Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull let the decorum slip a little during a council meeting yesterday when he angrily inquired of a member of the public if they were "deaf of just stupid?"
The outburst was directed at Port Chalmers resident Stu Debenham who had embarked on a personal attack on Mr Cull's local and overseas travel - suggesting he was neglecting his Mayoral duties, the Otago Daily Times reported .
The frustrated question from Mr Cull received gasps from those assembled at the Dunedin City Council meeting and was followed with a quick apology.
Mr Cull said he wanted to "apologise for implying you were stupid" to Mr Debenham, but also insisted he end his "repetitious, disrespectful and offensive" tirade which had prompted his outburst.
Mr Debenham had turned up to discuss a "health and safety" issue during a public forum but quickly descended into a criticism of Mr Cull's dual role as Local Government New Zealand president.
During his attack, Mr Debenham described Mr Cull as a three-day-a-week mayor.
Fellow councilor Kate Wilson then attempt to make a point of order, and the commotion led Mr Cull to make the deaf, stupid comment as Mr Debenham continued to talk.
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