Dave Cull, a former Dunedin mayor, health board chairman, local government leader, and television presenter, has died.
Cull, 71, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. He received treatment before moving into hospice care and then returning home to be with his family.
He opted against seeking mayoral re-election in 2019 after three terms, and stepped down as chairman of the Southern District Health Board last year due to his ill health.
Between 2017 and 2020 Cull was president of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). He also served as a Pacific co-president of the United Cities and Local Governments organisation’s Asia-Pacific region, and as vice chairman of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Wilson, two daughters, and grandchildren.
Originally from Invercargill, Cull studied political studies at Universityof Otago, then worked as a furniture maker and carpenter until becoming a television presenter on home renovation shows in the 1980s.
He presented or featured on programmes including Home Front, Renovators, Open Home, Town & Country, Maggie's Garden Show and Master Builders House of the Year. He also published books on a wide range of topics.
LGNZ president Stuart Crosby said Cull had been “a tremendous advocate for local government” and had a great talent for forging meaningful relationships with a wide range of people.
“His ability to communicate was something he no doubt developed across many roles he held in his life – as a carpenter, TV presenter, author, speaker and elected member among many things,” Crosby said.
Current Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins said that he had lost a colleague, friend and mentor.
Hawkins said that nationally, Cull’s LGNZ leadership had been critical in building wider sector support for decision making on climate change. Dunedin City Council’s relationship with iwi had been built on Cull’s shoulders, Hawkins said.
The council’s chief executive, Sandy Graham, said Cull’s death would be widely felt at the council.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time.”
Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said she was “deeply saddened” to hear of Cull's death. He was a colleague and friend, she said.
He led the Dunedin council through a period of restrained financial management following the global financial crisis and the “added debt burden” of the Forsyth Barr stadium, she said.
“He worked to restore trust and faith in council following the bitter debate over [the stadium] that divided the community.”
At a national level, Cull provided leadership to LGNZ as it grappled with climate change, infrastructure deficits, and the impacts of Covid-19.
Southern DHB chairman Pete Hodgson said Cull was only able to offer his services as chairman for a short time, but his “passion for making a difference to the community, and belief in people’s capacity to work together to effect change, was palpable”.
“He brought an infectious enthusiasm to the role, and his many gifts in bringing people together and articulating a vision for the future are warmly acknowledged, and will be sadly missed.”
