Dunedin city councillor Fliss Butcher unexpectedly quit yesterday's Dunedin City Council meeting, leaving another councillor to confirm Cr Butcher had rejected a nomination as deputy chairwoman of a committee.
Cr Butcher was nominated as deputy chairwoman of the new council's planning and environment committee in a report prepared by Mayor Dave Cull after meetings with councillors last week.
However, she failed to return after a short break at yesterday's meeting, leaving the committee's new chairwoman, Cr Kate Wilson, to explain Cr Butcher no longer wanted the role.
Cr Teresa Stevenson was instead named as Cr Butcher's replacement.
It was not clear exactly why Cr Butcher quit yesterday's meeting, with Cr Paul Hudson telling the meeting she was "not well", but Mr Cull saying that he had not received a formal apology for her absence.
Cr Butcher did not return calls or respond to emails after the meeting.
Her departure came after she criticised the nomination of Cr Chris Staynes as deputy mayor last week, saying the move lacked "diversity".
The structure of the council's committees would be reviewed after one year, Mr Cull said yesterday.
