Following an extraordinary council meeting on 26 July, Clark was requested by fellow councillors to make a “sincere” public apology for his actions at a full council meeting.
That opportunity came on Tuesday, as councillors met to discuss a representation review.
“I need to make a public apology, which is a part of the commitment I gave at the end of the code of conduct inquiry into the New Zealand Today TV show that I was party to,” Clark said early in the meeting.
“So I just wish to acknowledge to my elected colleagues and to the community that by participating the way I did in that interview, that I breached the code of conduct expectations of an elected member and portrayed the city in a very poor light.”
His public apology on Tuesday was his second in as many weeks.
On July 30, he apologised at a council meeting for breaching the council’s code of conduct at a United Fire Brigades’ Association event in March.
A series of allegations were levelled at Clark in relation to his behaviour at the meeting, including derogatory comments to the female MC about her appearance and competence, and calling volunteer firefighters second-class citizens.
An investigation report into the mayor’s actions said Clark left the woman so upset, she wished the ground would “open up and swallow her”.
Clark is in his first term as mayor but has ruled out standing again at the next election.
