Nobby Clark makes the most expensive breaches in recent times

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark found himself in a sticky situation with his council’s code of conduct this year.
Photo: Provided / Daily Times Otago

Investigations into breaches of Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark’s code of conduct have been the council’s costliest in the past five years.

The two complaints about Clark’s behavior have cost taxpayers more than $60,000 this year.

On March 16, Clark attended a United Firefighters Association (UFBA) event where he received a complaint for verbally attacking the female MC and calling volunteer firefighters second-class citizens.

The following week, he appeared on comedian Guy Williams’ show. New Zealand today and drew criticism for using a homophobic slur and the “n-word.”

In both cases, Clark breached the council’s code of conduct after complaints were made against him and upheld.

In September, Report on local democracy revealed that the investigation into Clark’s actions at the UFBA event cost $42,330, while his behavior on television cost $20,146.

Figures released this week by Invercargill City Council under LGOIMA now detail the cost of other breaches over the past five years, revealing recent incidents have been the costliest.

It also showed that a 2020 complaint against Clark — who was then deputy mayor — was the third costliest investigation in the past five years.

At the time, councilor Ian Pottinger challenged Clark for questioning the veracity of former chief executive Clare Hadley’s comments.

The cost of investigating this complaint was $16,979 and led Clark to issue a public apology.

He also publicly apologized for his more recent code violations.

In 2019, councilor Lesley Soper made a complaint against former mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt following comments he made about a group of people including one of his family members.

A report found a violation had occurred, but the council did not pass a resolution making findings or requiring action.

The exercise cost a total of $1,225.

In 2020, a complaint was made against former councilor Toni Biddle by former chief executive Clare Hadley after Biddle made comments about her performance and conduct during a meeting.

Biddle resigned before its conclusion, but the matter still cost the board $12,410.

Clark is in his first term as mayor but has ruled out running again. In January, he underwent heart surgery following a cardiac event.

Council chief executive Michael Day said a code of conduct was a statutory duty under the law and should promote “effective working relationships”.

“A code of conduct represents a commitment by all elected members to maintain high standards of behavior, which is important to their credibility as city leaders and to the reputation of Invercargill,” he said .

The council version is a 25-page document, last updated in 2022.

It covers a range of topics including relationships, media protocols and conflicts of interest.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air