Hutt City's mayor has ordered an urgent review of a process that has seen thousands of dollars spent on resolving arguments between councillors.
In December the Hutt City Council adapted a new code of conduct that requires disputes between politicians to be dealt with by the CEO, Tony Stallinger.
But he felt he had no legal standing to adjudicate and called in lawyers instead, resulting in hefty legal fees of over $20,000.
Mayor Ray Wallace said the costs are unacceptable, and plans to take over himself.
"I will be proposing to councillors that we revert back that it is the Mayor that will deal with any disputes between councillors."