Archivist Bill Sykes (67) began as a senior records officer, in what used to be the town clerk's department, in 1984, and finished yesterday, after 26 years with the council.
Archivist since 1999, he said he had developed a thorough knowledge of the city and its history, after years of providing information to council staff, genealogists, historians, students and authors who needed what was stored in the archive.
The role involved being both "inquisitive and intuitive", because it involved working out what people really wanted, rather than what they thought they wanted.
The archive collection includes books, maps, plans, property records, photographs, minutes, correspondence, videos, CDs, microfilm, honours boards and artefacts from 150 organisations.
He planned to do some serious work in his garden, and travel.
"My adventure is life after the Dunedin City Council."
