A Mackenzie District councillor has confirmed he is facing a code of conduct complaint following an incident involving a staff member.

Pukaki ward councillor Frank Hocken said a complaint had been made against him.

“I was probably a bit out of order. But never mind. I should not go into it. It was a bit naughty,” he said.

A police spokesperson told chrislyncmedia.com “we have received a report of an alleged assault and enquiries are in their very early stages.

Hocken would not elaborate but said he had “upset the apple cart at the council.”

“I haven’t been banned or anything. They’re quite upset with me, and that’s okay. They can get over it. I’ll let them get over it one way or another.

“I might have to apologise, and I probably will if I’ve got it, but I probably shouldn’t have said what I did. But anyway, that’s life. I’ve said it, and they’ve got to get over it.”

Chief Executive Angela Oosthuizen told chrislynchmedia.com in a statement that the council could confirm “there was an incident at Council offices last week involving an elected member.”

“The matter is subject to an investigation in line with Council’s Code of Conduct, and it would not be appropriate to comment further on the detail at this time.”

The complaint comes as Hocken continues to push back against council spending.

He has been a strong critic of five roles being established at the council, including a part-time health and safety partner, a part-time customer services officer, a governance executive support role, a finance officer role and an economic development officer.

Hocken accused the council of “empire building” by filling the health and safety role.