Investigations into Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark's code of conduct breaches were the council’s most expensive in the past five years.

The two complaints about Clark's behaviour cost ratepayers more than $60,000 this year.

On 16 March, Clark attended a United Fire Brigades’ 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’.

Both incidents saw Clark in breach of the council’s code of conduct after complaints were brought against him and upheld.

In September, Local Democracy Reporting revealed the investigation into Clark’s actions at the UFBA event cost $42,330, while his behaviour on television cost $20,146.

Figures released by Invercargill City Council under LGOIMA this week have now detailed the cost of other breaches in the past five years, revealing the recent incidents were the most expensive.

It also showed a complaint against Clark in 2020 - who was then deputy mayor - was the third most expensive investigation in the past five years.

At the time, councillor Ian Pottinger challenged Clark for questioning the truthfulness of remarks by former chief executive Clare Hadley.

The cost of investigating that complaint came in at $16,979 and resulted in Clark making a public apology.

He has also made public apologies for his more-recent breaches of the code.

In 2019, councillor Lesley Soper laid a complaint against former-mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt over comments he made about a group of people that included one of her family members.

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

The exercise cost a total of $1225.

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

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

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

Council chief executive Michael Day said a code of conduct was a statutory obligation under legislation, and should promote “effective working relationships”.

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

The council's 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