A full investigation will take place into the Christchurch City councillor at the centre of allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Christchurch City Council chief executive Mary Richardson said the investigator has found two complaints against Deon Swiggs are "material" and therefore require a full investigation.
- Christchurch City councillor investigated for allegedly sending teenagers 'inappropriate' messages refusing to stand down
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Richardson said however two complaints had been dismissed, as they related to conduct against Swiggs outside his term in office.
"I am obliged by the Code of Conduct to refer one of the complaints to another agency and I have done so," she said in a statement. "The investigator will now prepare a report for the council on the seriousness of the breach in accordance with the Code of Conduct process."
Speaking to reporters following Richardson's announcement, Swiggs said he was "relieved" some complaints had been dismissed, but was "disappointed" at the overall decision.
"There is much in the allegations that is either incorrect, or without context."
Swiggs said it was disappointing an investigation wasn't launched in May, so the situation could be resolved before the local body elections.
A youth group first raised the allegations in May about inappropriate text messages from Swiggs, and a formal complaint was made earlier this month.
"I believe the leak to the media about these complaints, at the same time voting papers were posted, is not coincidental," Swiggs said.
According to Radio New Zealand, the three complainants were aged between 13 and 21-years-old and the messages were sent over three years.
Swiggs outed himself last Monday afternoon after Christchurch City Mayor Lianne Dalziel called on the councillor concerned to name themselves "in fairness to everyone including their colleagues and voters".
Newshub.
