A jury is being chosen in Invercargill for what is believed to be Southland's first defamation trial for 100 years.

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.