# Dunedin Councillor Doubles Down on Asset Sale Claims

> Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong insists city forests are secretly sold despite warnings to retract claims.
- Title: Dunedin Councillor Doubles Down on Asset Sale Claims · RNZ
- Summary: Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong insists city forests are secretly sold despite warnings to retract claims. Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong doubled down on…
- Keywords: benedict ong, dunedin city council, code of conduct, city forests, dunedin, councillor, secret asset sale, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/regional/2338379/dunedin-councillor-doubles-down-on-secret-asset-sale-claims
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-04T04:35:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: benedict ong, dunedin city council, code of conduct, city forests, dunedin, councillor, secret asset sale, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong doubled down on claims city forests were secretly sold after being warned to retract them.