Sophie has been elected Mayor of Dunedin, becoming only the second woman to hold the role in the city’s history. An incumbent councillor, Barker secured 16,001 votes, finishing 726 votes ahead of runner-up Andrew Simms in the preliminary results.In her post-election message, Barker expressed gratitude to the community for their support, saying she was “humbled and honoured” by the trust placed in her and her vision for Dunedin. She paid tribute to those who paved the way before her, acknowledging the milestone of following in the footsteps of Dunedin’s first female mayor, Sukhi Turner.Looking ahead to her mayoral term, Barker has outlined a clear set of priorities, including advocating strongly for Dunedin Hospital, ensuring value for ratepayers, improving council culture, promoting the city, and fostering economic growth. Her election marks a new chapter for Dunedin, one shaped by optimism, inclusivity, and a commitment to the city’s future.

<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Sophie has been elected Mayor of Dunedin, becoming only the second woman to hold the role in the city’s history. An incumbent councillor, Barker secured 16,001 votes, finishing 726 votes ahead of runner-up Andrew Simms in the preliminary results.</div>
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<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">In her post-election message, Barker expressed gratitude to the community for their support, saying she was “humbled and honoured” by the trust placed in her and her vision for Dunedin. She paid tribute to those who paved the way before her, acknowledging the milestone of following in the footsteps of Dunedin’s first female mayor, Sukhi Turner.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-inline: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Segoe UI Historic', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">Looking ahead to her mayoral term, Barker has outlined a clear set of priorities, including advocating strongly for Dunedin Hospital, ensuring value for ratepayers, improving council culture, promoting the city, and fostering economic growth. Her election marks a new chapter for Dunedin, one shaped by optimism, inclusivity, and a commitment to the city’s future.</div>
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John Cowan hosts ‘Real Life’, a weekly nationwide chat show on Newstalk ZB featuring a different high-profile guest every week. John talks with them about their life, their upbringing, their passions and their view of the world.

Real Life With John Cowan

Sophie Barker - Mayor of Dunedin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3f1d302e-871d-42a5-a831-b38900739e1c/transcript

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