US Ambassador Scott Brown explains his conduct during a Peace Corps function in Samoa. (Video first published in October 2017).

US Ambassador Scott Brown has fronted over mounting "innuendo and rumour" about a State Department investigation into his behaviour.

Speaking to Stuff with wife Gail Huff at his side, Brown confirmed there had been an official "administrative inquiry" into his conduct at a Peace Corps event in Samoa in July.

It related to an official complaint about comments he made when arriving at the event, when he told some of the guests they looked "beautiful". There had also been a complaint about a comment he made to a woman serving food and drink that she could make hundreds of dollars in the hospitality industry in the US, Brown said.

SUPPLIED Brown and wife Gail Huff-Brown photographed at the event.

That was the extent of the complaints, and the inquiry had concluded with a warning that he should be more culturally aware, Brown said.

It is understood the State Department followed the usual protocols of sending investigators to Wellington to interview people who were at the dinner, including the Ambassador.

Brown said he had not realised at the time his comments would be offensive.

MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS Brown appeared with fellow Republican Donald Trump as a supporter on the campaign trail in 2016.

"When we walked into the Peace Corps event we walked in and there was a receiving line and prior to walking they were all like dirty and grungy ... We walked in and everyone was dressed to the nines. They all looked great, Gail looked great, you know I was dressed up and Gail and I both walked in and said 'you guys are beautiful, you look really handsome sir, you guys are great'. And apparently somebody took offence to that.

"Fine...I did say it. Gail and I did say it absolutely."

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MONIQUE FORD/STUFF US Ambassador Scott Brown with his wife Gail Huff-Brown speaking with Stuff at the US Embassy in Wellington on Wednesday.

The complaints had come as a complete surprise to he and his wife and nothing had been said at the time or in the days following.

"When we found out what the issues were what the comments were, yes I absolutely said the first thing, we both did. Absolutely told people they could make great waitresses. I would say that to my kids too, in between jobs, hustling one, two, three jobs. Just get some money in your pocket and get out of there.

"And as a result of that I was told that, 'you know, listen you're not Scott Brown from Ryan, New Hampshire any more, you're an ambassador and you have to be culturally aware of different cultures, and different sensitivities' and I'm always welcoming that kind of advice."

CAMERON BURNELL/FAIRFAX NZ US Ambassador Scott Brown faces complaints over comments he made to women.

But he also believed there was an "element' of political motivation behind the complaint.

"At this event there were a lot of people that didn't like [President Trump]. Sadly it's politics and it is what it is."

But he acknowledged there had also been cultural misunderstandings.

The rumours had motivated him to speak out.

"When I hear things that affect my personal integrity and my wife's personal integrity and our representation as an ambassador I am going to jump right on it."

Huff-Brown said she was glad when she heard her husband would get the chance to put his case to the State Department inquiry.

"We were shocked there might even be an issue...one of the things Scott and I have noticed since we been here - we speak English, New Zealanders speak English but a lot of things we say and a lot of things Kiwis say to us we misunderstand.

"This has been a real learning curve for us. I was with Scott the entire time ... and I literally saw nothing. It's absurd."

Brown said when he was informed that there had been a complaint about "insensitive or inappropriate" comments his response had been: "Great, let's get it out in the open. My integrity and reputation is paramount. I hold my head very high and still sleep really well at night."

TRUMP'S DEFENDER

Brown arrived as ambassador in Wellington in June declaring himself "honoured and ready to serve."

In July, he was grilled by RNZ host Kim Hill in an almost hour-long interview that touched on US President Donald Trump's record of misogyny.

Brown was one of Trump's earliest diplomatic appointments. Trump is said to have offered him an ambassador's role in any country he liked.

When he arrived in New Zealand, Brown said of Trump: "I know him, I like him, I trust him."

"He can take a joke and crack a joke. I like that about him. And I've always appreciated his very direct approach to me. Now I don't know what it's like with other people….but I'm pretty direct. I think that's one of the reasons he likes me and trusts me because I just tell him how it is."

Brown is widely reported to have Trump's ear - he was one of the US president's earliest cheerleaders, even touted as a potential running mate. Brown is said to have "counselled" Trump during his campaign and in one interview said he had "total access" to Trump when ever he needed it.

EX-MALE MODEL

Brown has led a varied life, and was a promising basketball star as a youngster before embarking on a military career where he rose to the rank of colonel. He also spent years as a male model in the 1980s.

Brown, who served in the US National Guard before receiving a law degree at Boston College Law School, did not seem to have any ties to New Zealand but did tell GQ magazine in 2015 he "always wanted to go".

The 57-year-old is married to US broadcaster Gail Huff. The couple have two adult daughters.