Lee Vandervis: Difference between revisions

Lee Vandervis
Lee Vandervis
Councillor for the Dunedin City Council
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 2004
Personal details
Born	1955 (age 68–69); Balclutha, New Zealand
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Known for	Dunedin mayoral candidate; Opponent of Forsyth Barr Stadium
Website	Official website

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Lee Vandervis (born 1955) is a local-body politician who was first elected to the Dunedin City Council in the 2004 local elections. Vandervis has run for mayor in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022; finishing second in 2007 and 2019. Vandervis failed to win mayor again in 2022, but he was re-elected to the Council. ^[1]

Early life and career

Lee Vandervis was born in 1955^[2]^{[better source needed]} in Balclutha. He is the second son of Dutch immigrant parents.^[2]^{[better source needed]} Vandervis received a BA in Philosophy from the University of Otago, and has worked as a music technician. In the mid 1970s he went to the United Kingdom and worked as an acoustic engineer for Midas Audio. In 1981, Vandervis returned to Dunedin and set up Vandervision Lighting Audio and Video in the early 1980s.^[2]^{[better source needed]}^[3]

Politics

At the 1984 New Zealand general election Vandervis stood for Bob Jones' New Zealand Party in the Dunedin North electorate. He polled in third place.^[4]

2004–2013 terms

In 2004 Vandervis successfully stood for the Dunedin City as a Council councillor and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor coming third with 9.1% of the vote.^[5] In the 2007 election he stood on a platform opposing then proposed replacement stadium for Carisbrook. He was defeated both as a councillor (by a margin of four votes after the counting of the special votes), as well as a mayoral candidate.^[6]^[7] He came second after the incumbent, Peter Chin, but only gained 17% of the votes.^[7] During the 2010 election campaign one of his volunteers installing an election hoarding pierced an 11 kV cable near Mosgiel causing a power outage to 747 consumers. The site had been designated for hoarding by the Council, but no mention of the presence of the cable had been made; the volunteer was unharmed.^[8] Vandervis was again third in the Mayoral race with 15.2% of the vote. He was re-elected as a Councillor.

Vandervis served as the Chair of the Dunedin City Council Heritage Fund and the Heritage Buildings Re-use Committee.He resigned from that role on 22 September 2020. ^{[citation needed]} He is also on the Board of the Otago Settlers Museum.^{[citation needed]}

Vandervis states that he is focused on challenging misrepresented projects and bureaucratic waste.^[7]^[9] At times he is controversial. His criticism of Community Board's being a waste of time raised their ire.^[10] He has also had clashes over bus shelters,^[11] criticised Council's financial management – especially the $480,000 bailout of the Otago Rugby Union,^[12]^[13] and faced criticism over his suggestion that Christchurch's earthquake rebuild could be shifted to Dunedin.^[14]

Vandervis has suggested that Christchurch's proposed stadium would be a waste of money.^[15] His comments were based on his experience with Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.^[16] Vandervis supports the rebuild of the Christchurch Cathedral, which was partially destroyed in the earthquakes.^[17]

2013–2016 term

Lee Vandervis stood for re-election in the October 2013 local election as a Dunedin City Councillor; he also contested the Dunedin mayoralty for the fourth time.^[18] He was elected as to Council and placed third for the mayoralty.^[19] The Mayor, Dave Cull, did not appoint Vandervis to any committees, commenting that he had no confidence he could contribute constructively, nor maintain any of the relationships needed to do the work effectively.^[20]

On 16 March 2015, Lee Vandervis was subject to a code of conduct hearing dealing with three complaints against him for his alleged bullying, aggressive, and misleading behaviour. Vandervis has defended his actions. The city councillor had been involved in an argument with the Dunedin City Council's chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose and had criticised the council and the local police's investigation of the illegal sale of 150 the Council's Cityfleet vehicles to local residents. On 1 May 2015, Vandervis was temporarily stripped of his voting rights after failing to apologise for these actions.^[21]^[22] According to the Otago Daily Times journalist Kim Dungey, Vandervis was well known within Dunedin circles for his acrimonious relationship with Mayor Cull and several city councillors; taking issue with the council's alleged misspending of public money, the Cityfleet fraud case, and property speculation by Council's Delta Utility Services.^[3] In addition, Vandervis has also opposed a 3.8% rates increase and has called for the council to cut back on staff numbers and to "be run more like a business."^[23]

2016-2019 term

In October 2016, Vandervis contested the 2016 mayoral and local elections. Though he was not elected as Mayor, Vandervis was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor.^[24]

In July 2017, Vandervis settled a defamation lawsuit against Mayor Cull for NZ$50,000 due to legal delays and spiralling costs. Vandervis had sued Cull following an exchange in December 2015 in which Vandervis alleged that Cull paid a bribe to secure a council contract in the 1980s. Vandervis claimed that Cull, in his response to the allegations, had defamed him. Vandervis originally sought NZ$250,000 in general damages and NZ$250,000 in exemplary damages along with legal costs. The lawsuit was settled without an apology.^[25]

In late August 2019, the Otago Daily Times reported that Vandervis was the subject of 11 complaints of inappropriate behaviour, angry and shouting, insulting, threatening, unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, and intimidating behaviour against several Dunedin City Council staff members and members of the public. Vandervis was also criticised by Mayor Cull and several fellow councillors including Rachel Elder, Aaron Hawkins, and Mike Lord for alleged bullying and intimidating behaviour.^[26]^[27] In response, Vandervis defended his actions and claimed that he was the victim of a smear campaign timed to coincide with the 2019 Dunedin mayoral election.^[28] In early September 2019, Vandervis drew criticism when he made remarks that young voters were ignorant or did not care about candidates during a mayoral debate organised by the Otago University Students' Association.^[29] Vandervis subsequently apologised for his remarks.^[30]

2019–2022 parking ticket dispute

In mid-September 2019, a twelfth complaint was lodged against Vandervis after he allegedly verbally abused some DCC staff members over a parking ticket.^[31]^[32] Vandervis contested the complaint and uploaded a CCTV video on social media to support his claim that he did not verbally abuse. David Benham, chairman of the Otago Regional Council's audit and risk subcommittee, was tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the matter.^[33] On 10 December, Vandervis was censured by his fellow councillors for the parking ticket incident. In response, he alleged that his privacy was breached at a critical time of the election campaign.^[34]

Vandveris litigated the censure and code of conduct review through a 2020 judicial review at the High Court, and in March 2022 appealed the result of this to the Court of Appeal, New Zealand's principal intermediate appellate court. The Court of Appeal agreed with both the judicial review and the initial process that the Council had followed, with the exception of noting that Vandervis should have received a written copy of the allegation made against him.^[35]^[36] In June 2022 the Dunedin City Council was awarded costs of $101,682.85.^[35]^[37]

In July 2022 Vandervis sought leave from the Supreme Court of New Zealand to hear the case.^[38] The Supreme Court rejected Vandervis' legal team's application for leave to appeal his parking ticket fine in September. The Supreme Court also upheld the Court of Appeal's decision to uphold Vandervis' ticket fine.^[1]

2019–2022 term

On 12 October 2019, Vandervis was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor but lost the mayoral contest to Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand candidate Aaron Hawkins.^[39]^[40]

In mid-October 2020, independent investigator Steph Dyhrberg found that Vandervis had engaged in intimidatory behaviour during an argument with Deputy Mayor Christine Garey in late July 2020. While apologising for his conduct, Vandervis defended his efforts to hold city councillors and staff to account for allegedly "not doing their job."^[41] During a conduct hearing held on 27 October, Vandervis' fellow councillors called on him to apologise for his behaviour and seek professional help with anger management, with Mayor Aaron Hawkins likening him to a four-year old. Vandervis remained defiant during the hearing, alleging that the problem was council mismanagement and misrepresentation. The Dunedin City Council also warned Vandervis that they would revoke his membership of the Otago Museum Trust Board and the district licensing committee if a "suitable apology" was not delivered.^[42]^[43]

In August 2021, Vandervis disagreed with the Dunedin City Council's proposal for a destination playground,^[1] instead advocating adventure playgrounds where children and young people can play with water, fire, and build with pallets.^[44]^[45] Vandervis' views were supported by University of Otago geography Professor Claire Freeman, who said that contemporary children experienced less freedom than previous generations, reducing their ability to handle risk.^[46]

