Meet The Candidates
Running for Mayor
Sam Bennett
An invitation sent. Reply is pending .
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Max Brough
An invitation sent. Reply is pending .
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David Bublitz
An invitation sent. Reply is pending
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Graham Chard
An invitation sent. Reply is pending
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Sarah Lucas
Why I’m Standing for Mayor – Sarah Lucas
Rates are going up and continued rises in the double digits are simply unsustainable for our community. I hear it everywhere, people are paying more and they want to know their money is being well spent on things that matter. We need to change how things are done at NPDC.
I’m standing for Mayor because I believe in fair, future-focused leadership that puts people first. I’ve spent years at the grassroots, on the Inglewood Community Board, as Chair of the Community Board Executive, running a small business, working in policy and raising three teenage boys. I know how tight budgets are, and I know how frustrating it is when Council doesn’t seem to listen.
Right now, the big issues I see are:
· Unsustainable rate increases due to past under investment
· Closed communications and lack of open processes
· A lack of transparency and accountability
· Internal processes that are clunky, costly, and surely inefficient
If elected, I’ll focus on getting the basics right: fixing infrastructure, smart spending, better communication, and ensuring we can keep people in their homes, while also taking homelessness and other social issues seriously. I’ll be going line-by-line through operational spending to trim the fat, simplify systems, and get better value from what we already invest.
I won’t just “consult”, I’ll involve people. I’ll keep you informed with plain-language updates, in person and online. And I’ll be honest.
This isn’t about left or right, it’s about fairness, value for money, and making sure our district is fit for the future. I want New Plymouth District to be a place where everyone feels heard, and where smart, transparent leadership puts community ahead of politics.
You can read more at sarahlucas.nz
FB: Sarah Lucas for New Plymouth District Council. (2) Facebook
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Peter Marra
Yet to find contact details. If you know Peter ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
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Greg MacKay
My name is Greg Mackay.
I am Taranaki born and bred and, as a concerned citizen, I am offering my services, as Mayor and Councillor for the district.
I am an Engineer by trade and also have experience as a business owner.
There are several major issues facing this election. The main one I would highlight is our Outrageous DEBT,
It is time our Council revert their attention to our core services and to responsibly reduce spending and expensive projects which only benefit the few.
I believe Council needs to retain ownership and Management of our regional infrastructure and assets and to have our communities involved in a similar vision for sustainable governance.
I hope that you will support me to bring the New Plymouth District forward into a positive position for the future and I look forward to working for you with Honesty, Integrity and Accountability.
Bill Simpson
Yet to find contact details. If you know Bill as him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
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John Woodward
We invited John Woodward to promote himself on our page but he declined the offer.
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Standing as Councillors
Kaitake Ngamotu General Ward
E J Barrett
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Gordon Brown
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Peter Buis
Yet to find contact details. If you know Peter ask him to e-mail us to add his profile.
Graham Chard
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Ewen Darling
Yet to find contact details. If you know Ewen ask him to e-mail us to add his profile.
Damon Fox
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Moira Irving-George
I am standing for council on three key pillars: “Practical solutions, financial prudence and accountability”.
I note that the alliance also has three pillars: Stop big rates increases, stop budget shortfalls and stop the no transparency.
Stop big rates increases aligns with my “practical solutions”. I support a three-year rates cap plus inflation. I want to see a review of the long-term plan. While the plan is typically reviewed three yearly it can in fact be amended at any time.
Stop budget shortfalls aligns with my “financial prudence”. I support that every proposed capital project prior to being included into any long-term plan has fully costed operating and income statements provided. I support having all multimillion-dollar projects independently reviewed prior to being included in the long-term plan. Private enterprise does this as a matter of good practice,
Stop the no transparency aligns with my “accountability”. Let’s develop benchmark reporting reflecting council performance back to ratepayer’s expectations. Quarterly financial reporting of budget to actual expenses with clear please explains. Ratepayer satisfaction surveys, Internal employee job satisfaction. Benchmarks for CEO performance put in place by the councillor employment committee at the time of appointment of any CEO and quarterly reporting back on those benchmarks. Given the CEO is the only employee councillors have any control over, they must make sure there is accountability.
