Sophie Barker (mayor)

Her Worship
Sophie Barker
60th Mayor of Dunedin
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 October 2025
DeputyCherry Lucas
Preceded byJules Radich
Personal details
BornSophie Elizabeth Barker
1966 or 1967 (age 58–59)
Alma materUniversity of Otago

Sophie Elizabeth Barker (born 1966 or 1967) is a New Zealand politician. She has served as mayor of Dunedin since 17 October 2025, having been a Dunedin city councillor since 2019 and deputy mayor between 2022 and 2023.[1][2] Barker is the city's second female mayor since Sukhi Turner, who served as mayor between 1995 and 2004. Barker is a centre-left independent politician.[1]

Early life and career

Barker spent her childhood growing up in Dunedin's Larnach Castle.[1] She studied and worked in marketing and tourism. Barker also worked for the Dunedin City Council.[1]

Local government career

City councillor, 2019–2025

Barker was first elected as a councillor to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) during the 2019 New Zealand local elections.[1] Following the 2022 Dunedin City Council election, she was appointed as Deputy Mayor by Mayor of Dunedin Jules Radich in October 2022.[1]

On 11 September 2023, Cr Barker resigned as Deputy Mayor while remaining a councillor, citing a breakdown in her professional relationship with Mayor Radich. She cited Radich's discussion of Council disciplinary proceedings against Barry Williams, the chair of the Strath Taieri Community Board, during an interview with Radio New Zealand on 29 August 2023.[2][3] Earlier, Williams had racially abused a non-white staff member at the Strath Taieri Hotel in Middlemarch following a mistake with a food order. While the Dunedin City Council had wanted Williams to resign from his position, Radich instead opted to censure Williams after the latter apologised.[4][3] In addition, Barker and fellow Cr Jim O'Malley also filed a code of conduct complaint against Radich over his handling of William's behaviour.[2][3] In December 2023, an independent investigation upheld Barker and O'Malley's code of conduct complaint against Radich, who apologised for his actions. In addition, the investigator found that fellow DCC Cr Carmen Houlahan had breached the Council's code of conduct by harrying Barker and O'Malley for lodging a complaint against Radich.[5][6]

On 26 August 2025, Cr Barker unsuccessfully voted against a DCC motion to scrap the contentious Albany Street road connection project, which passed by a vote of 8 to 7 votes. The Albany Street project would have involved removing 48 carparks near the University of Otago, and installing a cycleway and improving pedestrian access. Local business owners had criticised the DCC for not consulting them about the proposed project. Mayor Radich has used his casting vote to pass the motion after Jim O'Malley recused himself from the proceedings.[7] That same day, Barker supported a motion to scrap free Sunday parking in the Dunedin city centre, which passed by a vote of 11 to 4.[8] On 23 September, Cr Barker supported a revocation motion filed by Cr Christine Garey to revoke the Council's decision to cancel the Albany Street road connection project, which passed by a margin of 8 to 7 votes.[9]

Mayoralty, 2025–present

During the 2025 Dunedin mayoral election, Barker won the mayoralty, ousting the incumbent Radich. She defeated her main contender, Andrew Simms of the Future Dunedin ticket, by a margin of 105 votes, based on provisional results released on 11 October 2025.[10] Full results released on 18 October confirmed Barker's lead over Simms.[11] Barker was endorsed by Crs Andrew Whiley and Kevin Gilbert, who were previously part of Radich's ticket Team Dunedin.[12]

On 8 November 2025, Barker announced that the DCC would switch from a committee to a portfolio governance model. She became chair of the policy and planning committee and chair of the economic development portfolio.[13] Cr Andrew Simms objected to being appointed as deputy chair of the economic development portfolio, claiming that he was being "sidelined." Barker defended her portfolio allocations, saying that Simms was "taking the new structure personally."[14] On 11 November, Barker and Simms reached a compromise, with the two agreeing to serve as co-chairs of the economic development portfolio. The council also voted by a margin of 13 to 2 votes to adopt Barker's new portfolio governance model.[15]

