Mayor Dave Cull

Mayor of Dunedin, LGNZ President

Biography

Prior to becoming Mayor of Dunedin in 2010, Dave Cull completed a BA in Political Science at the University of Otago before embarking on an extensive career in the TV and print media and publishing a number of books.

Since becoming Mayor, Dave has focused on both economic and environmental sustainability as Dunedin realizes its vision of being one of the world’s great small cities.

Under his leadership, Dunedin has become a much more outward looking city. He has strengthened international relationships, education and business links with China, particularly with Dunedin’s sister city Shanghai as well as friendship cities of Qingyuan and Qingdao.

Dave highlighted the city’s thriving creative sector to the world by achieving UNESCO Creative City of Literature status, and has promoted heightened awareness of 21st century challenges such as climate change.

In July 2017, Dave became the President of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) – the representative body that interacts and advocates with central government on behalf of the diverse councils and territorial authorities of New Zealand.

Springing from his role at LGNZ, Dave is a Vice Chair of Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), whose mandate is to promote democratic local governments across the Commonwealth encouraging the exchange of best practice. Dave is also a Co-President of United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC), that advocates for democratic local self-government, and promotes cooperation between governments within the Asia Pacific Region.