Vincent Community Board deputy chair Russell Garbutt has publicly announced his resignation from the board last Friday (June 3), citing health reasons and a complaint against Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan.

In a widely circulated statement, Russell said the “tipping point” for his resignation was action taken by Mayor Tim that led him to make a code of conduct complaint against Central Otago District Council (CODC).

In April Russell wrote a letter to the Otago Daily Times responding to a syndicated newspaper column which stated a Radio NZ presenter, in using both English and Te Reo, was “educating noone, patronising Maoridom and barking up a barren linguistic plum tree”.

After Mayor Tim emailed RNZ, identifying Russell as the author of the letter and as a community board member, Russell complained formally to CODC chief executive Sanchia Jacobs.

In his letter of complaint Russell stated he recognises the Maori language as an official language of New Zealand and has “no issue with anyone wishing to learn the Maori language”.

“What I do have an issue with is that my agreement with Joe Bennett’s piece resulted in the mayor using his position by the use of his council email to disclose my position as a community board deputy chair and to link my support of Joe Bennett’s views with the CODC. 

“It is my position that he further impugned my integrity by these actions and associated comments.”

Sanchia has appointed Wellington based lawyer Steph Dyhrberg to determine whether the complaint was material.

Steph has indicated she will take until at least June 10 to assess the complaint.

Russell said in his resignation statement that he found much of the Vincent Community Board’s work to be frustrating, and implied there had been issues where he “question[ed] the motives of those involved”, citing funding for the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery.

Russell also cited the Half Mile trees issue as an example of “pressures being applied to board members while the views of affected community were largely ignored”.

Russell said he would continue his community work with Central Otago Hospice, supporting the Lake Dunstan Trail and in various Central Otago Heritage Trust projects.

The mayor told The Central App that Russell’s decision to resign was disappointing.

“In relation to his claims relating to my action that he says in part led to this decision, Russell laid a code of conduct complaint against me in relation to this four weeks ago. It would be inappropriate of me to comment while we await the outcome of that investigation,” he said.