From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 20s
Dunedin Councillor Doubles Down on Asset Sale Claims
Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong insists city forests are secretly sold despite warnings to retract claims.
In brief
Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong insists city forests are secretly sold despite warnings to retract claims. Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong doubled down on claims city forests were secretly sold after being warned to retract them. Originally reported by RNZ.
Dunedin Councillor Faces Deadline
Dunedin city councillor Benedict Ong was given until a deadline to retract claims city forests were secretly sold or face a fourth code of conduct complaint.
Ong Doubles Down on Claims
Ong posted audio of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley alleging possible sale of council-controlled City Forests days before the deadline.
Council Chief Executive Warns
Dunedin City Council chief executive Richard Briggs said Ong's claims were false and he needed to take down posts and publish a correction.
Ong's Previous Code of Conduct Breaches
Ong had been found in breach of the code three times in the past year, including a suspension from committees for nine months until July 2027.
Ong's Resignation Threat
Ong claimed he would resign as councillor if he did not win the Dunedin electorate, but has been trespassed from the University of Otago.
Next Steps for Ong
Ong faces possible legal actions and a fourth code of conduct complaint after being warned to retract claims.
The one thing
Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong doubled down on claims city forests were secretly sold after being warned to retract them.
