Cr Lee Vandervis - who pushed for the investigation in 2017 - had also been blocked from speaking at the meeting earlier this month, prompting him to quit that meeting. When Cr Vandervis maintained he only endorsed a delay releasing the report - not stalling work on it - the debate became heated. "Then you are calling us dishonest and you will leave the meeting,'' Mr Cull said. However, after taking advice during an adjournment, Mr Cull relented - apologising for the "ill-advised'' process and allowing further debate. Cr Vandervis then finally had his chance, telling the meeting any decision to revoke an earlier council motion was "a big deal''.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 28, 2019 19:30 UTC