Police have cleared Gisborne's Mayor of allegations he tried to buy voters in this year's elections.

They've been investigating Meng Foon, after a complaint was laid by local body election candidate Peter Jones.

Mr Jones complained the mayor was seen putting a twenty-dollar note on a table at a club - and alleged it was a form of ''treating' where a person directly or indirectly gives valuables to influence voters.

Meng Foon maintained it was a koha for a local kaumatua who was celebrating a birthday.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Ford said there are no legal issues with money being given to a person that Meng Foon has known since childhood.