In mid-September 2021, Vandervis attracted media attention and criticism after he published several COVID-19–related social media posts questioning the effectiveness of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and advocating the use of the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin for treating COVID-19.^[47]

In early October 2021, Vandervis led an anti-lockdown "Families Freedom Picnic" that was held in Dunedin's Queens Gardens. During the protest, Vandervis spoke about the effects of lockdown regulations on local businesses, freedom of speech, and the pressure to be vaccinated.^[48]

In November 2021 Vandervis voted against a proposed rainbow pedestrian crossing (styled after the Cuba Street rainbow crossing).^[49] The proposal was initiated by Dudley Benson, to create a visual representation of Dunedin's queer community and stand against bullying, homophobia and transphobia.^[50] A petition in support for the crossing received 6,502 signatures.^[51]^[52] As the only councillor of 14 who voted against the proposal,^[53]^[54]^[55] Vandervis said: "To me, this is quite seriously a piece of ridiculous PC virtue signalling."^[49] Deputy Mayor Christine Garey said Vandervis' comments regarding the proposal were ‘‘offensive and embarrassing in 2021 in our city’’.^[56]

In early December 2021, Vandervis objected to the Dunedin City Council's vaccine pass requirement for accessing council premises and services as part of the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 Protection Framework. Since Vandervis had chosen not to get vaccinated for COVID-19, he was only allowed to attend virtual council meetings. He claimed that the Governments' COVID-19 policies breached the right to refuse medical treatment under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, free speech, lawful assembly, and justice.^[57] On 7 December, Vandervis was trespassed from the Dunedin City Council for three months after attempting to attend meeting without a COVID-19 vaccine pass. Vandervis objected to the trespass notice, claiming that access to essential services could not be restricted based on vaccine status.^[58]

On 23 February 2022, Vandervis supported fellow councillor Andrew Whiley's motion for the Dunedin City Council to join "Communities 4 Local Democracy," a coalition of local bodies opposed to the Government's Three Waters reform programme. The motion passed by a narrow margin of eight to seven votes.^[59] On 29 March, the DCC voted by a margin of seven to six to overturn their earlier decision to join "Communities 4 Local Democracy" following a breakdown in the Council's relationship with local Māori runanga (tribal councils). In response, Vandervis condemned the reversal as a rejection of local democracy in favour of "centralised control."^[60]^[61]

In late April 2022, Vandervis was identified as having personally edited his own Wikipedia page, in breach of Wikipedia's conflict of interest policy. His edits removed several relevant passages in the article, including references to various incidents that cast Vandervis in a negative light.^[62] These edits were subsequently reversed.

In mid June 2022, Vandervis drew media attention when he questioned the facts of the September 11 attacks, disputing official and eyewitness accounts that two planes had destroyed the World Trade Center's skyscrapers.^[63]

2022–2025 term

During the 2022 Dunedin local elections, Vandervis ran for Mayor and campaigned on reducing the city's projected debt of NZ$106 million and accused the Dunedin City Council of increasing debt each year.^[64] Though he was defeated during the mayoral race, Lee Vandervis was re-elected as a city councillor.^[65]

On 19 October 2022, he was appointed by Mayor Jules Radich as chairman of finance and council-owned companies. In allocating Vandervis' appointment, Radich described Vandervis as an "astute communicator with constructive ideas" whose past conduct issues had been caused by frustration with the Council leadership.^[66] After he and his fellow councillors were sworn in on 27 October 2022, Vandervis was the only DCC member to oppose the Māori runanga (tribal councils) Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki and Otakou sending representatives to participate in two Council committees.^[67]

In late February 2023, the DCC voted to remove Vandervis as chair of the Council's Disability Issues Advisory Group following concerns raised by the Disabled Persons' Assembly due to Vandervis' remarks towards a disabled candidate named Joshua Perry during the 2016 local body elections. The Council subsequently appointed first-term councillor Mandy Mayhem to the position and reassigned Vandervis as the Council's representative to Age Concern. In response, Vandervis denied that he had intimidated Perry and claimed that their private conversation was being used against him as part of a smear campaign.^[68]

In late March 2023, Vandervis was the only member of the Dunedin City Council to accept an invitation to meet with Vision NZ founder Hannah Tamaki and her husband Brian Tamaki, the founder and leader of Destiny Church. Following the meeting, 50 counter-demonstrators including fellow Dunedin councillors Steve Walker and Marie Laufiso held a rally to protest against the Tamaki's visit to Dunedin.^[69]

In early November 2023, Vandervis criticised a DCC draft submission about emergency management law during a council meeting, claiming that it had a disproportionate focus on "Māori inclusion, Māori remuneration and co-governance." During that meeting, Vandervis traded barbs with fellow councillor Laufiso, who accused him of racism. The Council's submission was subsequently approved by the Council with the exception of Vandervis.^[70]

In early January 2024, Laufiso laid a formal complaint against Vandervis for allegedly showing contempt towards Māori people by refusing to participate in a council forum called Te Pae Māori. Laufiso also claimed that Vandervis made disparaging remarks about Te Pae Māori, which constituted a breach of the DCC's code of conduct. In addition, Vandervis had objected to Claude Monet's La Debacle work at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery being accompanied by what he regarded as an "irrelevant" Māori language text. On 3 January 2024, the DCC confirmed that it had appointed independent investigator Jonathan Boyle to investigate the complaint against Vandervis.^[71]

In mid-March 2024, Vandervis was the sole councillor to oppose a DCC motion to adopt draft operating budgets for the purpose of community engagement. The Council had proposed increasing rates by 17.5%. In his response, Vandervis said that "what is evident to me is that we cannot wantonly spend our way to success. We cannot increase debt by over $100m a year to success."^[72]

On 29 May, Vandervis was the only member of the Dunedin City Council to vote against a motion asking the New Zealand government to create special visas for Palestinian refugees by a margin of 14 to one votes in response to the Israel-Hamas war. He said: "Taking international political positions is not the business of the council ... Why should we take Palestinian refugees when Egypt, Jordan and other Arab countries are unwilling?"^[73]

On 31 July 2024, the independent investigator Jordan Boyle concluded that Vandervis had breached the DCC's code of conduct through an email he had sent on 16 July 2023, his non-attendance of Te Pae Māori meetings and for describing the council committee's mana whenua members as "anti-democratic" and "race-based" representation. The Council accepted Boyle's report and called upon Vandervis to apologise for his actions. Vandervis issued a prepared statement stating that "I vow to continue to exercise my right to free speech in the public interest and to be part of the diversity necessary for democratic representation on the Dunedin City Council."^[74] Vandervis also doubled down on his remarks objecting to alleged "race-based" funding of Māori elites and jobs and accused his critics of being racist for allegedly labelling him "pale, stale, and male."^[75] The Mayor of Invercargill Nobby Clark's partner Karen defended Vandervis.^[76]

On 25 September 2024, Vandervis and Deputy Mayor Cherry Lucas unsuccessfully voted against a Council motion to retain council ownership of energy company Aurora Energy, describing Aurora as a "Rolls Royce, high cost, high maintenance vehicle when the DCC can only afford to run a Toyota."^[77]

Personal life

Vandervis is twice married and has eight children.^[78] He also has a severely autistic son.^[68]

