'Load of bollocks': Horowhenua Mayor Michael Feyen says he serves the people

Horowhenua mayor Michael Feyen has dismissed as "a load of bollocks" comments that his council has lost confidence in him.

The majority of the Horowhenua District Council voted no confidence in their Mayor on Monday, which deputy Mayor Wayne Bishop said sent a strong message about Feyen's leadership.

"We as the elected members, the majority of, that we are no longer prepared to sit idly by," Bishop said.

But Feyen said the comment was a "load of bollocks".

"It's the people who decide who's the Mayor, and that's who I'm working for," he said.

The vote was carried seven votes for and one against - two councillors were absent - and followed a report in which Bishop said Feyen's leadership was "divisive, unprofessional and, frankly, dishonourable".

The report accused Feyen of making decisions within the mayoral office rather than around the council table, and using the media to advance agendas and "vendettas".

"As elected members we have no confidence in mayor Feyen to lead us, the Horowhenua District Council to represent us, or our community," the report said.

Bishop said the mayor had since his election "either failed to understand his role and that of his office or has chosen to ignore and disrespect the trust, confidence and powers bestowed on the position of mayor and the mayor's office".

"Instead, [he] continually undermined the management of the Horowhenua District Council and in particular our chief executive."

Feyen, who has repeatedly said he campaigned for transparency in the council, said any accusations of bullying or harassment were "absolute rubbish" and "below the belt".

The NZ local council website states: "mayors, like councillors, are elected by their district for a three-year term. Mayors cannot be removed from office by the council."

A Local Government New Zealand spokesperson said a vote of no confidence "carries no statutory weight and therefore no legal consequences for the person involved".

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