The exchange involved long-standing councillors Ian Pottinger and Darren Ludlow, who was chairing the committee meeting.
Following an impassioned presentation from a member of the public about a development affecting the wellbeing of hens at his poultry business, Cr Pottinger questioned why he had not received answers to questions he had personally put to the council.
Cr Ludlow said if Cr Pottinger had been listening, he would have heard the answer already.
Following further exchanges and disagreement, Cr Ludlow said he was chairing and asked for the next question.
‘‘Sorry, I didn’t get the email, that democracy was not in place today,’’ Cr Pottinger said.
‘‘[Your] comment’s not welcome, councillor,’’ Cr Ludlow responded.
Cr Pottinger then said the matter was about trying to help the citizen who presented.
‘‘Yes councillor, so if you’d hop off your grandstand for a second,’’ Cr Ludlow said.
Soon after, an exchange also took place between Cr Ludlow and Cr Grant Dermody.
Cr Dermody asked a question of the presenter but was cut off by Cr Ludlow, who said the question had already been asked.
‘‘What question was I going to ask?’’ Cr Dermody queried, before making a comment about mind reading.
Tuesday’s events were not the first time Cr Ludlow has curbed questions as chairman of a meeting.
In February, Cr Ria Bond was accused by Cr Ludlow of asking a question she already knew the answer to.
When she asked if she could speak, he responded ‘‘I’m the chair’’.
Cr Pottinger is in his fifth term at the council, while Cr Ludlow is in his seventh.
Both Cr Dermody and Cr Bond are first-term councillors.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
