Figure and ‘builder of partnerships’

‘‘Dave was a good bugger of the absolute highest order . . . taken from us too soon. Rest easy.’’

Former Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose said Cull was a decent and committed man who ‘‘loved Dunedin with a passion’’.

That included making the city a place that was attractive to current and future residents. Staff also respected him because ‘‘he backed us’’. As a result, the city thrived – ‘‘and that is the best a city can hope for in a mayor’’.

Long-term friend Bill Chisholm said Cull met his old friends ‘‘one last time’’ at a Dunedin bar the Friday before he died. It was made extra special when he was gifted with a toki, or pounamu, by another close friend.

Southern DHB chief executive Peter Hodgson said Cull was well regarded in central government circles, which ‘‘is not is always the case’’.

Cull, despite having no background in the health system, would meet with Hodgson to talk about the new Dunedin Hospital project and other matters.

When Cull went from hospital to a hospice and then home, the pair’s ‘‘thoughtful’’ conversations continued.

‘‘He felt the care he received was exemplary and consistently so,’’ Hodgson said. Cull was particularly indignant about the inequalities concerning Ma¯ ori, particularly in health, which he believed were ‘‘intolerable’’.

Cull grew up in Invercargill, worked as a delivery boy at his family’s grocery store, and attended Southland Boys’ High School.

Those at yesterday’s service heard about how he worked several odd jobs after moving to Dunedin, including driving city buses, before heading overseas and travelling extensively through Asia and Africa.

After a stint working in London, he returned to Dunedin where he used his skills as a furniture maker and carpenter to restore an old home. His big break soon arrived by way of an audition for the television show Renovators.

Cull, who also wrote several books, went on to front other shows including Home Front, Open Home, Town & Country, Maggie’s Garden Show and Master Builders House of the Year.

He was elected to the Dunedin City Council in 2007 and became mayor one term later, beating incumbent Peter Chin.

Yesterday’s funeral service was followed by a private cremation.