A senior executive at the Gore District Council misled media about councillors' mutinous discussions about their mayor Ben Bell. The then-23-year-old mayor walked out of a March 28 behind-closed-doors council meeting, where his fractured relationship with council chief executive Stephen Parry was discussed. A statement by the council two days later said: "At no point during the meeting was there a vote of no confidence in the mayor." "I can categorically confirm that a vote of no confidence in the mayor was NOT discussed at the meeting on Tuesday night. The council last week agreed to undertake a review to restore confidence in the council and to have LGNZ and Taituarā assist in drafting the terms of reference.

Source: Stuff May 27, 2023 09:13 UTC