The Huatoki Plaza Development – All of a sudden - All of a rush - Why is this being signed off early ?
The Huatoki Plaza Development – All of a sudden - All of a rush - this is to be signed off to get accepted at a Council meeting on the 24th June 2025 ?
We note with interest this project has been “Launched” on Neil Holdom’s Mayor Facebook page. There is no mention of this on the NPDC Facebook page. That seemed a bit odd – did the Council not want everyone to know about bringing this project start date forward ?
On the Mayor’s page in the comments there is mention of a meeting with more info – but no mention where or when that is ?
We also note with interest after a few days online, the majority of people commenting are not in support of this project going ahead at this time.
There were a total of 209 comments when we did a total up:
- 133 People are against this project – either at this time – or at all
- 20 people like the idea
- 6 people made neutral comments
- That leaves 50 comments not accounted for – often on Facebook these are the comments removed for various reasons.
So 83% + of people with comments on this Facebook page are not supportive of this project going ahead at this time.
- You could be forgiven for having no idea this project was even planned.
There are 3 tiny mentions of this project in the 2024 LTP – 2 mentions are the same thing – the demolition figure of around $4 M. (We’ve attached where these are mentioned in the LTP highlighted in yellow and green).
Mayor Holdom’s Facebook page mentions this is a $10M project (comment attached) – yet the 2024 LTP only has financial figures mentioned of $5.75M. (Over 7 years).
Where is the other $4.25M that Mayor Holdom mentions highlighted in the LTP ? Where did the Ratepayers and Renters get to have a say about that other $4.25M ?
And the Demolition of this building is shown in the 2024 LTP to start in the 2026 financial year. That financial year starts 1 July 2026. Why is Mayor Holdom bringing this forward to get it signed off in June 2025 – a whole financial year before it is due. Surely this would mean that the Ratepayers and Renters will have additional debt bringing this forward a year ?
What is going on here ?
And to top this off – there is also the Green Masterplan -
There is another plan for the entire Devon Street shopping area – called the Green Masterplan – which is yet another plan to remove carparks, put barriers in the main street with planter boxes – over the top of all the sewer pipes underneath – and once again make it even harder to gain access and shop in the main street.
The Green Master Plan drawings are attached – for each section of Devon Street East, from the Huatoki area to Gover Street.
You will notice limited parking zones and removal of many carparks. Is this another Devon Street West business disaster waiting to happen ? This Council has made no secret in multiple wording - on multiple sites – they intend to get the people of New Plymouth out of their cars. These master plans intend for people to shop in town - but with limited, or no, use of a vehicle.
How is that working on Devon Street East right now ? It is not. People are actively avoiding the area as it is too difficult to shop there. So why would removing carparks, and limiting time zone parking, for the entire length of Devon Street East, work any better than any attempts made so far ?
How many Ratepayers and Renters know about this Green Masterplan ? (Attached are 8 pages of the concept designs).
How is this being paid for ? Where is this listed in the LTP ?
This is the link to the Huatoki Plaza Plans on the NPDC website.
There are 6 projects listed on this page (you can open each one to explore) . Does this look like a $5.75M project ?
Of that $5.75M – how much has already been spent on the design phase ? How much does the NPDC have left of the total $5.75M project in the LTP ?
We’ve heard all about partnering with businesses – how did that go with the Sports Hub ? Not one business came forward to get on board with that project.
One developer so far has signed on, how many more are actually needed for the Huatoki Plaza concept to be a success ?
Why is Neil Holdom bringing this forward and pushing this on the Ratepayers and Renters in 2025 - (3 months before they can vote) - when already so many people are saying stop spending money on things WE DO NOT NEED at this time.
Posted: Sun 22 Jun 2025