Sam Bennett has been openly critical of the Mayor, Max Brough, with 3 posts on his NPDC Councillor Facebook page.
We have had a number of people get in touch with us about the comments Sam Bennett has been making on his NPDC Councillor Facebook page, about the Mayor, Max Brough.
We thought we’d said everything that needed to be said after a Daily News story featured Sam Bennett’s opinion, and comments that we didn’t think were appropriate publicly. Sam was very openly critical of the elected Mayor.
We just thought people would make a few comments – and that would be an end to an upset Sam who was not successful in a draw of who would attend the LGNZ conference.
But our e-mail inbox and messenger have had multiple people complaining to us about the things Sam Bennett has been saying publicly in the last few days, in new posts on his Councillor page.
Again, just reminding people, this Facebook Page is provided for Sam by the NPDC because he is a Councillor. This is not his personal Facebook page that just a few friends share – it is a Council page.
- A number of people are asking if a code of conduct complaint should be laid against Sam Bennet for his publicly open criticism of the Mayor ?
- And the comments are being made that he is using a Facebook page supplied and paid for by the NPDC to be so openly critical.
- People are asking if these accusations about the Mayor should be behind closed doors and resolved privately within the NPDC ?
Another thing being brought up with Sam’s Councillor Facebook page is that he does not allow comments to be made with the posts he puts on. People are saying he makes a statement in a post, but he is not interested in feedback from the people following his page.
So, what has Sam Bennett said that the community are asking questions about ?
- The first post below is the original post on Sam’s Councillor Facebook page with the Daily News Story - on 11th September.
- There are 2 more posts over the next few days, on the 12th and 14th September.
****11th September Post****
This Daily News Story was posted on Sam’s Councillor Facebook page, which is where we found our original story.
Glenn McLean
Taranaki Daily News
September 9, 2026 • 12:00pm
Councillor vents his anger at NP mayor’s selection process for LGNZ conference
New Plymouth district councillor Sam Bennett is upset he has not been selected to attend the annual LGNZ conference.
The working relationship between New Plymouth mayor Max Brough and councillor Sam Bennett has been further strained over a selection process to decide who represents council at the annual Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) conference.
A series of emails between Brough, Bennett and senior council staff was sent to the Taranaki Daily News after the mayor used a “blind draw” to select who would attend the conference in Rotorua in October.
Bennett had been campaigning to attend the conference for months but missed out in the draw in favour of councillors Dinnie Moeahu and Damon Fox, who would accompany Brough and deputy mayor Moira George.
Aside from the fact the mayor used a blind draw to make the selection, Bennett became infuriated to learn Fox would be attending given the first-term councillor had voted to withdraw council’s membership of LGNZ in March.
New Plymouth District councillor Damon Fox will attend the conference despite voting to leave the national body.
Fox’s reasoning was he believed council’s voice would not be heard through LGNZ’s submissions to Government.
“How does that work and makes sense and how is that a wise investment of ratepayer money Mayor Max?,” Bennett asked in one email.
“My TRUST in your leadership and judgement, indeed this current regime, is already at rock bottom and this outcome just reaffirms to me that you are sadly out of your depth Mayor Max and gaining any TRUST is along [sic] way off for me.”
Brough had earlier sent Bennett an email explaining the rationale behind the selection process and the decision to limit the number of councillors attending to save costs after four councillors put their name forward to attend.
He said he wanted to “ensure fairness and independence” so chose to undertake a blind draw for the spots that were available.
“I trust you accept the outcome as fair and equitable.”
New Plymouth mayor Max Brough used a blind draw to select the councillor to attend the conference.
Brough also pointed out that if a decline or apology was belatedly offered he was “more than happy” to revisit attendees.
Earlier emails showed Bennett had applied to attend the annual conference for seven straight years yet had only been selected twice.
As “a long-time staunch advocate” for LGNZ “it pains me to miss the cut” once again, Bennett said.
“I just can’t believe it.”
Brough responded to questions by the Taranaki Daily News about the selection process by saying everyone was entitled to their own viewpoint.
****12th September Post****
Cr. Sam Bennett NPDC is feeling pained at New Plymouth District Council.
Follow
3 hours ago (about 6pm Sat 12th Sept).
The WARNINGS AGAINST rate capping are loud and clear folks
But are we listening
No we are not
Here in New Plymouth, we have a Mayor who appears hell-bent , come hell or high water on pursuing a 2% rate-capping baseline as we head into the 2027–37 Long-Term Plan.
I make absolutely no apology for stating this publicly:
I think rate capping is dumb ( its proven to be DUMB )
Dumb economics.
Dumb business.
Poor judgment and poor leadership.
And, in my view, dumb governance.
DUMB DUMB and DUMBER
Cr. Sam Bennett NPDC
New Plymouth District Council 3rd term District Wide Councillor
***14th September Post***
PHEW…… this chap we call mayor really is the gift that keeps on giving, unfortunately, it’s a gift with a heavy price tag , and certainly not one that keeps giving for the right reasons!
Just when you think the latest episode of "Brough Fires From the Hip” might be the final instalment, along comes another spectacular example of a Mayor apparently operating without a filter, a safety catch or even a quick glance at the consequences of his actions.
This time, however, the collateral damage appears to include his own Deputy Mayor(s)! His own leadership regime no less.
You really couldn’t make this stuff up.
Leadership is apparently being redefined: say it first, act first, THEN think about the consequences later - if at all.
Because here’s the thing about being Mayor: your words matter. Your actions matter. Your relationships with your fellow elected members matter. And when your actions have consequences for the very people expected to work alongside you, that’s not leadership, that’s a problem not only for Elected Members but the community at large.
Perhaps someone might eventually whisper the word “consequences” into the Mayor’s ear.
And perhaps, just perhaps, the arrival of the new NPDC CEO cannot come soon enough.
Not because the CEO is there to clean up political messes, they’re not, but because a strong, professional organisational culture, clear leadership and sound judgment would be a very welcome change of scenery around the Council table.
So buckle up folks…… the Brough Chronicles clearly aren’t finished yet.
Same Mayor.
Same loose cannon.
Same scatterbrain decision making.
Another day. Another episode. Another entirely avoidable mess.
This guy is out of control !
Bring on the new CEO. Let’s hope some sanity, stability and genuine leadership and judgement finally enters the building- sooner than later !
Cr. Sam Bennett NPDC— feeling pained at New Plymouth District Council.
***And what have people been saying to us about these posts ? ***
Below are examples of comments made to us:
“This guy is meant to represent his constituents but never allows transparency in actually allowing opinions other than his own!"
"We don’t live in a dictatorship so he should be 100% open to discussion on his views as a councillor.”
“I do not like how he goes about running Max down all the time”
“He sets up his page so no one can comment. Its like he has his say and then puts his head back in the sand.”
“Publicly questioning the Mayor’s leadership because you weren’t selected seems unnecessary”
“If you want to tear the council down publicly in particular the mayor then open your comments to public scrutiny to be transparent”
“He always turns off commenting on his posts too”
- What do you think ? Are these 3 posts the right way to bring up your personal thoughts as a sitting councillor ?
Posted: 15 Sep 2026