References

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^ ^a ^b ^c "Cr Lee Vandervis". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b Dungey, Kim (30 May 2015). "Fighting City Hall". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
^ New Zealand Official Yearbook – 1984, Department of Statistics, Wellington, page 1024, ISSN 0078-0170
^ "DemoChoice Web Poll: New Zealand, Dunedin City, Hills Ward, 2004 note: Chin withdrew". Demochoice.org. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
^ "Dunedin stadium opponent beaten". Fairfax NZ News. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c Morris, Chris (1 September 2010). "Mayoral profile: Lee Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
^ "Candidate's advertising sign sparks power cut". Otago Daily Times. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ "About". Lee Vandervis. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
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^ "Vandervis walks out of hearing". Otago Daily Times. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ "Unpaid rent situation angers councillor". Otago Daily Times. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ "Ratepayers upset over Otago union bailout". 3 News. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ "Vandervis comments rankle in Christchurch". Otago Daily Times. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ King, Caroline (27 July 2012). "Dunedin councillor warns against stadium". The Press. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ "Forsyth Barr stadium reports $1.9 million loss". 3 News. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ Lee Vandervis. "Broken heart better than no heart". The Press. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^ Morris, Chris (22 May 2013). "Mayoral contest heats up". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
^ "Dunedin City Council : 2013 Triennial Elections" (PDF). Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 14 October 2013.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ No leadership role for Vandervis, Debbie Porteous, Otago Daily Times, 24 October 2013
^ Telfer, Ian (16 March 2015). "Council accused of unprofessional behaviour". Radio New Zealand News. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
^ Morris, Chris (1 May 2015). "Apology lacking; voting rights to go". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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^ Morris, Chris (26 August 2019). "Vandervis subject of 11 complaints". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
^ "'Shouting, insulting, threatening': Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis accused of harassment". New Zealand Herald. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
^ "11 complaints: Dunedin councillor claims smear campaign". New Zealand Herald. Allied Press. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
^ Morris, Chris (5 September 2019). "Young voters 'don't know enough': Dunedin mayoral candidate Lee Vandervis". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
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^ Morris, Chris (24 September 2019). "Complaint made against Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
^ Adams, Josie (4 October 2019). "Dunedin's venomous election fight, assessed via the Spinoff Snake Rating". The Spinoff. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
^ Morris, Chris (27 September 2019). "Cr's claim CCTV clip had audio rejected". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
^ McNeilly, Hamish (10 December 2019). "Dunedin councillor censured over $12 parking ticket". Stuff. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
^ ^a ^b Kidd, Rob (3 June 2022). "Only one court option left for Vandervis". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
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^ McNeilly, Hamish (1 June 2022). "Legal fight over councillor's $12 parking ticket has cost Dunedin City Council more than $100k". Stuff. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
^ McNeilly, Hamish (5 July 2022). "Councillor takes legal fight over $12 parking ticket to highest court in the land". Stuff. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
^ "Dunedin goes Green as Aaron Hawkins elected as the city's next mayor". Radio New Zealand. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
^ "2019 Election results – Dunedin City Council". Dunedin City Council. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
^ Miller, Grant (23 October 2020). "Vandervis ruled in breach, on the mat". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
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^ Miller, Grant (28 October 2020). "Councillors united against Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
^ Marshall, Andrew (4 August 2021). "Vision for play not matched". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
^ Vandervis, Lee (10 August 2021). "There is a lot to be said for adventure". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
^ Marshall, Andrew (7 August 2021). "Councillor's 'risky play' approach finds support". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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^ Ryder, Wyatt (4 October 2021). "'Freedom picnic' in Dunedin". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b Andrew Marshall (3 November 2021). "Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling'". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
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^ McNeilly, Hamish (21 December 2021). "The rainbow projection for Dunedin's Barnes Dance?". Stuff. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
^ McNeilly, Hamish (4 November 2021). "Dunedin Airport installs rainbow crossing in support of LGBTQI+ community". Stuff. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
^ Andrew Marshall (3 November 2021). "Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling'". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
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^ Marshall, Andrew (23 February 2022). "City joins 3 Waters protest". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
^ Miller, Grant (30 March 2022). "Poll: Three Waters backtrack". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
^ Gill, Sinead (24 March 2022). "Mana whenua leave 'one sided' relationship with Dunedin council". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
^ Hendry-Tennent, Ireland; Swift, Molly (29 April 2022). "Dunedin City Councillor Lee Vandervis caught editing own Wikipedia page claims he was fixing misinformation". Newshub. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
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^ Miller, Grant (27 October 2022). "Dunedin mayor and city councillors sworn in". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis removed as chair of Disability Issues Advisory Group". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
^ McNeilly, Hamish (30 March 2023). "Hannah and Brian Tamaki's meeting with Dunedin councillor sparks counter rally". Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
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^ Miller, Grant (12 March 2024). "DCC debates possible 17.5% rates increase". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
^ Littlewood, Matthew (29 May 2024). "Council pushes for Palestinian visa". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
^ Miller, Grant (31 July 2024). "'It's about prejudice and bigotry': Vandervis complaint upheld". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
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^ "Dunedin City Council votes to keep hold of Aurora Energy". RNZ. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
^ Morris, Chris (7 September 2010). "Mayoral profile: Lee Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2023.

Notes

1.^ "Destination playgrounds are typically larger playgrounds set in a location that may require a drive to reach."^[1]

External links

Lee Vandervis at Local Elections 2010

News

Loughrey, David (27 September 2010). "Poll shows two-horse race". Otago Daily Times.
Loughrey, David (6 October 2010). "Cull leads in latest poll". Otago Daily Times.

^ "DESTINATION PLAYGROUNDS". Play and Playground Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

[final2022-1] McNeilly, Hamish (16 September 2022). "Councillor loses battle with his own council over $12 parking ticket in Supreme Court". Stuff. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2022.

[DCC_bio-2] "Cr Lee Vandervis". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[Fighting_City_Hall_2015-3] Dungey, Kim (30 May 2015). "Fighting City Hall". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

[4] New Zealand Official Yearbook – 1984, Department of Statistics, Wellington, page 1024, ISSN 0078-0170

[5] "DemoChoice Web Poll: New Zealand, Dunedin City, Hills Ward, 2004 note: Chin withdrew". Demochoice.org. Retrieved 6 November 2012.

[6] "Dunedin stadium opponent beaten". Fairfax NZ News. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2012.

[2010_mayoral_profile-7] Morris, Chris (1 September 2010). "Mayoral profile: Lee Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 31 October 2012.

[8] "Candidate's advertising sign sparks power cut". Otago Daily Times. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[9] "About". Lee Vandervis. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[10] "Vandervis to be invited to meeting". Otago Daily Times. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[11] "Vandervis walks out of hearing". Otago Daily Times. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[12] "Unpaid rent situation angers councillor". Otago Daily Times. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[13] "Ratepayers upset over Otago union bailout". 3 News. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[14] "Vandervis comments rankle in Christchurch". Otago Daily Times. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[15] King, Caroline (27 July 2012). "Dunedin councillor warns against stadium". The Press. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[16] "Forsyth Barr stadium reports $1.9 million loss". 3 News. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[17] Lee Vandervis. "Broken heart better than no heart". The Press. Retrieved 7 November 2012.

[Mayoral_contest_heats_up-18] Morris, Chris (22 May 2013). "Mayoral contest heats up". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 24 May 2013.

[2013_results-19] "Dunedin City Council : 2013 Triennial Elections" (PDF). Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 14 October 2013.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[20] No leadership role for Vandervis, Debbie Porteous, Otago Daily Times, 24 October 2013

[21] Telfer, Ian (16 March 2015). "Council accused of unprofessional behaviour". Radio New Zealand News. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

[22] Morris, Chris (1 May 2015). "Apology lacking; voting rights to go". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

[23] Goodwin, Eileen (23 May 2015). "Council sets 3.8% rates rise". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

[24] "Dunedin City Council results". Otago Daily Times. 8 October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

[25] McNeilly, Hamish (7 July 2017). "Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's defamation lawsuit settled for $50k". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2021.

[26] Morris, Chris (26 August 2019). "Vandervis subject of 11 complaints". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[27] "'Shouting, insulting, threatening': Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis accused of harassment". New Zealand Herald. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[28] "11 complaints: Dunedin councillor claims smear campaign". New Zealand Herald. Allied Press. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[29] Morris, Chris (5 September 2019). "Young voters 'don't know enough': Dunedin mayoral candidate Lee Vandervis". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[30] McNeilly, Hamish (5 September 2019). "Councillor apologises over comments made at Scarfie mayoral forum". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[31] Morris, Chris (24 September 2019). "Complaint made against Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 October 2019.

[32] Adams, Josie (4 October 2019). "Dunedin's venomous election fight, assessed via the Spinoff Snake Rating". The Spinoff. Retrieved 4 October 2019.

[33] Morris, Chris (27 September 2019). "Cr's claim CCTV clip had audio rejected". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 4 October 2019.

[34] McNeilly, Hamish (10 December 2019). "Dunedin councillor censured over $12 parking ticket". Stuff. Retrieved 13 December 2019.

[:1-35] Kidd, Rob (3 June 2022). "Only one court option left for Vandervis". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 2 June 2022.

[36] McNeilly, Hamish (23 March 2022). "Councillor heads to Court of Appeal over $12 parking ticket". Stuff. Retrieved 1 June 2022.

[37] McNeilly, Hamish (1 June 2022). "Legal fight over councillor's $12 parking ticket has cost Dunedin City Council more than $100k". Stuff. Retrieved 1 June 2022.

