Newly-elected\u00a0Central Otago councillor\u00a0Dave McKenzie has quit amid online accusations, saying the pressure is too much for his family.<\/p>\n
His resignation will trigger a by-election for his seat in the Vincent ward.<\/p>\n
After previously saying he would not resign, Mr\u00a0McKenzie issued a statement this afternoon announcing his decision to step down.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The online destructive, misinformation and hatred has become a too higher [sic] price to pay, for\u00a0my children, my wife, and my physical and mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n
“I am disappointed, I am forced\u00a0to put our wellbeing ahead of the communities [sic] need.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Therefore, I resign\/withdraw from the council election with immediate effect.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr McKenzie won a seat around the council table on Saturday but the following day was accused\u00a0on social media of financial misconduct during his time as a council contractor.<\/p>\n
The post – by Rachel Kerr, widow of former council property and facilities manager Mike\u00a0Kerr – alleged Mr McKenzie altered contractors\u2019 invoices for personal gain.<\/p>\n
It has drawn\u00a0hundreds of reactions and calls for him to stand down\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Monday Mr McKenzie said he would not stand down and the posts misrepresented a 2018 dispute with the council and stemmed from ” a vengefully [sic] response to a fractured\u00a0friendship rather than any reflection on my professional performance\u201d.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged making mistakes and said he had repaid the council $1000 at the time, but\u00a0maintained fault lay on both sides.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said she had met with Mr McKenzie on\u00a0Monday and asked him whether he thought the accusations would make his stay untenable.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018He did not agree and had suggested to me that he will be remaining in the seat.<\/p>\n
“The mayor\u00a0has no ability to remove an elected member and neither does the council.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
In a statement this afternoon Ms Alley said if Mr McKenzie was confirmed as a councillor in the official results,\u00a0his resignation would take effect immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We anticipate official results by the end of this week.\u200b\u00a0This will trigger a by-election for the Vincent ward, expected to be held\u00a0in the next few months.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“While this will incur additional costs for ratepayers, I believe it is the best outcome to ensure our community\u2019s full confidence in the integrity of their council over the next three years.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
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