A Massey University researcher has taken Napier City Council to task over its code of conduct, saying it is one of a handful of councils around the country that stifles the free speech of councillors.
But Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says the code has not been needed for years and he encourages his councillors to speak out.
Dr Catherine Strong, from Massey's School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, analysed the codes of conduct of all 67 city and district councils.
Napier City was the only Hawke's Bay council to include what she called "disturbing" wording preventing elected representatives members talking to the media about anything negative within their council.
While most councils clearly stated that elected members have the right to talk freely to the media - apart from restrictions around confidential information and employment practices - she found that 10 councils, including Napier, restrict elected members giving critical opinions to the media.