A former Wellington City Mayor has met with the Council CEO after her private papers were among confidential documents found in a desk bought from a dump sale.

A man bought the desk at a city tip-shop and found termination agreements, whistleblower allegations, and staff pay details inside - dating from the 1980s to the 2000s.

The council has launched a investigation and contacted the Privacy Commissioner. 

Dame Kerry Prendergast says it's appalling the documents have gotten out but says the meeting was reassuring. 

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