What do the Candidates Stand For ?
Where do the Mayoral and Councillor Candidates Stand on the Important Issues.
We have contacted all the registered Candidates for the 2025 Election who we could find an e-mail address for.
We have asked questions in a survey on where they stand with the important issues.
This page has those survey results. The replies are displayed in the order we received them, not in alphabetical order.Please tell people about this survey - some of the questions that voters really want answers to - have been answered on this page.
On the top half of this page, to see all the candidates answers, and to see all the questions asked, use the grey button at the bottom of the form, to scroll across the page. You can see 4 candidates at one time, so when you get to the end of the questions at the bottom of the form, scroll across, then scroll back up, to see the next set of candidates answers.
On the bottom half of the page there is a Table View version of the survey replies, where you don't need to scroll, but the words are a little smaller to view.
| Debbie Hancock | Craig Tonkin | Sarah Lucas | Michael O'Sullivan | Ian Cummings | Jeremy Brooking | Murray Chong | Greg MacKay | Ewen Darling | Shaun Clare | Graham Chard | Peter Moeahu | Ross Johnston | Mark Coster | Damon Fox | Kerry Vosseler | Mike Morresey | Christine Fabish | Wayne Williamson | Still to be added | Still to be added | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What do you think is the biggest issue that needs addressing in our district ? | Debt, rates, overspending, nice to haves | Rates and Overspending | Rates | Debt, rates, overspending and Nice to haves | Debt, rates, overspending and nice to haves | Debt | Debt, rates, overspending and nice to haves | Debt, rates, overspending and nice to haves | Debt, rates, overspending, nice to haves, reverse war on cars, helping businesses | Debt, rates, overspending, nice to haves | Overspending | Rates | Debt, rates, overspending, nice to haves due to lack of financial stewardship | Overspending, a forensic audit, more disciplined and accountable spending | Debt, rates, race based policies that divide our community, undermine democracy and Councillors are afraid to address. | Debt, Rates, Overspending, Nice to haves | Overspending | Overspending | Overspending | ||
| Are you affiliated to/ or support a Political Party ? | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | |||
| If Yes, which one ? |
Te Pati Maori | ACT Local | |||||||||||||||||||
| Do you believe the NPDC should remain politically neutral ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | unanswered | Yes | Yes | ||
| What are your top 3 priorities for New Plymouth in the next 3 years ? No. 1 |
Rate hikes | Reduce rates | Get rate increases under control | Reliable infrastructure | Reduce operating costs | Prevention of additional debt | Look into best bang for bucks for projects to reduce liability of high opex costs | DEBT | Restore confidence and reverse resentment people have with the Council | Attend to core infrastructure which has been neglected for years | Tackle rising rates and Council Debt | Infrastructure | Rates cap | Focus on core issues, water, sewerage, rubbish, roading | Get spending under control | Controlling spending | Reducing parking fees/adjusting free parking for older people | To rein in spending and reduce debt | Bring rates back to single figures - close to inflation rate if practical | ||
| What are your top 3 priorities for New Plymouth in the next 3 years ? No. 2 |
Penalties on contractor cost blowouts | Fix wasteful spending | Get homelessness under control | Maintenance of existing assets | Reduce operating costs | Paying off current debt | Make sure our rates rises are some of the lowest in NZ | RATES | Ways for NPDC to find income without dipping in to ratepayers pockets | Reduce debt by purchasing responsibly | Cut wasteful spending and tighten up financial practices | Debt Reduction | Key infrastructure over vanity projects | Put on hold projects like Walkway extension and Sports Hub | Stop the cycle of double digit rates hikes | Reducing debt | Reduce all over spending in all Council projects | Closer look at contracts | Review budgets and LTP to remove wasteful spending | ||
| What are your top 3 priorities for New Plymouth in the next 3 years ? No. 3 |
Reining in debt | Improve infrastructure | Internal efficiencies,, better ways of doing things e.g in-house road maintenance | Keeping our streets, parks and reserves clean and safe | Reduce operating costs | Reducing rates | Get back the trust we have lost by not listening to our ratepayers | Overspending/Contractors | Restore business confidence. Stop war on cars/make parking easier and cheaper | Reduce rates so everyone can live a comfortable life | Redirect focus to ratepayer wellbeing and business vibrancy | PIF dividend growth | Build community trust in Council | Set in concrete a rating system link to rate of inflation | Reject race based division | Core services | Having a rates cap brought in | Concentrate on core infrastructure | Focus on core infrastructure and services | ||
| What are the top 3 skills you bring that will address current issues at the NPDC ? No. 1 |
Listening. Open to constructive discussion. | Business management | I listen and hear which brings people together | Many years experience in infrastructure maintenance | 18 years senior management experience | Extensive IT Skills and qualifications | 28 years of self employed experience | Business Skills | A business head and common sense approach with finance matters | I have a magical power - spotting wasteful spending. Some people around the table don't possess that. | Leadership and management expertise with organizational change and process improvement | Financial scrutiny | Chairing and Treasurer School Boards, Fonterra shareholder council, Lessee Association Committee, Director 2 Co's | An ability to look at responses and solutions with Govt agencies, Iwi, Private sector and community groups. | A deep sense of empathy and obligation to ratepayers/will not compromise for personal gain or a grandiose "legacy" you pay for | Financial acumen | Bring a community first approach to local council | Previous business operator | Operational leadership, management, & change combined with determination to meet commitments & get the job done | ||
