‘I don't appreciate councillors laughing at me'

Otago Daily Times

08-05-2025

Councillor conduct is again under fire in Dunedin, after a participant in a hearing said she was laughed at during her presentation.
Sarah Ramsay was midway through her submission yesterday to the Dunedin City Council about its 2025-34 long-term plan — expressing opposition to the proposed Smooth Hill landfill near her property — when she called out councillor behaviour.
"I don't appreciate councillors laughing at me while I'm giving a submission," she said.
It was the second time this week a submitter objected mid-presentation to councillor laughter.
Mrs Ramsay had highlighted the proposed landfill would be near Dunedin Airport; she noted the risk of bird strike and asked what the impact on the city's economy would be if Air New Zealand pulled out of Dunedin.
That prompted what Cr Jim O'Malley described as a snort from himself, for which he offered an apology of sorts.
"Sorry for snorting on the Air New Zealand not coming into Dunedin because of the landfill," he said.
Mrs Ramsay confirmed afterwards she had been referring to Cr O'Malley's conduct, which she described as derogatory and extremely disrespectful.
"He just started laughing quite loudly and blatantly while I was talking," she said.
Mrs Ramsay, who had mortgaged her house to fight the Smooth Hill development, said she was not surprised by the reception from Cr O'Malley.
Sarah Ramsay. SOURCE: SUPPLIED
"He's always been very vocal and I would say quite overtly aggressive around anyone having any anti-Smooth Hill sentiment."
On Tuesday, submitter Mike Waddell had been questioning council decision-making about Smooth Hill when he objected to councillor laughter, calling it "pretty appalling".
"Where is the respect?"
On Wednesday, Cr O'Malley tried unsuccessfully to call a point of order for "misrepresentation" after climate activist Bruce Mahalski had asked when zero-carbon action was going to start.
Yesterday, candidate for the city council Rebecca Twemlow, who had called for non-urgent projects to be cut or paused, was asked by Cr Bill Acklin what she was referring to.
Mrs Twemlow said she did not have a list in front of her and then, when asked for an example, did not manage to produce one.
"I really can't answer that off the top of my head," she said.
Jim o'Malley. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Cr O'Malley observed off-mic it could not have been important.
Mrs Twemlow then said: "Sorry, Jim, did you have something to say?"
"Yeah ... to Cr Mayhem," Cr O'Malley said.
Asked by the Otago Daily Times about his conduct at the hearing, Cr O'Malley said politics sometimes required robust discussions, especially in the face of what he considered to be "unfounded criticisms of council decision-making".
"Nevertheless, I accept this stage of the process is designed to give submitters a chance to speak to us, while also providing a chance for us to ask questions, and I accept all submitters deserve respect — which is why I apologised for my behaviour at the first opportunity [yesterday]."
Having hearings during an election year had resulted in "some presenters coming to the hearings armed with positions put forward by council and mayoral candidates" that were factually incorrect.
"Councillors do need to consider issues with open minds, but we also need to form views based on the information we're presented, and I make no apology for doing so or for arguing in favour of the landfill from an informed position."
Mayor Jules Radich said councillors needed to show "respect for every submitter and to attend hearings ready to listen and question politely".
Submitters needed to show respect for councillors and staff and take care not to present misinformation as fact, he said.
"I've reminded both submitters and colleagues of these considerations during this week."