Mr Quinn contacted the Otago Daily Times yesterday, saying he attended the afternoon meeting he had organised, but arrived late.
An article yesterday said the meeting was set for a 1pm start and when he did not appear people drifted off.
Mr Quinn said he was held up talking to another candidate and had two other meetings in the morning. He had six meetings on Wednesday.
The afternoon meeting was well attended, with about 30 people there, and one person came up to him and had said that was the "best piece of fresh air" he had heard in 20 years, he said.
When asked if he thought it was not a good look to turn up late to a meeting he had organised, he asked the reporter if he had ever been late to anything.
He was usually early for all meetings, Mr Quinn said.
"Well, at the end of the day for me, if anyone has been to any of my meetings, they’ll know I turn up real early."
For his second meeting of the day, at Alexandra Anglican Church hall, he was there an hour before its 7pm start, he said.
The second meeting went well and he was pleased with the response.
Mr Quinn is facing current mayor Tamah Alley and Cromwell resident Charlie Sanders in the mayoralty race. He is also seeking a spot on the Teviot Valley Community Board.
