A farmer with interests in dairy, sheep, beef and
forestry, Dunlop served 33 years in local government. He was first elected to the Hawera District Council in 1986. The South Taranaki District was formed in 1989 and Dunlop was elected as a councillor to the new council. He was chairman of the Hawera Community Board and then went onto chair the Environment and Hearing Committee. He chaired a number of hearing applications including the consent for the
Kupe oil and gas production station. He served with Mayor Mary Bourke and when she stood down in 2007 he stood for the mayoralty. He won against seven candidates. During Dunlop's term of office, a new multi sport stadium—the Hub—opened. New water treatment facilities for
Hāwera,
Ōpunake,
Pātea, and Waimate West and upgraded water treatment for
Eltham and Waverley were commissioned. The Hāwera town centre was a major focus, with a new supermarket and new laneways, and a proposed new library/cultural centre. Dunlop led the council treaty settlement negotiations with
Taranaki iwi and
Ngāruahine. Significant council properties were returned to
iwi. One of the most important and historic properties, Te Ngutu o Te Manu, was returned to Ngāruahine. Te Ngutu o Te Manu was the home of Ngāruahine chief
Tītokowaru, who repelled two attacks by colonial forces on the village in 1868. Major
Gustavus von Tempsky was killed in the attack. ==Controversy==