Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has retracted what he calls a “dismissive and unnecessary slight” he made against the Dalai Lama, but still will not meet him when he visits Dunedin on 11 June.
After describing the Lama as “the leader of a minority sect” last week, Cull now says that the community regards the Dalai Lama with “affection and respect.” Cull declined to be interviewed by Critic, claiming to be busy with hearings on the DCC’s Annual Plan. In a written statement, Cull said he had “nothing much to say” on the visit, other than it being “the Dalai’s gig.” Cull will instead be attending a Local Government New Zealand meeting in Wellington.
While Cull insisted that the event was not a civic function, he pointed out that Councillor Jinty MacTavish would be welcoming the Lama “on behalf of the city.” When asked about the visit, Cr. MacTavish said the Mayor had formalised an earlier commitment she had made to greet the Lama in her capacity as a Councillor by contacting the trust in charge of the visit. She believes that the public lecture about ethics and happiness “has to be a good thing for our community.”
Lama drama harms Cull’s karma