[:2-38] McNeilly, Hamish (5 July 2022). "Councillor takes legal fight over $12 parking ticket to highest court in the land". Stuff. Retrieved 5 July 2022.

[39] "Dunedin goes Green as Aaron Hawkins elected as the city's next mayor". Radio New Zealand. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.

[40] "2019 Election results – Dunedin City Council". Dunedin City Council. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.

[41] Miller, Grant (23 October 2020). "Vandervis ruled in breach, on the mat". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

[42] McNeilly, Hamish (27 October 2020). "Errant councillor asked to apologise after finger-wagging tirade against deputy mayor". Stuff. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

[43] Miller, Grant (28 October 2020). "Councillors united against Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

[44] Marshall, Andrew (4 August 2021). "Vision for play not matched". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

[45] Vandervis, Lee (10 August 2021). "There is a lot to be said for adventure". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

[46] Marshall, Andrew (7 August 2021). "Councillor's 'risky play' approach finds support". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

[47] Miller, Grant (15 September 2021). "'Provocative' Covid posts 'unhelpful'". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.

[48] Ryder, Wyatt (4 October 2021). "'Freedom picnic' in Dunedin". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.

[:0-49] Andrew Marshall (3 November 2021). "Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling'". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[50] Andrew Marshall (17 June 2021). "Rainbow Barnes Dance mooted". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[51] Andrew Marshall (30 October 2021). "Rainbow crossing proposal disappoints". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[52] Andrew Marshall (21 July 2021). "Rainbow crossing supported". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 29 April 2022.

[53] "Agendas and minutes – Dunedin City Council".

[54] McNeilly, Hamish (21 December 2021). "The rainbow projection for Dunedin's Barnes Dance?". Stuff. Retrieved 12 May 2022.

[55] McNeilly, Hamish (4 November 2021). "Dunedin Airport installs rainbow crossing in support of LGBTQI+ community". Stuff. Retrieved 12 May 2022.

[56] Andrew Marshall (3 November 2021). "Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling'". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 12 May 2022.

[57] Marshall, Andrew (3 December 2021). "Vandervis irate over ban on unvaxxed". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2021.

[58] Miller, Grant; White, Courtney (8 December 2021). "Vandervis trespassed from DCC over vax pass". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.

[59] Marshall, Andrew (23 February 2022). "City joins 3 Waters protest". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.

[60] Miller, Grant (30 March 2022). "Poll: Three Waters backtrack". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.

[61] Gill, Sinead (24 March 2022). "Mana whenua leave 'one sided' relationship with Dunedin council". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.

[62] Hendry-Tennent, Ireland; Swift, Molly (29 April 2022). "Dunedin City Councillor Lee Vandervis caught editing own Wikipedia page claims he was fixing misinformation". Newshub. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

[63] Francis, Oscar (20 June 2022). "Vandervis questions 9/11 explanations". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.

[64] Miller, Grant (30 September 2022). "Vandervis questions debt levels". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

[65] "2022 Election results". Dunedin City Council. 31 October 2022. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

[66] Miller, Grant (20 October 2022). "Radich announces senior council roles". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.

[67] Miller, Grant (27 October 2022). "Dunedin mayor and city councillors sworn in". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.

[RNZ_28_Feb_2023-68] "Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis removed as chair of Disability Issues Advisory Group". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.

[69] McNeilly, Hamish (30 March 2023). "Hannah and Brian Tamaki's meeting with Dunedin councillor sparks counter rally". Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

[70] Miller, Grant (1 November 2023). "Dunedin City councillor accused of being 'sexist, racist and ageist'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

[71] Miller, Grant (4 January 2024). "Complaint laid against Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

[72] Miller, Grant (12 March 2024). "DCC debates possible 17.5% rates increase". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.

[73] Littlewood, Matthew (29 May 2024). "Council pushes for Palestinian visa". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.

[74] Miller, Grant (31 July 2024). "'It's about prejudice and bigotry': Vandervis complaint upheld". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.

[75] Tomsett, Ben (31 July 2024). "Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis censured over Māori representation comments". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.

[76] Burns, Adam (31 July 2024). "Nobby Clark defends partner over response to councillor Lee Vandervis' breach of conduct". RNZ. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.

[77] "Dunedin City Council votes to keep hold of Aurora Energy". RNZ. 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.

[78] Morris, Chris (7 September 2010). "Mayoral profile: Lee Vandervis". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2023.

