North Shore mayor Andrew Williams has been criticised for sending what have been described as "aggressive" and "obnoxious" late-night text messages to senior political figures.
The Prime Minister's office has confirmed John Key has received messages from Mr Williams as late as 3.30am.
But Mr Williams told Morning Report that he cannot recall sending any texts in early hours of the morning. He says has sent them at midnight, especially when Parliament is sitting, as he has a busy life and often works at night.
Mr Williams sees nothing wrong with sending late-night text messages to senior political figures, saying he is simply trying to make good use of his time and anyone who does not want to receive the messages late at night can switch off their phone.
"People do work at strange hours of the day and night, often to just keep up with their workload. Others who might be cuddled up and snug in their beds by 9 o'clock don't realise that busy politicians can work at all hours.
"I think John Key even himself would be the same - working often in the middle of the night and at odd hours to keep up with the workload."
Mr Williams says he objects to the Prime Minister calling the texts aggressive, because the length limitations of text messages means they must always be rather direct.
The mayor says he will discuss the issue with Mr Key and ask him to approach him personally with any future problems.
Mr Williams says he recalls sending a message to several MPs when the Auckland super-city bill was being debated under urgency at Parliament earlier this year.
He says he was surprised that no North Shore MPs were in the House, so he texted them asking where they were and why they were not there on such an important occasion.
Late-night texts inappropriate - LGNZ
Local Government New Zealand says it is inappropriate for Mr Williams to be texting the Prime Minister in the middle of the night.
Its president, Lawrence Yule, says several mayors have been given Mr Key's phone number.
Mr Yule says Mr Williams has not broken any rules, but believes he has gone against common courtesy.
"I think along with getting the Prime Minister's phone number, there are some obligations to be mindful of that confidence given and to protect his privacy. And I don't think anybody should accept or receive texts at 3 o'clock in the morning."
While Mr Yule thinks it is good Mr Williams is passionate about his work, he cannot condone this behaviour and says common courtesy dictates that people should not send unnecessary messages late at night.
