Nobby Clark’s interview conduct ‘offensive’ and ‘sickening’ – complaint

Saturday, 4 May 2024

The Invercargill City Council has released the contents of the code of conduct complaint against mayor Nobby Clark.

The complainants, councillors Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger, contended that Clark’s involvement in a televised interview with comedian Guy Williams breached rules against causing reputational harm or bringing the council into disrepute.

The topic of the interview, broadcast during March in an episode of Williams’ satirical news show New Zealand Today, was Clark’s use of the N-word at a public function last year.

During the interview, he repeatedly used the word “and showed no remorse for his actions”, said the letter of complaint, which was released in response to media requests under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

The mayor also produced a copy of the book Twisting the Treaty.

“To associate a book related to the Treaty of Waitangi within an interview concerning the use of the N-word, we believe, is sickening,” the complaint said.

Bond and Pottinger cited three breaches of the code.

“We believe his behaviour was offensive and discriminatory … [It] did undermine the reputation of [the] council and other elected members … The mayor has failed to live up to the standards that this leadership role requires.

“We have received considerable feedback from the community voicing strong displeasure at the mayor’s behaviour, and that cannot be ignored.

“We truly believe that if we chose not to lodge this complaint then we would be, in effect, condoning the mayor’s behaviour.”

The complaint is being independently investigated by a Dunedin lawyer.

Clark, who said last month that he apologised “to anybody who felt offended” by the interview, has decided he will not take part in the investigation.