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@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 | nationality = New Zealand
 | other_names =
-| known_for   = [[Dunedin mayoral election|Dunedin mayoral candidate]]<br /> Opponent of [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]]
+| known_for   = [[Mayor of Dunedin|Dunedin mayoral candidate]]<br /> Opponent of [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]]
 | occupation  = Businessman, politician
 | website     = {{URL|http://leevandervis.co.nz/|Official website}}
 }}
-'''Lee Vandervis''' (born 1955) is a local-body politician who was first elected to the [[Dunedin City Council#Local|Dunedin City Council]] in the 2004 local elections. Vandervis has run for mayor in [[2004 Dunedin mayoral election|2004]], [[2007 Dunedin mayoral election|2007]], [[2010 Dunedin mayoral election|2010]], [[2013 Dunedin mayoral election|2013]], [[2016 Dunedin mayoral election|2016]], [[2019 Dunedin mayoral election|2019]] and [[2022 Dunedin mayoral election|2022]]; finishing second in 2007 and 2019.  He is currently an elected councillor and is contesting the 2022 council and mayoral elections. <ref>{{cite web |title=Lee VANDERVIS - Candidate profile |url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/nominations-received/candidates-2022/mayoralty/lee-vandervis |website=DCC |publisher=Dunedin City Council |access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref> Vandervis has often been an independent voice in council, notably opposing his own council in a protracted court battle. <ref name="final2022"></ref>
+'''Lee Vandervis''' (born 1955) is a local-body politician who was first elected to the [[Dunedin City Council#Local|Dunedin City Council]] in the 2004 local elections. Vandervis has run for mayor in [[2004 Dunedin mayoral election|2004]], [[2007 Dunedin mayoral election|2007]], [[2010 Dunedin mayoral election|2010]], [[2013 Dunedin mayoral election|2013]], [[2016 Dunedin mayoral election|2016]], [[2019 Dunedin mayoral election|2019]] and [[2022 Dunedin mayoral election|2022]]; finishing second in 2007 and 2019. Vandervis failed to win mayor again in 2022, but he was re-elected to the Council. <ref name="final2022"></ref>
-==Personal life==
+==Early life and career==
-Lee Vandervis was born in 1955<ref name="DCC bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/mayor-and-councillors/cr-lee-vandervis|title=Cr Lee Vandervis|accessdate=29 April 2022|publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]]}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2022}} in [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]]. He is the second son of Dutch immigrant parents, who settled in New Zealand after the [[Second World War]].<ref name="DCC bio" />{{better source needed|date=May 2022}} He attended Rosebank School, [[South Otago High School]], and [[Kaikorai Valley College|Kaikorai Valley High School]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} Vandervis later acquired a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in Philosophy from the [[University of Otago]], and has worked as a music technician for many years. In the mid 1970s he went to the [[United Kingdom]] and worked as an acoustic engineer for [[Midas Consoles|Midas Audio]]. In 1981, Vandervis returned to Dunedin and set up Vandervision Lighting Audio and Video in the early 1980s.<ref name="DCC bio" />{{better source needed|date=May 2022}}<ref name="Fighting City Hall 2015">{{cite news|last1=Dungey|first1=Kim|title=Fighting City Hall|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/343919/fighting-city-hall|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=30 May 2015}}</ref>   <!--(unconfirmed that she is his daughter...) Lee Vandervis is the father of New Zealand actress [[Ria Vandervis]].-->
+Lee Vandervis was born in 1955<ref name="DCC bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/mayor-and-councillors/cr-lee-vandervis|title=Cr Lee Vandervis|accessdate=29 April 2022|publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]]}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2022}} in [[Balclutha, New Zealand|Balclutha]]. He is the second son of Dutch immigrant parents.<ref name="DCC bio" />{{better source needed|date=May 2022}} Vandervis received a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in Philosophy from the [[University of Otago]], and has worked as a music technician. In the mid 1970s he went to the [[United Kingdom]] and worked as an acoustic engineer for [[Midas Consoles|Midas Audio]]. In 1981, Vandervis returned to Dunedin and set up Vandervision Lighting Audio and Video in the early 1980s.<ref name="DCC bio" />{{better source needed|date=May 2022}}<ref name="Fighting City Hall 2015">{{cite news|last1=Dungey|first1=Kim|title=Fighting City Hall|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/magazine/343919/fighting-city-hall|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=30 May 2015}}</ref>
-Vandervis is married to Antonie Vandervis.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} He has eight children with the youngest being severely [[autistic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish |date=2016-09-30 |title=Councillor tells candidate with cerebral palsy he would struggle due to disability |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/84819802/councillor-tells-candidate-with-cerebral-palsy-he-would-struggle-due-to-disability |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Vandervis also plays the [[piano]], [[violin]], and [[cello]],{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} and was a member of the Dunedin band Prometheus.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
 ==Politics==
@@ Line 35: / Line 33: @@
 Vandervis served as the Chair of the Dunedin City Council Heritage Fund and the Heritage Buildings Re-use Committee.He resigned from that role on 22 September 2020. {{citation needed|date=November 2012}} He is also on the Board of the [[Otago Settlers Museum]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}}
-Vandervis states that he is focused on challenging misrepresented projects and bureaucratic waste.<ref name="2010 mayoral profile" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://leevandervis.co.nz/pages/about |title=About |publisher=Lee Vandervis |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> At times he is controversial. His recent criticism of Community Board's being a waste of time raised their ire.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/211207/vandervis-be-invited-meeting |title=Vandervis to be invited to meeting |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> He has also had clashes over bus shelters,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/200202/vandervis-walks-out-hearing |title=Vandervis walks out of hearing |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> criticised Council's financial management – especially the $480,000 bailout of the [[Otago Rugby Union]],<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/199478/unpaid-rent-situation-angers-councillor |title=Unpaid rent situation angers councillor |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=29 February 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Ratepayers-upset-over-Otago-union-bailout/tabid/423/articleID/246738/Default.aspx |title=Ratepayers upset over Otago union bailout |publisher=3 News |date=15 March 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> and faced criticism over his suggestion that [[2011 Christchurch earthquake|Christchurch's earthquake]] rebuild could be shifted to Dunedin.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/193966/vandervis-comments-rankle-christchurch |title=Vandervis comments rankle in Christchurch |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref>
+Vandervis states that he is focused on challenging misrepresented projects and bureaucratic waste.<ref name="2010 mayoral profile" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://leevandervis.co.nz/pages/about |title=About |publisher=Lee Vandervis |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> At times he is controversial. His criticism of Community Board's being a waste of time raised their ire.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/211207/vandervis-be-invited-meeting |title=Vandervis to be invited to meeting |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> He has also had clashes over bus shelters,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/200202/vandervis-walks-out-hearing |title=Vandervis walks out of hearing |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=6 March 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> criticised Council's financial management – especially the $480,000 bailout of the [[Otago Rugby Union]],<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/199478/unpaid-rent-situation-angers-councillor |title=Unpaid rent situation angers councillor |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=29 February 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Ratepayers-upset-over-Otago-union-bailout/tabid/423/articleID/246738/Default.aspx |title=Ratepayers upset over Otago union bailout |publisher=3 News |date=15 March 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> and faced criticism over his suggestion that [[2011 Christchurch earthquake|Christchurch's earthquake]] rebuild could be shifted to Dunedin.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/193966/vandervis-comments-rankle-christchurch |title=Vandervis comments rankle in Christchurch |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref>
 Vandervis has suggested that Christchurch's proposed stadium would be a waste of money.<ref>{{cite news |first=Caroline |last=King |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7360249/Dunedin-councillor-warns-against-stadium |title=Dunedin councillor warns against stadium |publisher=[[The Press]] |date=27 July 2012 |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> His comments were based on his experience with Dunedin's [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Forsyth-Barr-stadium-reports-19-million-loss/tabid/421/articleID/253645/Default.aspx |title=Forsyth Barr stadium reports $1.9 million loss |publisher=3 News |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref> Vandervis supports the rebuild of the [[ChristChurch Cathedral, Christchurch|Christchurch Cathedral]], which was partially destroyed in the earthquakes.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lee Vandervis |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/7451076/Broken-heart-better-than-no-heart |title=Broken heart better than no heart |publisher=[[The Press]] |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref>
@@ Line 42: / Line 40: @@
 Lee Vandervis stood for re-election in the [[2013 New Zealand local elections|October 2013 local election]] as a Dunedin City Councillor; he also contested the Dunedin mayoralty for the fourth time.<ref name="Mayoral contest heats up">{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Chris |title=Mayoral contest heats up |url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/257993/mayoral-contest-heats |access-date=24 May 2013 |newspaper=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=22 May 2013}}</ref> He was elected as to Council and placed third for the mayoralty.<ref name="2013 results">{{cite web |title=Dunedin City Council : 2013 Triennial Elections |url=http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/345979/Dunedin-City-Council-2013-Triennial-Elections-Preliminary-STV-Result-Report.pdf |publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]] |access-date=14 October 2013 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Mayor, [[Dave Cull]], did not appoint Vandervis to any committees, commenting that ''he had no confidence he could contribute constructively, nor maintain any of the relationships needed to do the work effectively.''<ref>No leadership role for Vandervis, Debbie Porteous, Otago Daily Times, 24 October 2013</ref>
-On 16 March 2015, Lee Vandervis was subject to a code of conduct hearing dealing with three complaints against him for his alleged bullying, aggressive, and misleading behaviour. Vandervis has defended his actions. The city councillor had  been involved in an argument with the Dunedin City Council's chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose and had criticized the council and the local police's investigation of the illegal sale of 150 the Council's Cityfleet vehicles to local residents. On 1 May 2015, Vandervis was temporarily stripped of his voting rights after failing to apologize for these actions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Telfer|first1=Ian|title=Council accused of unprofessional behaviour|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/268750/councillor-accused-of-unprofessional-behaviour|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand News]]|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Chris|title=Apology lacking; voting rights to go|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/340734/apology-lacking-voting-rights-go|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=1 May 2015}}</ref> According to the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'' journalist Kim Dungey, Vandervis was well known within Dunedin circles for his acrimonious relationship with Mayor Cull and several city councillors; taking issue with the council's alleged misspending of public money, the Cityfleet fraud case, and property speculation by Council's Delta Utility Services.<ref name="Fighting City Hall 2015" />  In addition, Vandervis has also opposed a 3.8% rates increase and has called for the council to cut back on staff numbers and to "be run more like a business."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodwin|first1=Eileen|title=Council sets 3.8% rates rise|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/343296/council-sets-38-rates-rise|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=23 May 2015}}</ref>
