713
Monday, September 26, 2016
The South Island's army reserves officially have the freedom of Dunedin city, following a formal ceremony.
Mayor Dave Cull and Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose signed the Freedom of the City Charter in the civic centre this afternoon.
It's a symbolic undertaking, offered by the local authority to the 2/4 battalion.
Mayor Cull says it's a sign of trust and honour, which has been practised for hundreds of years.
He says historically armed groups were given freedom of city charters for valour, as they weren't always trusted by communities.
The previous Otago and Southland regiment had the same status, but it was amalgamated with other South Island regiments in 2012.
