A Christchurch City Councillor is in hot water for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to at least one young person.
A complainant said the messages sent were "grossly inappropriate", and were sent late at night on social media, reports Radio New Zealand.
The allegations will now be looked at by an independent investigator, starting Monday.
RNZ reported the messages said things along the lines of "I want a hug" and "I miss you". A meme "sexually explicit" in nature was also sent.
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Council members, including Mayor Lianne Dalziel, have been aware of the allegations since May.
According to RNZ, the three complainants were aged between 13 and 21-years-old and the messages were sent over three years.
A formal complaint was not made until September 4, which kicked off the independent assessment.
The independent investigator will do a "preliminary assessment" to determine whether a full investigation is warranted, acting chief executive Mary Richardson said in a statement to Newshub.
"I have discussed these steps with the complainants' representative and I have also kept the councillor informed of the actions I am taking.
"In fairness to everyone involved, I will not be making any further comment while this complaint is being assessed."
Newshub.