On 12 November, Barker supported a council motion to accept a budget overspend on the contentious Albany Street Connection Project, which would introduce a cycleway and pedestrian safety project to the street which is near the University of Otago's Dunedin campus and student flats. Local businesses had objected to the pedestrianisation project prior to the 2025 local elections due to concerns about parking and declining road traffic. The motion passed by a margin of 8 to 7 votes. The Albany Street Connection Project is estimated to cost NZ$3 million, with the New Zealand Transport Agency contributing $1.53 million in funding.[16]

On 27 November, Barker supported a council motion advanced by Crs Andrew Simms and Russel Lund to establish a homelessness outreach service by contracting a community organisation. It passed by a margin of 8 to 7 votes, with the Mayor casting the deciding vote. Opponents of the motion including Crs Marie Laufiso and Mandy Mayhem had favoured establishing an in-house homelessness service rather than contracting out services to a community organisation.[17]

On 8 December 2025, Barker was appointed as the head of the committee that monitors the DCC's CEO.[18] In mid-February 2026, Barker opposed a motion to reinstate the Council's grants sub-committee for community groups to apply for funding applications. The motion passed by a margin of 8 to 6 votes with the support of several councillors including Steve Walker, Laufiso, Mayhem and Simms.[19]

Views and positions

As Mayor, Barker supported Parliament's passage of the Crimes Legislation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Act 2025, which makes stalking a criminal offence punishable by five years' imprisonment. Barker had received death threats online.[20]

Personal life

Barker has a daughter, who is a student at the University of Otago.[1] During her early 40s, Barker underwent three brain surgeries to install a titanium plate and tube in her head.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h McNeilly, Hamish (14 October 2025). "She grew up in a castle and now she's the mayor: The rise of Sophie Barker". Stuff. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c McNeilly, Hamish (11 September 2023). "Dunedin deputy mayor Sophie Barker resigns over working relationship with the mayor". Stuff. Retrieved 18 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Miller, Grant (11 September 2023). "First term councillor appointed Dunedin's deputy mayor". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. ^ McNeilly, Hamish (6 September 2023). "Leaked letter reveals racist abuse from Otago politician over pub food order". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. ^ Miller, Grant (13 December 2023). "Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich's race comments 'brought council into disrepute'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Dunedin mayor and councillor breached code of conduct, investigation finds". Radio New Zealand. 13 December 2023. Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  7. ^ Shaw, Ruby (26 August 2025). "Wheels come off Dunedin cycleway as Radich swings vote". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  8. ^ Shaw, Ruby (27 August 2025). "'Mean-spirited' paid Sunday parking approved". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  9. ^ Miller, Grant (23 September 2025). "Drama as Dunedin cycleway decision reversed". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  10. ^ Brunton, Tess (11 October 2025). "Dunedin mayoralty on knife-edge with slim margin between two frontrunners". RNZ. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  11. ^ "Dunedin City Council 2025 Triennial Elections STV Result". Dunedin City Council. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  12. ^ Shaw, Ruby (17 June 2025). "Radich allies switch to Barker". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Shake-up intended to 'elevate' governance". Otago Daily Times. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  14. ^ Scott, Tim (10 November 2025). "Mayor's move 'sidelining me': Simms". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Simms gets his way in last-minute deal". Otago Daily Times. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  16. ^ Miller, Grant (12 November 2025). "Controversial Albany St cycleway survives close vote". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  17. ^ Miller, Grant (28 November 2025). "DCC votes to set up homelessness outreach service". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  18. ^ Miller, Grant (8 December 2025). "Mayor to head CEO committee". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  19. ^ Shaw, Ruby (16 February 2026). "Grants subcommittee reinstated". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  20. ^ Scott, Tim (25 November 2025). "'I had messages in the middle of the night saying I should die'". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
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