Dunedin city councillors are defending their leader after Mayor Dave Cull interrupted an abusive ratepayer's tirade to ask if he was "deaf or just stupid".

The incident occurred at Tuesday's Dunedin City Council meeting, as Cull attempted to halt personal criticism of his performance as mayor by Port Chalmers resident Stu Debenham.

Debenham was speaking at the meeting's public forum, but refused to be silenced, prompting the comment from Cull which drew gasps from the audience.

Cull, in a written statement yesterday, reiterated his earlier apology at the meeting and said he regretted "that I let frustration get the better of me".

"As someone with hearing difficulties myself, I particularly regret any offence caused to people with hearing impairments."

The council's code of conduct required Cull and his councillors to "treat members of the public in a courteous manner".

Council staff confirmed late yesterday no complaint alleging a breach of the code had been received.

However, councillors contacted yesterday said none was justified as Cull had been provoked.

Councillor David Benson-Pope said Debenham's presentation had been "extraordinarily inappropriate" and it was "most unfortunate the mayor was put in the position he was".

"I don't condone the comment he made, but he did apologise for that."

Councillor Mike Lord said he was "not that concerned" by the mayor's comments, and might have done the same.

"I believe the title of the mayor is worthy of respect," he said.

Councillor Rachel Elder said Cull appeared to have caught "a bit of foot-in-mouth disease", but clearly regretted his actions.

The council wanted public participation, and "grizzles" were part of the process, but respectful behaviour was needed on both sides.

Councillor Christine Garey said there had been "extreme provocation" by Debenham, putting Cull in a "totally impossible position".

Cull was right to apologise, but "it's just not OK for members of the public to come into that situation and have a crack", Garey said.

Councillor Doug Hall agreed, saying Debenham was "totally out of order".

Councillor Lee Vandervis said he did not think he could "usefully add anything", while other councillors did not return calls.

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