Mayor reveals his role in fracas at flat

Gary McPhee

Flamboyant Carterton mayor Gary McPhee has broken his silence over an incident in the town last Thursday that led to him being questioned by the police.

The first-term mayor, who is a Harley Davidson enthusiast, pushed his way into a Carterton flat and argued with the people inside.

He described his role in the High St incident as being something he regretted, but he was not backing away entirely from it.

"I do regret it," Mr McPhee said yesterday.

"It's something I wish I hadn't done but if someone else had done it I would have supported them."

According to Mr McPhee - and to police - the flat had been at the centre of many police inquiries.

Mr McPhee said he had a few drinks with friends on Thursday and had fielded yet another complaint about the flat. "Rightly or wrongly" he intervened by visiting the premises, forcing the door open and confronting the people inside.

There had been a "verbal exchange" and he said he had left without further ado only to be later spoken to by police.

No charges have been laid, or official complaints made.

Mr McPhee said the flat had been a problem for a long time. He said he had "reacted, or possibly over-reacted" when he had received the complaint on Thursday night.

"Carterton is my town. I am proud of it. I want it to look good and for people to feel safe," he said.

Mr McPhee said he had been negotiating with the owner of the flat, which is tenanted, over its future.

- NZPA