A Whangarei mayoral candidate says he is disappointed the election campaign has been marred by what he calls a cowardly personal attack on him.
Go-Whangarei mayoral candidate David Blackley was confronted by self-appointed council watchdog Warren Slater at a meet-the-candidate forum at Ruatangata on Tuesday.
Mr Slater - who denied his attack was cowardly - had questioned Mr Blackley over a full-page advertisement the latter placed in the Northern Advocate in September 2011.
Mr Blackley said the advertisement was placed in response to rumours at the time that he had mistreated his wife.
Mr Blackley's advertisement included this statement: "I have never been convicted of an act of violence or abuse against any person nor have I ever stood before the Family Court to defend any such charge. I am most definitely not guilty of any act of abuse against any member of my family."