Dr Nick Smith
Mayor of Nelson

YOUR report with the headline “Challenging Councils Tour” on Friday, October 18 about the Challenging Councils meeting in Whakatāne notes that Mark Quinn claims I referred to him as a “muckraker” and a “liar” at a public meeting.

I never used these words.

I did make a Facebook post about his presentation in Nelson in which I was critical of his claims about mayors and councils in New Zealand being controlled by the World Economic Forum, as it is untrue.

I have no difficulty in councils being critiqued on their performance, but false claims and conspiracy theories undermine New Zealand’s local democracy.

I challenge Mr Quinn and Challenging Councils to state where and when I said the words he attributes to me.