Wellington City Council Chief Executive Matt Prosser has today responded to a number of Code of Conduct complaints against City Councillor Ray Chung – relating to his circulation of an email about Mayor Tory Whanau.

Mr Prosser has told the 10 complainants that he has decided to draw the matter to a close after speaking with Cr Chung and the Mayor.

In his message to the complainants and elected members, Mr Prosser wrote that, as the Mayor was involved in the matter, it fell to him as Chief Executive to consider the complaints as required under the Council’s Code of Conduct.

“I have spoken to Councillor Chung who has told me that he understands that the email constituted a lapse of personal judgement and failed to show respect for others in his role as Councillor. As a result, Councillor Chung has issued a personal apology to the Mayor to acknowledge this and the harm caused.

“The Mayor advised me that she has accepted the apology from Cr Chung, and that she does not wish for a Code of Conduct investigation to be undertaken and to instead focus on working as a cohesive council to deliver for the city for the remainder of the triennium.

“On that basis I have decided to draw this matter to a close.

“I wish to be clear that, in doing so, I am respecting the wishes of the Mayor and that personally I do not condone this behaviour,” he said.

Mr Prosser said that after the upcoming local body elections in October, elected members will receive an induction highlighting the importance of good conduct in their role as an elected member of the Council. “I am working with senior members of my team to ensure that this onboarding is as thorough as possible.”

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