+On 16 March 2015, Lee Vandervis was subject to a code of conduct hearing dealing with three complaints against him for his alleged bullying, aggressive, and misleading behaviour. Vandervis has defended his actions. The city councillor had  been involved in an argument with the Dunedin City Council's chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose and had criticised the council and the local police's investigation of the illegal sale of 150 the Council's Cityfleet vehicles to local residents. On 1 May 2015, Vandervis was temporarily stripped of his voting rights after failing to apologise for these actions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Telfer|first1=Ian|title=Council accused of unprofessional behaviour|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/268750/councillor-accused-of-unprofessional-behaviour|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand News]]|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Chris|title=Apology lacking; voting rights to go|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/340734/apology-lacking-voting-rights-go|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=1 May 2015}}</ref> According to the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'' journalist Kim Dungey, Vandervis was well known within Dunedin circles for his acrimonious relationship with Mayor Cull and several city councillors; taking issue with the council's alleged misspending of public money, the Cityfleet fraud case, and property speculation by Council's Delta Utility Services.<ref name="Fighting City Hall 2015" />  In addition, Vandervis has also opposed a 3.8% rates increase and has called for the council to cut back on staff numbers and to "be run more like a business."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goodwin|first1=Eileen|title=Council sets 3.8% rates rise|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/343296/council-sets-38-rates-rise|access-date=1 June 2015|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=23 May 2015}}</ref>
+===2016-2019 term===
+In October 2016, Vandervis contested the [[2016 Dunedin mayoral election|2016 mayoral]] and local elections. Though he was not elected as Mayor, Vandervis was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin City Council results |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dunedin-city-council-results |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=8 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708070442/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dunedin-city-council-results |archive-date=8 July 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
 In July 2017, Vandervis settled a defamation lawsuit against Mayor Cull for NZ$50,000 due to legal delays and spiralling costs. Vandervis had sued Cull following an exchange in December 2015 in which Vandervis alleged that Cull paid a bribe to secure a council contract in the 1980s. Vandervis claimed that Cull, in his response to the allegations, had defamed him. Vandervis originally sought NZ$250,000 in general damages and NZ$250,000 in exemplary damages along with legal costs. The lawsuit was settled without an apology.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull's defamation lawsuit settled for $50k |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94479793/dunedin-mayor-dave-culls-defamation-lawsuit-settled-for-50k |access-date=24 August 2021 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705221249/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94479793/dunedin-mayor-dave-culls-defamation-lawsuit-settled-for-50k |archive-date=5 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
-===2019 local body election===
 In late August 2019, the ''[[Otago Daily Times]]'' reported that Vandervis was the subject of 11 complaints of inappropriate behaviour, angry and shouting, insulting, threatening, unsubstantiated allegations of corruption, and intimidating behaviour against several Dunedin City Council staff members and members of the public. Vandervis was also criticised by Mayor Cull and several fellow councillors including Rachel Elder, [[Aaron Hawkins (politician)|Aaron Hawkins]], and Mike Lord for alleged bullying and intimidating behaviour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Vandervis subject of 11 complaints |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/vandervis-subject-11-complaints |access-date=13 September 2019 |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=26 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Shouting, insulting, threatening': Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis accused of harassment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261872 |access-date=13 September 2019 |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=26 August 2019}}</ref> In response, Vandervis defended his actions and claimed that he was the victim of a smear campaign timed to coincide with the [[2019 Dunedin mayoral election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=11 complaints: Dunedin councillor claims smear campaign |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12262170 |access-date=13 September 2019 |agency=[[Allied Press]] |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=27 August 2019}}</ref> In early September 2019, Vandervis drew criticism when he made remarks that young voters were ignorant or did not care about candidates during a mayoral debate organised by the [[Otago University Students' Association]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Young voters 'don't know enough': Dunedin mayoral candidate Lee Vandervis |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12265278 |access-date=13 September 2019 |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=5 September 2019}}</ref> Vandervis subsequently apologised for his remarks.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Councillor apologises over comments made at Scarfie mayoral forum |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115562630/dunedin-mayoral-hopefuls-plead-their-case-to-scarfies |access-date=13 September 2019 |publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=5 September 2019}}</ref>
+===2019–2022 parking ticket dispute===
-On 12 October 2019, Vandervis was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor but lost the mayoral contest to [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]] candidate Aaron Hawkins.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin goes Green as Aaron Hawkins elected as the city's next mayor |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/400842/dunedin-goes-green-as-aaron-hawkins-elected-as-the-city-s-next-mayor |access-date=13 December 2019 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=12 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Election results – Dunedin City Council  |url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2019-election-results/2019-election-results-dunedin-city-council |publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]] |access-date=13 December 2019 |date=19 November 2019}}</ref>
-===2019-2022 parking ticket dispute===
 In mid-September 2019, a twelfth complaint was lodged against Vandervis after he allegedly verbally abused some DCC staff members over a [[Parking violation|parking ticket]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Complaint made against Vandervis |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/complaint-made-against-vandervis |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=24 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Josie |title=Dunedin's venomous election fight, assessed via the Spinoff Snake Rating |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections/04-10-2019/dunedins-venomous-election-fight-assessed-via-the-spinoff-snake-rating/ |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=4 October 2019}}</ref> Vandervis contested the complaint and uploaded a CCTV video on social media to support his claim that he did not verbally abuse. David Benham, chairman of the [[Otago Regional Council]]'s audit and risk subcommittee, was tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the matter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Cr's claim CCTV clip had audio rejected |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/crs-claim-cctv-clip-had-audio-rejected |access-date=4 October 2019 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=27 September 2019}}</ref> On 10 December, Vandervis was censured by his fellow councillors for the parking ticket incident. In response, he alleged that his privacy was breached at a critical time of the election campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Dunedin councillor censured over $12 parking ticket |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118094625/dunedin-councillor-censured-over-12-parking-ticket |access-date=13 December 2019 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=10 December 2019}}</ref>
@@ Line 59: / Line 57: @@
 ===2019–2022 term===
+On 12 October 2019, Vandervis was re-elected to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor but lost the mayoral contest to [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand]] candidate Aaron Hawkins.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin goes Green as Aaron Hawkins elected as the city's next mayor |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/400842/dunedin-goes-green-as-aaron-hawkins-elected-as-the-city-s-next-mayor |access-date=13 December 2019 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=12 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Election results – Dunedin City Council  |url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2019-election-results/2019-election-results-dunedin-city-council |publisher=[[Dunedin City Council]] |access-date=13 December 2019 |date=19 November 2019}}</ref>
 In mid-October 2020, independent investigator Steph Dyhrberg found that Vandervis had engaged in intimidatory behaviour during an argument with Deputy Mayor Christine Garey in late July 2020. While apologising for his conduct, Vandervis defended his efforts to hold city councillors and staff to account for allegedly "not doing their job."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Vandervis ruled in breach, on the mat |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-ruled-breach-mat |access-date=27 October 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027214245/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-ruled-breach-mat |archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> During a conduct hearing held on 27 October, Vandervis' fellow councillors called on him to apologise for his behaviour and seek professional help with anger management, with Mayor [[Aaron Hawkins (politician)|Aaron Hawkins]] likening him to a four-year old. Vandervis remained defiant during the hearing, alleging that the problem was council mismanagement and misrepresentation. The Dunedin City Council also warned Vandervis that they would revoke his membership of the [[Otago Museum]] Trust Board and the district licensing committee if a "suitable apology" was not delivered.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Errant councillor asked to apologise after finger-wagging tirade against deputy mayor |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123211122/errant-councillor-asked-to-apologise-after-fingerwagging-tirade-against-deputy-mayor |access-date=27 October 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027215018/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123211122/errant-councillor-asked-to-apologise-after-fingerwagging-tirade-against-deputy-mayor |archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Councillors united against Vandervis |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/councillors-united-against-vandervis |access-date=27 October 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027215338/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/councillors-united-against-vandervis|archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In August 2021, Vandervis disagreed with the Dunedin City Council's proposal for a destination playground,{{ref|a}} instead advocating adventure playgrounds where children and young people can play with water, fire, and build with pallets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=Vision for play not matched |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vision-play-not-matched |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804232249/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vision-play-not-matched |archive-date=4 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vandervis |first1=Lee |title=There is a lot to be said for adventure |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/there-lot-be-said-adventure |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819005505/https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/there-lot-be-said-adventure |archive-date=19 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Vandervis' views were supported by [[University of Otago]] geography Professor Claire Freeman, who said that contemporary children experienced less freedom than previous generations, reducing their ability to handle risk.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=Councillor's 'risky play' approach finds support |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/councillor’s-‘risky-play’-approach-finds-support |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=7 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In August 2021, Vandervis disagreed with the Dunedin City Council's proposal for a destination playground,{{ref|a}} instead advocating adventure playgrounds where children and young people can play with water, fire, and build with pallets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=Vision for play not matched |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vision-play-not-matched |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804232249/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vision-play-not-matched |archive-date=4 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Vandervis |first1=Lee |title=There is a lot to be said for adventure |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/there-lot-be-said-adventure |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819005505/https://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/there-lot-be-said-adventure |archive-date=19 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Vandervis' views were supported by [[University of Otago]] geography Professor [[Claire Freeman]], who said that contemporary children experienced less freedom than previous generations, reducing their ability to handle risk.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=Councillor's 'risky play' approach finds support |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/councillor’s-‘risky-play’-approach-finds-support |access-date=19 August 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=7 August 2021}}</ref>
