Germany's Mario Goetze hugs his girlfriend Ann-Kathrin Brommel after extra time in the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 13, 2014.
Germany's Mario Goetze hugs his girlfriend Ann-Kathrin Brommel after extra time in the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 13, 2014. REUTERS

Alleged sexual harassment by a high profile public servant has cost his job in New Zealand. The chief executive of New Zealand quake recovery authority resigned on Monday after facing allegations of sexual harassment by a female staffer, which involved inappropriate jokes and unwanted hugs.

Roger Sutton, the Chief executive of CERA, admitted that he crossed the limits of the permissible conduct and apologised for any harm caused.

Undiserable Conduct

Addressing a press conference, Iain Rennie, State Services Commissioner announced that an investigation into the incident had found that Mr Sutton's conduct not in conformity with the standards expected from a responsible public service leader. Though the investigation report did not call for his dismissal, Mr Sutton himself decided to resign, saying he was "exhausted and the complaint was the straw that broke the camel's back". Mr Sutton explained, "I have called women honey and sweetie. That I find wrong. May be that is sexist and I should stop doing that" .

Rennie, while praising Sutton's contribution to the Canterbury rebuild, also made it clear that "every state servant must work in a safe environment where they are treated with professionalism and respect. I expect high standards of public service chief executives and will firmly deal with any complaint of inappropriate conduct", reported 3 News.

Mr Sutton will relinquish the office on Jan. 31 next year, a day before CERA comes under the Prime Minister's office.

Minister's Statement

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said he was disappointed by the turn of events that led to Mr Sutton's resignation. "I want to acknowledge Roger's contribution as chief executive of CERA over the past three-and-a-half years", reported Stuff.Co. Nz.

Meanwhile, Jo Malcolm, Mr Sutton's wife said she was struggling to come to terms with the resignation. "May be the problem is, he's too informal. But that makes him amazing and that is why the CERA staff love him. He's a really good man, far more compassionate than I am but he's also really silly - and that is what I love about him." Mr. Sutton also said he wanted to spend more time with family and reasoned that "the job has been very demanding and I am too exhausted and haven't done enough with my family." The CERA was constituted after the Canterbury earthquakes to expedite the work of recovery and co-ordinate the rebuilding activities in the city.