A former Far North District councillor has asked the Auditor General to investigate what he calls "fraudulent and corrupt practices" by the district's Mayor Wayne Brown.
Johnson Davis alleged that Mr Brown used his position as mayor to promote his own business interests when he requested his council for $3000 to travel to Canada for a mining conference, and has asked the Auditor General to look into the matter.
Mr Brown hit back yesterday, saying the council had decided not to fund the trip.
"I've asked the council in a totally open way. They [council] will have to first agree to my request before complaints can be made," he said.
Councillors last week rejected the request, but not after being torn between wanting to send the best-qualified person, promoting investment in the North and avoiding a conflict of interest, especially as Mr Brown recently set up a prospecting company, Tai Tokerau Minerals, in which he has a 5 per cent stake.