| What are the top 3 skills you bring that will address current issues at the NPDC ? No. 2 |
Ex small bus owner so understand outgoings can't exceed income | I get things done, not just talk about it | Walk beside all walks of life from the homeless to Govt Ministers | Proven negotiating skills in business and community environments | 10 years school board experience | Logical analytical thinking | I have always listened to the people with their side of how they are being treated by Council | Finance | Straight shooter/honest.Encourage transparency and open communication | A business mind. Focus on keeping local. Outsourced now due to mismanagement | Ensuring every action taken and every dollar spent contributes to the desired outcome | Teamwork | Financial: 44 years self employed farmer, Sports Club, School & Leesees Assoc, company director | Background in Systems, Process and legislative compliance, relevant to understanding Local Govt Act and RMA | Unwavering courage to challenge race based policies despite personal pressure that may arise | Practicality | Be the voice for my community | Community based | Ability to engage with people at all levels in an honest and frank way - bringing folks in to the conversation | ||
| What are the top 3 skills you bring that will address current issues at the NPDC ? No. 3 |
Care about people being rated out of their homes | Open and honest | I can process and disseminate large amounts of info to make good evidence based decisions | A transparent approach to community engagement | Integrity | Ability to listen to, hear, and act for the people I represent | I'm not afraid to say it how I see it, and challenge this in debate | unanswered | Common sense and practicality around growth and infrastructure. | Not afraid to call a spade a spade. I'm not very PC/I'm real and to the point | Approaching issues analytically and strategically with emotional intelligence | Future focused | Chaired representation comm, Fonterra Shareholder Council, Leesees, School Boards AMINZ mediator | Many years in the Public Service, then a consultant to oil companies. I am a competent strategic thinker and problem solver. | Ability and desire to listen to those I represent/reflect on people most likely to be impacted by my decisions | Neutrality | Making sure all projects are cost effective so there are no budget blowouts | Budget conscious | Patience, respect & consideration to others views and their rights to hold and express them | ||
| When issues are being debated, will you vote NO until you have more information to understand an issue ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Would you challenge other Councillors to encourage them to re-think any entrenched ideas that do not represent the majority of people who live in New Plymouth ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Unanswered | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you believe NPDC should leave LGNZ ? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | unanswered | Yes | ||
| Do you agree we need to reduce the current amount of Debt ? |
Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you support borrowing from the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) ? |
No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Are you aware what the current levels of debt are ? Level of Debt shown for 2025. | $406 M and rising | Yes | $406 M | $407 M | $406 M | Around $430 M | Was $135M nine years ago, has now tripled to $406M | $407 M | $406 M and climbing | $425 M | unanswered | Up to $400M | $406M now. LTP EOY 2025 forecast at $443.34 M | $406 M | Around $400M. (Precise figure unavailable). | $406 M | $405 M | $406 M | $406M now - $440M in 2025 | ||
| Are you aware what the planned levels of debt are for the next 9 years ? Level of Debt shown by 2034. | Not answered | This will change after the election | There is a forecast, then there is a reality | $890 M total liabilities | unanswered | unanswered | Expect $800M+ when CCO water is added (which I voted against) | 10 years is a long way away | Not sure. Whatever it is the current Council will exceed it. | Upwards of a billion | unanswered | Don't know | $770 M non current. $890 M total liabilities | NPDC has announced plans to borrow approx $1 Billion for infrastructure | $891 M | $1 Billion | $170 M | it will increase due to large LTP projects commencing | |||
| Do you think there are too many NON infrastructure projects happening in New Plymouth at this time ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Are you concerned that rates are increasing due to council over spending and inaccurate forecasting ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you support rates increases in line with CPI (Cost of living) ? |
Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you believe the NPDC should honour the NZ Bill of Rights for all citizens ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you agree employment positions should be merit based appointments (as opposed to diversity based) ? |
Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you personally know anyone who is struggling to pay their rates ? |
Yes | Yes | No | Yes | unanswered | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you Support: Maori Wards ? |
No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | unanswered | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | ||
| Do you Support: Co-Governance ? | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | unanswered | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | unanswered | |||
| Do you Support: SNA's (Significant Natural Areas) ? Also known as land grabs of private property. |
No | No | Yes | No | No | unanswered | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | ||
| Do you Support: Removing culture from local bylaws ? | Yes | Yes | Yes & No | Yes | unanswered | unanswered | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | unanswered | Yes | ||
| Do you Support: Unelected people voting when Councillors vote e.g school children, IWI. (As opposed to unelected people providing input on committees). |
No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | ||
| Do you agree all New Zealander’s are equal under the law ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Do you agree that by being a Councillor you represent the whole community, taking an oath to serve ALL residents and ratepayers equally ? |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
