Crowing rooster leads to two-year legal wrangle for Dunedin City Council
It is nothing to crow about, but the Dunedin City Council is locked in a long-running legal battle over a rooster.
''Any rooster-related questions?’' Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins asked his fellow councillors at a council meeting on Tuesday.
The question came as the council’s animal bylaw review came up in the council’s agenda, and feathers were quickly ruffled.
Roosters emerged as the prime target, with council community services general manager Simon Pickford revealing Dunedin was one of the few authorities to allow roosters in urban areas.
It was an issue that could drive neighbours '’to distraction’’, and the council needed to consult on the matter to see if there was appetite for change to the current bylaw.
Pickford confirmed in a statement to Stuff that the council was “involved in ongoing legal proceedings relating to multiple complaints of rooster noise emanating from a Pine Hill property”.
“We are unable to comment further on the specifics of the case while the matter remains before the courts.”
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If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals don’t survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
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Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
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9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.4% I want to be able to choose.
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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