It came from Cr Bill Acklin, who suggested it might be best if Cr David Benson-Pope went back to Parliament — if his preferred political party would just accept him.
The context was something as unremarkable as working out a meeting agenda for a catch-up with Southland MP Joseph Mooney, but correspondence deteriorated to the extent Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich would end up being accused of issuing a "gagging order" to city councillors.
The Otago Daily Times has obtained emails from the Dunedin City Council under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, providing indications of communication behind the scenes.
At the heart of it was establishing which issues might be raised in a 45-minute meeting last month with Mr Mooney, a National MP, and the mayor’s mentality about this.
Councillors contributed a list that initially added up to 11 items, ranging from electricity generation to promises about Dunedin’s new hospital.
Mr Radich told councillors meetings with MPs would "serve us poorly if they are simply an attack on their policy".
As councillors knew themselves, it was "tiresome when someone repeatedly attacks decisions we have made".
If a suggestion fitted with government policy, "then it has some chance of generating enthusiasm", he said.
"Otherwise, we are unlikely to have return visits from Mr Mooney and others with direct influence."
Cr Benson-Pope asked if a change of government had brought about a change of approach for the council.
"Absolutely not", the mayor replied.
"We did not harangue the previous government’s MPs either."
Cr Benson-Pope noted Mr Radich had in the past campaigned against council decisions already made, so it was "reasonable to describe that as hypocritical at least".
Cr Acklin said relentless attacks on the mayor were becoming tiresome.
"It seems to me your bullish attitude fits better in Parliament," Cr Acklin told Cr Benson-Pope.
"Perhaps you should go back there. Oh, that’s right ... the party don’t want you."
Cr Benson-Pope is a former cabinet minister in Labour-led governments.
Cr Carmen Houlahan — who had asked for smoking, the Resource Management Act, nurses heading for Australia, funding models for local government and Three Waters to be on the agenda — said she felt Cr Benson-Pope had a point.
Councillors had been asked to note issues they wanted raised, "which we did", she said.
"I don’t think this is attacking."
Cr Steve Walker — who wanted reduced or minimal investment in transport choices and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi subsidies discussed — said Cr Benson-Pope had provided a factual recollection, "particularly the observation around campaigning against decisions already made".
Cr Walker would later accuse the mayor of issuing a gagging order.
Cr Benson-Pope asked for "hospital promises" and "pathology building" to be on the agenda.
By the morning of the meeting, the list of issues had been extended, as Cr Benson-Pope asked for the possibility of another medical school outside Otago to be raised and Cr Christine Garey sought discussion of immigration issues.
Mr Radich said after the meeting he wanted all of the council’s communication with government — MPs and officials — to be "cordial, polite and respectful".
"This was also our aspiration in dealings with the previous government."
