Track Record
Below are records of how the Mayor and Councillors voted on a sample of projects in the last term. This is an explanation of how voting records were assessed to reach an influence on debt score:
We selected a number of Council Projects and requested LGOIMA’s (the name for Council OIA’s) for how Councillors and the Mayor voted on these projects.
The information we have presented is a sample of votes taken on projects in the last term.
The NPDC only records votes at Council meetings if there is a division on a vote (when the Councillors don’t all say yes).
Council minutes do not have information about what Councillors voted on – there are no words in the minutes with detail – just that a division took place and who voted for and against – and the project topic.
To find information about what Councillors voted on, the relevant agenda needs to be found, and read, about discussions that were due in “this” meeting. This may not have the detail of what the division votes were about.
Occasionally they do list a project in minutes that the entire group of Councillors voted yes to – but this is not common.
We specifically asked for votes on 11 key projects. While trying to make sense of the LGOIMA answers, we found 2 other big projects where a vote took place.
So, in this project sample, Councillors are assessed on up to 13 votes that took place.
The original votes from some of these projects were held in 2020 – before the track record of new Candidates from 2022 applied.
Councillors in a second term from 2022 have more projects included in their total as their votes go back to 2020 (for projects that are still running in 2025).
So,
· We added up how many projects a Councillor voted Yes to or No to.
· We did not count votes for a project if a Councillor was Absent or Abstained.
· The lowest number of Total Projects assessed for a Councillor was 8, the highest number was 13.
· We applied a percentage of Yes votes each Councillor made against the total number of projects.
The percentage is applied as the influence on debt.
The Mayor and 14 Councillors are listed from the lowest number of Yes votes (influence on debt), followed by the lowest expenses, in the order of the lowest percentage first to the highest percentage last.
Councillor Murray Chong
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
- 2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2021 - Water Meters
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
- Devon Street West Cycleway
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
$1.4M Steps Substantive Vote
2020 Maori Wards
2024 - Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 53.8% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $4,452.13 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $548.18 |
How they featured in our stories:
Petition Against Devon Street Cycleway
Waitara Coastal Walkway - Yeah Right !
Councillor Max Brough
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
2024 - Sports Hub
Abstained - Updated Procurement Strategy
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
- Devon Street West Cycleway
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 62.5% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $0 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $0 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes Audit - On Finance Committe
Rates Cap - Opinion Piece
Petition Against Devon Street Cycleway
Councillor Te Waka McLeod
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
Devon Street West Cycleway
Absent -$1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
Absent - Local Water Done Well
Projects they said NO to:
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 75.0% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $4,968.54 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $3,548.70 |
How they featured in our stories:
None
Councillor Tony Bedford
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
2020 - Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Absent - Updated Procurement Strategy
Projects they said NO to:
- Devon Street West Cycleway
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 75.0% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $4,482.74 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $6,910.10 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes Audit - On Finance Committe
Councillor David Bublitz
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4 M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 - Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
2024 - Sports Hub
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
- Devon Street West Cycleway
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 76.9% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $2,863.24 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $0 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes Audit - On Finance Committe
Sports Hub Blessing - A happy Deputy Mayor
Sports Hub - Game Changer
Council could run better if people were taxed more - Opinion Piece
Councillor Gordon Brown
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
$1.4 M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 - Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
2024 - Sports Hub
Absent - Devon Street West Cycleway
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
- Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 83.3% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $4,916.07 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $0 |
How they featured in our stories:
None
Councillor Dinnie Moeahu
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 - Maori Wards
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
- 2021 Water Meters
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 84.6% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $5,192.41 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: |
$13,322.76** |
| ** Travel for Dinnie is from Opunake as he does not live in New Plymouth |
How they featured in our stories:
None
Councillor Bryan Vickery
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
$1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
Projects they said NO to:
- Local Water Done Well CCO
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 90.0% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $3,561.90 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $0 |
How they featured in our stories:
Water Meters - User Pays is Fairer
Should Councillors Pay Go Up ?
Councillor Sam Bennett
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
Absent - $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
Projects they said NO to:
- Devon Street West Cycleway
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 91.7% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $6,473.43 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $1,809.45 |
How they featured in our stories:
Limiting time on Facebook before the election - to stay safe
$1.2 M Steps or $3.5 M Steps - The tyranny of the majority theory
Councillor Harry Duynhoven
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
Projects they said NO to:
- 2024 - Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 92.3% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $4,482.74 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $2,010.23 |
How they featured in our stories:
None
Councillor Anneke Carlson Matthews
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
Projects they said NO to:
- 2024 - Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 92.3% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $5,584.55 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $2,110.48 |
How they featured in our stories:
Len Lye - Is there a conflict of Interest with John Matthews being so heavily involved in the project ?
Councillor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
Projects they said NO to:
- 2024 - Sports Hub
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 92.3% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $15,946.65 |
| Includes "other" category with no detail of: | $10,000.00 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $790.40 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes - on Finance Committee
Councillor Bali Haque
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
$1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
Projects they said NO to:
- None in this sample of projects.
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 100% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $1,178.57 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $214.14 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes Audit - On Finance Committe
Councillor Marie Pearce
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2020 Maori Wards
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
2024 - Sports Hub
Absent - Reduce $11.4 M City Centre Costs
Projects they said NO to:
- None in this sample of projects
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 100% |
| Expenses Claimed this term: | $3,122.20 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $1,095.60 |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloittes Audit - On Finance Committe
Mayor Neil Holdom
HOW THEY VOTED
Projects they said YES to:
- The Vision for $4M Environment Centre
2021 - Adopt the Strategy for the City Centre Masterplan
- Consultation on Waitara Spatial Plan
- Waitara Walkway
- Strandon Road Project - Cost and Design
Updated Procurement Strategy
2021 Water Meters
Local Water Done Well CCO
Devon Street West Cycleway
Keep $11.4 M City Centre Costs
2024 - Sports Hub
Absent - $1.4M Fitzroy Steps Substantive Vote
Abstained - 2020 Maori Wards
Projects they said NO to:
- None in this sample of projects.
| Percent of YES votes influencing Debt | 100% |
| Expenses | $ 12,442.98 |
| Includes "other" category with no detail of: | $7,100.00 |
| Mileage Claimed this term: | $19,000.00** |
| ** Mileage here covers the vehicle costs as part of the employment package, |
How they featured in our stories:
Deloitte's Story - On Finance Committee
Whanganui 2.2% rates increase - put up rates or borrow more
LGNZ stories 1 & 2 - Provincial Sector Chair for LGNZ
Online shopping story
Huatoki Plaza launch on personal Facebook page - dates brought forward
Wrote to about lack of public meetings for Local Water Done Well Consultation
Signed LGFA funding contract for New Plymouth
Signed up to Global Covenant of Mayors
Taxpayers Union Story listed as an unpopular NZ Mayor
Hikoi Protest in Wellington - against Treaty Principles Bill
Community Board Expenses
Below are the expenses that were paid for elected Community Board members over the last term.
Two mileage claims from two board members are much higher than the average claims and are highlighted in pink. An explanation of these higher claims is not provided by the NPDC.
