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A Dunedin councillor who received international media attention over a bathroom broadcast blamed the city’s mayor for turning it into “a bigger story”.
Emails show Cr Jo Galer took issue with Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker’s reaction of surprise to the unconventional way she had joined a Dunedin City Council meeting online — via a hotel bathroom and with washing hanging in the background.
Ms Barker apologised for this and also for signalling at the public meeting that Cr Galer was overseas.
An exchange of emails was obtained by the Otago Daily Times under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
Much of the content was redacted, including to “maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions”.
One email from Cr Galer to the mayor had an extensive amount that was redacted for being “free and frank” — and Cr Russell Lund was copied in.
Content was also redacted for protection of privacy and because it was deemed “not relevant”.
At the start of a council meeting on August 3, Ms Barker said two councillors would be joining it from the other side of the world.
About an hour in, Cr Lund spoke.
Cr Galer was next and councillors were surprised by her choice of background. The mayor advised Cr Galer she might want to shift her camera, as her washing was visible.
The interaction was picked up by national and international media and has been viewed millions of times.
In an email on August 5, Ms Barker apologised if her reaction was seen as a put-down.
“It was not intended to be, just to let you know that you might want to move your camera angle, or blur your background.
“I have been caught out in the past on Zoom, as have many of us, so it was a matter of courtesy.”
Cr Galer said she appreciated the personal apology.
“However, it does not resolve the public perception that has been created from this.
“Your comments drew attention to the background and made this a bigger story — I’m sure you would appreciate the impact this type of story has on family members.”
On Wednesday, Cr Galer confirmed some initial frustration, but said she had not been angry.
“Something happens, you have a reaction, you discuss it with people, then you think about it some more, and then you move on.
“I still stand by the fact that it was all taken largely in good humour.”
At one point during her speech on the meeting livestream, a figure could be made out behind a door and a hand seemed to come into view.
On August 6, Cr Galer referred to some reaction on social media.
This included that low resolution had prevented identification of the laundry items “and those who prioritise substance over performance, and basic courtesy, wouldn’t look at them anyway”, she said.
“At best this was unremarkable, or something to gently ‘rib’ Cr Galer about in good humour: Packets of pegs as presents perhaps,” she said, apparently quoting a social media comment.
“The person in the background left after apparently ascertaining what was occurring. That indicates the choice of venue was effective in ensuring uninterrupted privacy.”
Further down, Cr Galer said: “FYI, I have been asked for multiple international media interviews, including ABC Australia.”
In a social media post at the time, Cr Mandy Mayhem said Cr Galer was in Glasgow with Cr Lund.
On August 7, Ms Barker told Cr Galer she was extremely sorry about a breach of privacy, “for mentioning that you were attending from the other side of the world”.
“It was an error on my part and I apologise deeply for the impact on you and your family.”
The exchange indicated some confusion about whether cameras were required to be on when councillors joined meetings remotely and Ms Barker also sought to clarify expectations around absences and confidentiality.
“I was unaware that your trip away was confidential, so have asked all councillors to make it clear when they write re absences to clarify their status,” she told Cr Galer.
Notification of Cr Galer’s holiday was “verbal to me”, the mayor said.
On August 10, Ms Barker thanked Cr Galer for “advising me of the circumstances around your attendance at the meeting”.
“You are welcome to send an email to councillors explaining all your difficulties in attending the meeting as outlined in your email.”
On August 12, Cr Galer reflected on the incident and said after reading people’s comments she had “not laughed so much in ages”.
“I was pleasantly surprised at the largely supportive commentary I received for keeping calm and carrying on.
“Maybe perfect, manicured or blurred backgrounds are not as authentic as the washing hanging up in the shower.”
Cr Galer told the mayor “I can see there was no malice from you in reacting as you did”.
“In hindsight, I realise you and I were both effectively surprised by the fact my hotel washing was visible.”