A large colour photograph of former Dunedin mayor Sukhi Turner has been snuck into the City Council Chambers with little publicity.

The photo was paid for by Sukhi Turner to replace the official oil painting of her which had been commissioned by the council.

However, Turner labelled her oil portrait "ugly" and didn't believe it looked like her.

Dunedin artist Els Noordhof has painted a number of other portraits of the city's former mayors which are hanging in the council chambers.

Sukhi Turner retired as Mayor last year after 3 terms in charge of the city.

She bought the official painting but doesn't plan to hang it in her home.