessors
The original Dunedin City Council existed from 1877 to 1989.
Governing body
Mayor
One mayor is elected at large. They chair meetings of council and act as the elected head of local government.
Current composition
The current members of the governing body of council are:
| 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
| 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 |
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| 9th | 2013–2016 |
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| 9th | 2016–2019 |
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| 10th | 2019–2022 | Aaron Hawkins (Green) |
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| 11th | 2022–2025 | Jules Radich (Team Dunedin) |
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| 12th | 2025–2028 | Sophie Barker |
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Elections
Elections for the councillors for the 2025–2028 term were held in October 2025. Councillor Jules Radich died on 4 January 2026, triggering a by-election held in May 2026. The by-election was won by independent candidate Jo Galer.
List
Council
Mayoral
Community boards
The council has created six local community boards under the provisions of Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002, each with six elected members and one councillor appointed by the council:
- Strath Taieri Community Board
- Waikouaiti Coast Community Board
- Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board
- Saddle Hill Community Board
- West Harbour Community Board, and
- Otago Peninsula Community Board.
These community boards are intended to provide advice to the city council regarding the interests of the communities they represent.
Coat of arms and flag
- Notes
- The city's coat of arms, which were granted in 1947 by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, are emblazoned as:
- 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.