 In mid-September 2021, Vandervis attracted media attention and criticism after he published several [[COVID-19]]–related social media posts questioning the effectiveness of the [[Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine]] and advocating the use of the anti-parasitic drug [[Ivermectin]] for treating COVID-19.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title='Provocative' Covid posts 'unhelpful' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/%E2%80%98provocative%E2%80%99-covid-posts-%E2%80%98unhelpful%E2%80%99 |access-date=18 September 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915161920/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/%E2%80%98provocative%E2%80%99-covid-posts-%E2%80%98unhelpful%E2%80%99 |archive-date=15 September 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 In early October 2021, Vandervis led an anti-lockdown [[COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in New Zealand#2 October|"Families Freedom Picnic"]] that was held in Dunedin's [[Queens Gardens, Dunedin|Queens Gardens]]. During the protest, Vandervis spoke about the effects of lockdown regulations on local businesses, freedom of speech, and the pressure to be vaccinated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryder |first1=Wyatt |title='Freedom picnic' in Dunedin |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/%E2%80%98freedom-picnic%E2%80%99-dunedin |access-date=3 October 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003220636/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/%E2%80%98freedom-picnic%E2%80%99-dunedin |archive-date=3 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In November 2021 Vandervis voted against a proposed rainbow [[pedestrian crossing]] (styled after the [[Cuba Street rainbow crossing]]).<ref name=":0" /> The proposal was initiated by [[Dudley Benson]], to create a visual representation of Dunedin's queer community and stand against bullying, homophobia and transphobia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-06-17 |title=Rainbow Barnes Dance mooted |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-barnes-dance-mooted |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> A petition in support for the crossing received 6,502 signatures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-10-30 |title=Rainbow crossing proposal disappoints |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-crossing-proposal-disappoints |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-07-21 |title=Rainbow crossing supported |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-crossing-supported |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> As the only councillor of 14 who voted against the proposal,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/council-meetings/agendas-and-minutes | title=Agendas and minutes - Dunedin City Council }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish |date=2021-12-21 |title=The rainbow projection for Dunedin's Barnes Dance? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/127349550/the-rainbow-projection-for-dunedins-barnes-dance |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish |date=2021-11-04 |title=Dunedin Airport installs rainbow crossing in support of LGBTQI+ community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/back-your-backyard/126888889/dunedin-airport-installs-rainbow-crossing-in-support-of-lgbtqi-community |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Vandervis said: "To me, this is quite seriously a piece of ridiculous PC virtue signalling."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-11-03 |title=Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/rainbow-crossing-%E2%80%98pc-virtue-signalling%E2%80%99 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> Deputy Mayor Christine Garey said Vandervis' comments regarding the proposal were ‘‘offensive and embarrassing in 2021 in our city’’.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-11-03 |title=Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/rainbow-crossing-%E2%80%98pc-virtue-signalling%E2%80%99 |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref>
+In November 2021 Vandervis voted against a proposed rainbow [[pedestrian crossing]] (styled after the [[Cuba Street rainbow crossing]]).<ref name=":0" /> The proposal was initiated by [[Dudley Benson]], to create a visual representation of Dunedin's queer community and stand against bullying, homophobia and transphobia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-06-17 |title=Rainbow Barnes Dance mooted |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-barnes-dance-mooted |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> A petition in support for the crossing received 6,502 signatures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-10-30 |title=Rainbow crossing proposal disappoints |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-crossing-proposal-disappoints |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-07-21 |title=Rainbow crossing supported |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/rainbow-crossing-supported |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> As the only councillor of 14 who voted against the proposal,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/council-meetings/agendas-and-minutes | title=Agendas and minutes – Dunedin City Council }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish |date=2021-12-21 |title=The rainbow projection for Dunedin's Barnes Dance? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/127349550/the-rainbow-projection-for-dunedins-barnes-dance |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeilly |first=Hamish |date=2021-11-04 |title=Dunedin Airport installs rainbow crossing in support of LGBTQI+ community |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/back-your-backyard/126888889/dunedin-airport-installs-rainbow-crossing-in-support-of-lgbtqi-community |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Vandervis said: "To me, this is quite seriously a piece of ridiculous PC virtue signalling."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-11-03 |title=Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/rainbow-crossing-%E2%80%98pc-virtue-signalling%E2%80%99 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref> Deputy Mayor Christine Garey said Vandervis' comments regarding the proposal were ‘‘offensive and embarrassing in 2021 in our city’’.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Marshall |date=2021-11-03 |title=Rainbow crossing 'PC virtue signalling' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/rainbow-crossing-%E2%80%98pc-virtue-signalling%E2%80%99 |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref>
 In early December 2021, Vandervis objected to the Dunedin City Council's [[My Vaccine Pass|vaccine pass]] requirement for accessing council premises and services as part of the New Zealand Government's [[COVID-19 Protection Framework]]. Since Vandervis had chosen not to get vaccinated for COVID-19, he was only allowed to attend virtual council meetings. He claimed that the Governments' COVID-19 policies breached the right to refuse medical treatment under the [[New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990]], free speech, lawful assembly, and justice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=Vandervis irate over ban on unvaxxed |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/vandervis-irate-over-ban-unvaxxed |access-date=2 December 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202220719/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/vandervis-irate-over-ban-unvaxxed |archive-date=2 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 December, Vandervis was trespassed from the Dunedin City Council for three months after attempting to attend meeting without a COVID-19 vaccine pass. Vandervis objected to the trespass notice, claiming that access to essential services could not be restricted based on vaccine status.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |last2=White |first2=Courtney |title=Vandervis trespassed from DCC over vax pass |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-trespassed-dcc-over-vax-pass |access-date=8 December 2021 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208004700/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-trespassed-dcc-over-vax-pass |archive-date=8 December 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
+On 23 February 2022, Vandervis supported fellow councillor Andrew Whiley's motion for the Dunedin City Council to join "Communities 4 Local Democracy," a coalition of local bodies opposed to the Government's [[Water Services Reform Programme|Three Waters reform programme]]. The motion passed by a narrow margin of eight to seven votes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Andrew |title=City joins 3 Waters protest |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/city-joins-3-waters-protest |access-date=15 March 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223033908/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/city-joins-3-waters-protest |archive-date=23 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 March, the DCC voted by a margin of seven to six to overturn their earlier decision to join "Communities 4 Local Democracy" following a breakdown in the Council's relationship with local Māori ''runanga'' (tribal councils). In response, Vandervis condemned the reversal  as a rejection of local democracy in favour of "centralised control."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Poll: Three Waters backtrack |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/three-waters-backtrack |access-date=30 March 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330104134/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/three-waters-backtrack |archive-date=30 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gill |first1=Sinead |title=Mana whenua leave 'one sided' relationship with Dunedin council |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/128136924/mana-whenua-leave-one-sided-relationship-with-dunedin-council |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323232717/https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/128136924/mana-whenua-leave-one-sided-relationship-with-dunedin-council |archive-date=23 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In late April 2022, Vandervis was identified as having personally edited his own Wikipedia page, in breach of Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest policy]]. His edits removed several relevant passages in the article, including references to various incidents that cast Vandervis in a negative light.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hendry-Tennent |first1=Ireland |last2=Swift |first2=Molly |title=Dunedin City Councillor Lee Vandervis caught editing own Wikipedia page claims he was fixing misinformation |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/04/dunedin-city-councillor-lee-vandervis-caught-editing-own-wikipedia-page-claims-he-was-fixing-misinformation.html |access-date=29 April 2021|work=[[Newshub]] |date=29 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> These edits were subsequently reversed.
+In late April 2022, Vandervis was identified as having personally edited his own Wikipedia page, in breach of Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest policy]]. His edits removed several relevant passages in the article, including references to various incidents that cast Vandervis in a negative light.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hendry-Tennent |first1=Ireland |last2=Swift |first2=Molly |title=Dunedin City Councillor Lee Vandervis caught editing own Wikipedia page claims he was fixing misinformation |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/04/dunedin-city-councillor-lee-vandervis-caught-editing-own-wikipedia-page-claims-he-was-fixing-misinformation.html |access-date=29 April 2021|work=[[Newshub]] |date=29 April 2022}}</ref> These edits were subsequently reversed.
