First the robe, then the handshakes

If Mayor Dave Cull's second term is destined to be tougher than his first, then his battle with an unco-operative mayoral robe may be an early omen.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull battles his way into the mayoral robe for a second term, helped by Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders, at yesterday's inaugural meeting of the new council. Photo by Craig Baxter.

It was the same robe that appeared to slide on so easily three years ago, but this time took on a life of its own.

As the cameras clicked and zoomed and a packed public gallery looked on, Mr Cull's attempts to don it turned into an exhibition of twisting, turning and eventually a bit of a glare.

Thankfully, council chief executive Paul Orders, wearing a white wig and the beginnings of a smirk, was on hand to help out.

But having only just managed to get it on, Mr Cull was soon taking it off again - protesting that he was starting to overheat and was ''going to expire at any moment''.

Luckily for Mr Cull, his 14 councillors were better behaved than the robe as they took turns to swear an oath of office and engage in hearty handshakes with the mayor.

Earlier, they were welcomed into the council chamber for the first time by the skirl of a lone piper playing Flower of Scotland, and then a karakia (prayer) and mihi whakatau (welcome).

Mr Orders explained the symbolic meaning behind the mayor's robe, chain, hat and gloves, before administering Mr Cull's oath on behalf of the city.

Mr Cull then took the oaths of each councillor, in alphabetical order, to warm applause after each became one of the city's elected representatives for the next three years.