Formal complaint after councillor's zoo defunding outburst

8:02 pm on 22 May 2018

The Mayor of Nelson has begun a formal complaint over the conduct of a councillor who accepts he overstepped the mark.

Nelson City councillor Mike Rutledge.

Nelson City councillor Mike Rutledge Photo: Supplied

The council last week voted to reduce funding for Nelson's Natureland zoo, which is run by the wife of first-term councillor Mike Rutledge.

Mr Rutledge has always acknowledged the conflict of interest, but is reported to have confronted councillors on the funding decision while the meeting was in recess.

Today he issued an explanation and a public apology.

"When matters regarding Natureland are before council I have a very clear conflict of interest. As such I have been very careful to declare this and remove myself from any decision-making council does regarding Natureland," Mr Rutledge said.

He said when the decision was made last Thursday to remove funding from Natureland down to a level he knew would put the future potential of the facility at grave risk, he said things that were not appropriate.

Mr Rutledge apologised to all involved, and accepted that he overstepped the mark.

"I accept that some councillors voted for the reduction in funding to Natureland out of genuine concern for best use of ratepayers money and my reaction to this was not in keeping with my values, or the values of council.

"I should not have reacted the way I did and I unreservedly apologise to the councillors concerned and the wider public."

Mayor Rachel Reese told RNZ she has started a Code of Conduct complaints process.

"I have advised councillor Rutledge that is underway."

She said it was her preference that an independent panel conduct the inquiry, given the number of councillors involved in the matter including a number who have already spoken publicly about the incident.

"I think that would be the fairest process for councillor Rutledge, for myself as the person making the complaint and for the public of Nelson."

Ms Reese said the inquiry would follow the path of a judicial process, and as the complainant she was not in a position to comment further on the details.