I'm shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of former Mayor Jules Radich. Jules was a much appreciated, valued and dedicated member of our Council who I deeply admired for his service to our community.

Jules served his first term as Dunedin City Council Councillor between 2019 and 2022 before being elected the 59th Mayor of Dunedin. He served as Mayor until October 2025 and was then reappointed as a City Councillor.

Jules’s mayoralty will be remembered for his unstinting dedication to the Southern Hospital. Under his leadership the city held a protest march, the nurses’ petition was presented at Parliament, and ‘Cliff’ the ambulance drummed up support from around the region. The end result – that all eleven floors of the inpatients building are being built on the former Cadbury site as promised – is due in no small measure to Jules’s tireless advocacy.

Jules's dedication and love for to Dunedin was immense and he always had the city’s best interests at heart. He will be remembered for his many and varied contributions to our city, including to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, the Dunedin Art Society and the business community.

As Councillor Radich was a sitting Councillor, a by-election will now be triggered. More details will be provided next week.

For now, our thoughts, deepest love and sympathies are with Jules's family and friends, and the city’s flags fly at half mast in honour of a respected colleague, leader and friend.

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