 In mid June 2022, Vandervis drew media attention when he questioned the facts of the [[September 11 attacks]], disputing official and eyewitness accounts that two planes had destroyed the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]'s skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Oscar |title=Vandervis questions 9/11 explanations |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-questions-911-explanations |access-date=4 July 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621202934/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/vandervis-questions-911-explanations |archive-date=21 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
+===2022–2025 term===
+During the [[2022 Dunedin local elections]], Vandervis [[2022 Dunedin mayoral election|ran for Mayor]] and campaigned on reducing the city's projected debt of NZ$106 million and accused the Dunedin City Council of increasing debt each year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Vandervis questions debt levels |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/vandervis-questions-debt-levels |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012173530/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/vandervis-questions-debt-levels |archive-date=12 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Though he was defeated during the mayoral race, Lee Vandervis was re-elected as a city councillor.<ref>{{cite news |title=2022 Election results |url=https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2022-election-results |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=[[Dunedin City Council]] |date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103233810/https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council/electoral-information/2022-election-results |archive-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>
+On 19 October 2022, he was appointed by Mayor [[Jules Radich]] as chairman of finance and council-owned companies. In allocating Vandervis' appointment, Radich described Vandervis as an "astute communicator with constructive ideas" whose past conduct issues had been caused by frustration with the Council leadership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Radich announces senior council roles |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/radich-announces-senior-council-roles |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=20 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020082247/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/radich-announces-senior-council-roles |archive-date=20 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> After he and his fellow councillors were sworn in on 27 October 2022, Vandervis was the only DCC member to oppose the [[Māori people|Māori]] ''runanga'' (tribal councils) Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki and Otakou sending representatives to participate in two Council committees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Dunedin mayor and city councillors sworn in |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dunedin-mayor-and-city-councillors-sworn |access-date=9 November 2022 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102231313/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dunedin-mayor-and-city-councillors-sworn |archive-date=2 November 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In late February 2023, the DCC voted to remove Vandervis as chair of the Council's Disability Issues Advisory Group following concerns raised by the Disabled Persons' Assembly due to Vandervis' remarks towards a disabled candidate named Joshua Perry during the 2016 local body elections. The Council subsequently appointed first-term councillor Mandy Mayhem to the position and reassigned Vandervis as the Council's representative to [[Age Concern]]. In response, Vandervis denied that he had intimidated Perry and claimed that their private conversation was being used against him as part of a smear campaign.<ref name="RNZ 28 Feb 2023">{{cite news |title=Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis removed as chair of Disability Issues Advisory Group |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/485022/dunedin-councillor-lee-vandervis-removed-as-chair-of-disability-issues-advisory-group |access-date=25 March 2023 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228062341/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/485022/dunedin-councillor-lee-vandervis-removed-as-chair-of-disability-issues-advisory-group |archive-date=28 February 2023}}</ref>
+In late March 2023, Vandervis was the only member of the Dunedin City Council to accept an invitation to meet with [[Vision NZ]] founder [[Hannah Tamaki]] and her husband [[Brian Tamaki]], the founder and leader of [[Destiny Church (New Zealand)|Destiny Church]]. Following the meeting, 50 counter-demonstrators including fellow Dunedin councillors Steve Walker and Marie Laufiso held a rally to protest against the Tamaki's visit to Dunedin.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McNeilly |first1=Hamish |title=Hannah and Brian Tamaki's meeting with Dunedin councillor sparks counter rally |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/131646963/hannah-and-brian-tamakis-meeting-with-dunedin-councillor-sparks-counter-rally |access-date=5 January 2024 |date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330124234/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/131646963/hannah-and-brian-tamakis-meeting-with-dunedin-councillor-sparks-counter-rally |archive-date=30 March 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In early November 2023, Vandervis criticised a DCC draft submission about emergency management law during a council meeting, claiming that it had a disproportionate focus on "Māori inclusion, Māori remuneration and co-governance." During that meeting, Vandervis traded barbs with fellow councillor Laufiso, who accused him of racism. The Council's submission was subsequently approved by the Council with the exception of Vandervis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Dunedin City councillor accused of being ‘sexist, racist and ageist’ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-city-councillor-accused-of-being-sexist-racist-and-ageist/6UDIH3QYZFBQTKGRFDJFN6ZIE4/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223050258/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-city-councillor-accused-of-being-sexist-racist-and-ageist/6UDIH3QYZFBQTKGRFDJFN6ZIE4/ |archive-date=23 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In early January 2024, Laufiso laid a formal complaint against Vandervis for allegedly showing contempt towards [[Māori people]] by refusing to participate in a council forum called Te Pae Māori. Laufiso also claimed that Vandervis made disparaging remarks about Te Pae Māori, which constituted a breach of the DCC's code of conduct. In addition, Vandervis had objected to [[Claude Monet]]'s ''[[La Debacle]]'' work at the [[Dunedin Public Art Gallery]] being accompanied by what he regarded as an "irrelevant" [[Māori language]] text. On 3 January 2024, the DCC confirmed that it had appointed independent investigator Jonathan Boyle to investigate the complaint against Vandervis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=Complaint laid against Vandervis |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/complaint-laid-against-vandervis |access-date=5 January 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=4 January 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
+In mid-March 2024, Vandervis was the sole councillor to oppose a DCC motion to adopt draft operating budgets for the purpose of community engagement. The Council had proposed increasing rates by 17.5%. In his response, Vandervis said that "what is evident to me is that we cannot wantonly spend our way to success. We cannot increase debt by over $100m a year to success."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title=DCC debates possible 17.5% rates increase |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dcc-debates-possible-175-rates-increase |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312152710/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/dcc-debates-possible-175-rates-increase |archive-date=12 March 2024}}</ref>
+On 29 May, Vandervis was the only member of the Dunedin City Council to vote against a motion asking the New Zealand government to create special visas for Palestinian refugees by a margin of 14 to one votes in response to the [[Israel-Hamas war]]. He said: "Taking international political positions is not the business of the council ... Why should we take Palestinian refugees when Egypt, Jordan and other Arab countries are unwilling?"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Littlewood |first1=Matthew |title=Council pushes for Palestinian visa |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/council-pushes-palestinian-visa |access-date=31 May 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=29 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529081427/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/council-pushes-palestinian-visa |archive-date=29 May 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
+On 31 July 2024, the independent investigator Jordan Boyle concluded that Vandervis had breached the DCC's code of conduct through an email he had sent on 16 July 2023, his non-attendance of Te Pae Māori meetings and for describing the council committee's mana whenua members as "anti-democratic" and "race-based" representation. The Council accepted Boyle's report and called upon Vandervis to apologise for his actions. Vandervis issued a prepared statement stating that "I vow to continue to exercise my right to free speech in the public interest and to be part of the diversity necessary for democratic representation on the Dunedin City Council."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Grant |title='It's about prejudice and bigotry': Vandervis complaint upheld |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/its-about-prejudice-and-bigotry-vandervis-complaint-upheld |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731060057/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/its-about-prejudice-and-bigotry-vandervis-complaint-upheld |archive-date=31 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Vandervis also doubled down on his remarks objecting to alleged "race-based" funding of  Māori elites and jobs and accused his critics of being racist for allegedly labelling him "pale, stale, and male."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tomsett |first1=Ben |title=Dunedin councillor Lee Vandervis censured over Māori representation comments |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-councillor-lee-vandervis-censured-over-maori-representation-comments/LZEQUCROLNBS7E26H37ZK7LUZQ/ |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731043309/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-councillor-lee-vandervis-censured-over-maori-representation-comments/LZEQUCROLNBS7E26H37ZK7LUZQ/ |archive-date=31 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Mayor of Invercargill]] [[Nobby Clark (politician)|Nobby Clark]]'s partner Karen defended Vandervis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Adam |title=Nobby Clark defends partner over response to councillor Lee Vandervis' breach of conduct |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/523733/nobby-clark-defends-partner-over-response-to-councillor-lee-vandervis-breach-of-conduct |access-date=1 August 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731070820/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/523733/nobby-clark-defends-partner-over-response-to-councillor-lee-vandervis-breach-of-conduct |archive-date=31 July 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
+On 25 September 2024, Vandervis and Deputy Mayor Cherry Lucas unsuccessfully voted against a Council motion to retain council ownership of energy company [[Aurora Energy (New Zealand)|Aurora Energy]], describing Aurora as a "[[Rolls Royce]], high cost, high maintenance vehicle when the DCC can only afford to run a [[Toyota]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=Dunedin City Council votes to keep hold of Aurora Energy |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/529005/dunedin-city-council-votes-to-keep-hold-of-aurora-energy |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=25 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925031200/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/529005/dunedin-city-council-votes-to-keep-hold-of-aurora-energy |archive-date=25 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
+==Personal life==
+Vandervis is twice married and has eight children.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Mayoral profile: Lee Vandervis |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/mayoral-profile-lee-vandervis |access-date=25 March 2023 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=7 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025013619/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/mayoral-profile-lee-vandervis |archive-date=25 October 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> He also has a severely [[Autism|autistic]] son.<ref name="RNZ 28 Feb 2023" />
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 == Notes ==