PM target of mayor's obnoxious texts

Prime Minister John Key has become the target of "obnoxious" and "aggressive" texts that arrive in the wee hours of the morning from North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams.

He told the Sunday Star Times the nuisance messages sometimes arrived as late as 3.30am.

Mr Williams earned a reputation as a late night abuser after sending angry emails, text messages and voice mails to colleagues.

In October he emailed his mayoral predecessor George Wood about 11.30pm describing him as a "buffoon" and a "disgruntled, failed has-been", as well as leaving abusive messages on his voicemail.

Mr Key said he had not replied to any of Mr Williams' texts.

"They're never worthy of a reply.

"The messages were in an aggressive tone...I'm not going to respond to obnoxious messages at this time of the morning."

The texts were in regards to Auckland's four councils merging to become a super city.

Mr Williams said he enjoyed a text message relationship with Mr Key, but would not say whether the Prime Minister replied to any of his messages.

"I don't really want to go into discussions with the prime minister...it's not really for the media to be aware of my communications with the prime minister."

When asked what time was too late to text people such as the prime minister, Williams said: "Are text messages time-sensitive are they?

"Sometimes something pops into your head and you send off a message, not really knowing what time it is."

- NZPA