UPDATED 4.05pm: Hamilton city councillor Mark Bunting has resigned from his position as Deputy Chair of the Community and Services Committee after sending a lewd message to a journalist.

He will continue as a city councillor.

Mr Bunting attended a complaints committee meeting this morning after he sent a social media message to Angela Cumming, making a reference to Jesus and a play on her last name.

The committee found Mr Bunting had breached the Code of Conduct Policy by sending something which was sexually and religiously offensive.

In a statement Mr Bunting says he will continue to serve the Hamilton community with honesty and is extremely motivated to win back the trust of those he offended.