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Wellington's deputy mayor censured for using offensive term 'nonce' in online exchange, ordered to apologize.
Wellington Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty has been formally censured and ordered to apologize after using the term "nonce" in a January 2026 online exchange, a British slang term considered highly offensive when referring to a child sex offender.
The comment, made in response to an anonymous critic following a privacy breach involving his travel details, prompted a Code of Conduct complaint upheld by Mayor Andrew Little, who cited a failure to uphold office dignity.
McNulty, who said he misunderstood the term’s weight—believing it meant "a bit of a dick"—issued a public apology, calling the incident a learning experience.
The case highlights concerns about online conduct by public officials.
El vicealcalde de Wellington fue censurado por usar el término ofensivo 'nonce' en un intercambio en línea, y se le ordenó que se disculpara.