Chris Morris

Former cabinet minister David Benson-Pope spent more than $7000 to help secure his return to the Dunedin City Council, documents show.

John Farry is sure he is alighting at the right stop. Mr Farry, the chairman of Taieri Gorge Railway Ltd since its inception, yesterday stepped down from the role after more than 20 years at the controls.

The Dunedin City Council's group of companies has unveiled fresh changes after the recruitment of four new directors, including two heavy-hitters, and the departure of four familiar faces.

Outspoken city councillor Lee Vandervis, who complained of being sidelined from senior posts within the Dunedin City Council, rejected at least three other roles offered by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, it has emerged.

If Mayor Dave Cull's second term is destined to be tougher than his first, then his battle with an unco-operative mayoral robe may be an early omen.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's plea for a fresh start fell on deaf ears yesterday, after Cr Lee Vandervis mounted a bid to grab more power at the inaugural meeting of the new Dunedin City Council.

Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis has been accused of misrepresenting former Olympian Kashi Leuchs' views on cycleways to ''push forward his own agenda'' at a recent Dunedin City Council meeting.

Support for Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's appointments will be put to the test when councillors take their seats for the first time in public today.

The blast of noise and smoke as a tank engine fires up brings a smile to the face of Mark Cameron.

Ratepayers could face a bill of more than $600,000 as a dispute between the Dunedin City Council and one of its incoming city councillors rumbles on.

The Saddle Hill Community Board is looking for a new leader after three-term chairman Keith McFadyen ruled out seeking another stint at the top of the table yesterday.

Opponents are rallying against a proposed crackdown on skateboarding in Dunedin that could lead to riders' boards being confiscated.

A small number of redundancies are expected as the Dunedin City Council moves to outsource some of its water maintenance work to Christchurch City Council-owned City Care.