Security called to remove "disruptive" councillor

Security was called to remove a “disruptive” councillor from the debating chamber during the fluoride debate. Waipu ward councillor Ken Couper was ordered from the chamber following a terse exchange with Mayor Cocurullo, but refused to do so, saying, “you will have to physically remove me”.  The Mayor adjourned the meeting for 10 minutes, which resumed without the disruptive Cr Couper.

We cannot recall a previous occasion where security has been called to remove a member from the chamber. While councillors sometimes have acrimonious exchanges, very rarely does it escalate to the point of calling security to remove a belligerent councillor from a meeting.