A family spokesperson said Dittmer had repeatedly lobbied the council to prevent 1080 drops in South Wairarapa with particular emphasis on his perceived risks to public drinking water catchments.
“Garry’s love for our family, his love for his community and his love for our beautiful country and its people was at the heart of everything he did.
“We cannot even begin to articulate who and what we have lost at this point in time,” the spokesperson said.
Video footage showed Dittmer speaking from behind a desk at the council meeting.
Under council rules, Dittmer was allocated three minutes during the public participation session to put his initial point or question forward, with another two minutes for councillors to ask questions on the matter.
In response to Dittmer at the meeting, councillor Aidan Ellims replied: “Garry, the issue about 1080 is not a South Wairarapa District Council issue”.
Water infrastructure and services are provided by the council, but 1080 use for predator control is undertaken by the Department of Conservation, which says on its website no drinking water in New Zealand has been contaminated by its 1080 operations.
Dittmer pressed his point for his final minute, but the conversation deteriorated and Mayor Fran Wilde adjourned the meeting.
Warren Woodgyer attended the meeting, and told RNZ Dittmer appeared stressed and crossed beneath the barrier, and attempted to follow the councillors as they exited the chamber.
He said Dittmer was escorted back towards his seat by a councillor, but collapsed, falling on to the table and then to the floor.
In a statement, Wilde said Dittmer’s passing was “highly distressing” for the public as well as councillors and staff.
“Emergency services were immediately informed, along with the local medical centre. We fortunately had a person on the council with a medical background who was able to administer CPR until the other services arrived.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr Dittmer’s family and friends. Several people from the council who knew the family attended last week’s memorial service,” Wilde said.
A police spokesperson said police were notified about 2.20pm on October 1.
They said the death was being referred to the coroner.