Dave Cull Explained

Dave Cull
Order4:57th
Office4:Mayor of Dunedin
Term Start4:27 October 2010
Term End4:18 October 2019
Predecessor4:Peter Chin
Successor4:Aaron Hawkins
Birth Date:1 April 1950
Birth Place:Invercargill, New Zealand
Party:Greater Dunedin (2007–2016)
Spouse:Joan Wilson
Children:2
Residence:Portobello Road, Otago Peninsula, Dunedin
Profession:writer, broadcaster

David Charles Cull (1 April 1950 – 27 April 2021) was the mayor of the city of Dunedin in New Zealand. He became the 57th Mayor of Dunedin in October 2010 and was re-elected in both the 2013 mayoralty race and 2016 mayoral election. Before politics, he was a presenter for Television New Zealand and an author.

Early life and career before politics

Cull was born and grew up in Invercargill, where he attended Southland Boys' High School.[1] He obtained a BA and PG Dip in political science at the University of Otago.[2]

He had worked as a television presenter for Television New Zealand, hosting lifestyle and home improvement shows including Home Front, and was a writer who had published several books.[3]

He was married to Joan Wilson, with whom he had two daughters.[4] [5]

Political career

David Cull was elected to the Dunedin City Council in 2007. During his time as a councillor, he opposed the new stadium, which has since become a financial drain on the council.[6] In the 2010 Dunedin mayoral election, he was one of seven candidates, one of whom was incumbent mayor Peter Chin. Cull stood as part of the Greater Dunedin group[7] and was successful.[8] He took office as mayor on 27 October 2010.[9]

Cull expressed support for a controversial planned waterfront hotel that at 28 storeys, would tower over much of the city.[10] In March 2014, Cull entered a memorandum of understanding with the developer on behalf of Dunedin City Council, but the agreement fell over and was terminated a month later, which meant the end of the project.[11]

In January 2013, Cull announced that he would seek re-election in that year's mayoral election.[12] On election day, he beat ex ACT MP Hilary Calvert, Councillor Lee Vandervis, and six other challengers.[13]

In December 2015, Cull was involved in a heated exchange with Councillor Vandervis, who alleged that Cull had paid a bribe to secure a Council contract in the 1980s. Vandevis subsequently filed a defamation suit seeking NZ$250,000 in general damages and NZ$250,000 in exemplary damages plus legal costs, alleging that Cull had defamed him when responding to that claim. In July 2017, Vandervis settled the lawsuit out of court due to legal delays and spiraling costs but declined to apologise to Cull.[14]

In July 2017, Cull was elected as the president of Local Government New Zealand.[15] He had previously served as the organisation's vice-president and chair of its metro committee.

In late May 2019, Cull announced he would not seek re-election at that year's mayoral election.[16] [17] In mid August 2019, Cull announced that he would be contesting local body elections for the Southern District Health Board;[18] he was elected, and then appointed the Board's Chair in December 2019.[19]

Death

Cull was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2020. After undergoing chemotherapy treatment and spending several weeks in hospital, he died at his home on 27 April 2021, aged 71.[20] [21] [22]

In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours, Cull was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to local government. The award had been approved by the Queen before Cull's death.[23]

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mayor Dave Cull . . 13 July 2015 . 23 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221201/http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/councillors/mayor-dave-cull . dead .
  2. Web site: Dave Cull . Elections2010 . 9 October 2010.
  3. Web site: Dave Cull . . 13 July 2015.
  4. News: Loughrey. David. Mayoral Profile: Dave Cull. 13 July 2015. Otago Daily Times. 7 September 2010.
  5. News: Figures reveal Cull's crushing victory . 13 July 2015 . . 13 October 2013.
  6. News: Debbie . Porteous . Dunedin stadium a drain on council funds . 13 July 2015 . . Otago Daily Times . 24 January 2014.
  7. News: Brown to rule Auckland, Wellington holds breath for winner. 10 October 2010 . Otago Daily Times . 10 October 2010.
  8. News: Cull wins Dunedin mayoralty . . 9 October 2010 . 9 October 2010.
  9. Web site: Gallery full as Cull sworn in. Otago Daily Times. 27 October 2010. 31 October 2010.
  10. News: Mayor backs controversial hotel. 3 News NZ. 18 March 2013. 18 March 2013. 13 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131013082420/http://www.3news.co.nz/Mayor-backs-controversial-hotel-development/tabid/421/articleID/290703/Default.aspx. dead.
  11. News: Dunedin $100m waterfront hotel plans scrapped . 13 July 2015 . . Otago Daily Times . 15 April 2014.
  12. News: Morris . Chris . Councillors reveal election year priorities . 24 May 2013 . . 5 January 2013.
  13. Web site: Dunedin City Council Results . 12 October 2013 . . 12 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221236/http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/electoral-information/2013-election-results/dcc-results . 23 September 2015 . dead .
  14. News: McNeilly . Hamish . Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's defamation lawsuit settled for $50k . 24 August 2021 . . 7 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190705221249/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94479793/dunedin-mayor-dave-culls-defamation-lawsuit-settled-for-50k . 5 July 2019. live.
  15. News: David Loughrey . Cull new head of LGNZ . Otago Daily Times.
  16. News: Long-serving Dunedin mayor Dave Cull to stand down. McNeilly. Hamish. 29 May 2019. Stuff. 23 August 2019.
  17. News: Morris . Chris . Cull standing down . 27 August 2019 . . 28 May 2019.
  18. News: Houlahan . Mike . Cull shock entrant in SDHB race . 27 August 2019 . . 12 August 2019.
  19. News: Houlahan . Mike . Cull and Chambers top SDHB poll . 1 November 2019 . . 13 October 2019.
  20. News: Former Dunedin mayor Dave Cull dies . 27 April 2021 . Stuff.co.nz . Liz . McDonald.
  21. News: Former Dunedin mayor Dave Cull dies . 27 April 2021 . Otago Daily Times.
  22. News: Miller . Grant . Committed to his community . 28 April 2021 . . 28 April 2021.
  23. Web site: Queen's Birthday honours list 2021 . 7 June 2021 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 7 June 2021.