KEY POINTS:
A Kapiti man has apologised for turning up to a local council meeting in a Ku Klux Klan outfit.
Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board deputy chairman Dale Evans walked in to Kapiti District Council's meeting last month dressed in the flowing white robe and hood.
He had a sign around his neck saying "Its wotz under da hood dat counts" - mimicking the slogan used in a national youth hoodie campaign.
He said he wore the costume as a publicity stunt to draw attention to problems with Kapiti bore water.
Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan today slammed Mr Evans for his "offensive behaviour" and said she was pleased to receive his apology at the council meeting this morning.
Mr Evan's attire was not only extremely inappropriate, but also highly distasteful to fellow community board members, councillors and members of the public.
"The use of a Ku Klux Klan costume was incredibly unintelligent, completely ill-conceived and absolutely incongruent with the water issues you say you are concerned about.
"If you were trying to make a point about Hoodie Day it fell far short of the mark, and ended up under-mining the sincere and genuine efforts of young people in the district to promote Youth Week activities," she said.
Ms Rowan said Mr Evans had crossed the line with his continued "attention-seeking behaviour".
- NZPA
