A jury is being chosen in Invercargill for what is believed to be Southland's first defamation trial for 100 years.
Tim Shadbolt (file picture). Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
An Invercargill city councillor, Karen Arnold, has taken the case against the mayor Tim Shadbolt and newspaper the Southland Times for a series of columns published between October 2014 and April 2015.
In the columns Mr Shadbolt questioned Ms Arnold's stance and actions on several high profile projects.
The pair have had a fractious relationship since she joined the council in 2013.
This morning the High Court has been choosing a jury to hear the case, which is expected to take two weeks.
Opening arguments are expected to be heard tomorrow morning.