I have been a small business owner for most of my career. I was a Taranaki Regional Councillor from 2004 – 2016. I have served in governance roles within public and private organisations. Our council needs people who can understand the numbers and practice good governance.
But the reality is that to be able to contribute to a strong council going forward I need to get elected first. So, if you identify with this common-sense approach to ensure a financially disciplined and accountable Council, I urge you to vote Moira Irving-George for Council.
Ross Johnston
Yet to find contact details. If you know Ross ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Lani Mackie-Hunt
Yet to find contact details. If you know Lani ask them to e-mail us so we can add their profile.
Peter Marra
Yet to find contact details. If you know Peter as him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Mullet Muzz McDowell
Also known as Mullet Muzza. Yet to find contact details. If you know Mullet Muzz ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Michael Morrisey
I'm proud to call Taranaki home.
We know that as a community that change needs to happen to protect our wider communities. We all come from different backgrounds and there are a lot of complex issues that need to be addressed.
If i am elected as a councillor, my goal is to bring about a practical, community-first centred approach to local government.
How this will happen over the next three years is, Together we can work through the challenges we face daily and bring about equitable outcomes. We are STRONGER TOGETHER rather than standing alone.
If you would like me to represent you and be your voice so you are heard, I will do my best to represent you to the best of my ability.
Regards
Vote for Mike Morresey for Council.
This email has been authorised by Mike Morresey Phone 021 105 5024
Michael O'Sullivan
An invitation sent. Reply is pending.
David Payne
A Vote for Accountability and Smart Growth
Elect David Payne – NPDC Councillor for Kaitake Ngāmotu Ward
I’m David Payne, and I’m standing for NPDC in the Kaitake Ngāmotu Ward to deliver bold change, real accountability, and focused development across our district.
Council must raise income for essential services—but not by overburdening ratepayers and renters. I’ll push for alternative revenue, expand tourism, and revitalise our central city to attract investment and ease the rates burden.
If elected, I will:
· Support Oakura and Omata residents to flourish, with better services and protection from overdevelopment
· Revitalise the central city—cleaner, safer, and more vibrant for business, visitors, and locals
· Promote vibrant suburban shopping areas and support local enterprise
· Advocate for a Special Port Business & Enterprise Zone and an International Airport
· Grow tourism to bring in outside dollars and strengthen the local economy
· Pursue outsourced income to reduce rates dependency
· Appoint a Commercial Manager for the Len Lye Centre and explore privatisation
· Keep the racecourse as public greenspace, not for development
· Reduce Council staffing costs and demand accountability—why hasn’t the Chief Executive resigned over the Rates miscalculations?
· Abandon the Cycleway extension—too costly, too little benefit
· Oppose unplanned urban sprawl and promote smart, efficient growth
· Revisit water management to retain local, in-house Council control over essential services
· Advocate that we withdraw from LGNZ
I stand for honest leadership, financial responsibility, and smart development that serves the people—not the bureaucracy.
Vote David Payne – NPDC Councillor, Kaitake Ngāmotu Ward
Local Control. Smarter Growth. A Better Deal for Ratepayers.
Adrian Sole
An invitation sent. Reply is pending.
Craig Tonkin
We moved to New Plymouth in 1977 when my father started on Radio Taranaki. Having grown up here I moved away to build a career in Sales, marketing and management.
I am married to my wife Melanie and together we raised our son who is now in the NZ Army.
My wife and I moved back home about 3 years ago after running successful businesses and now I manage a local retail store.
I was disappointed at what NP had become. I believe with my business acumen and a good selection of councillors we can turn this town around.
Get Back to Basics (Waste, Water and infrastructure), get spending under control and then we can look forward to other nice to haves.
Follow me on Facebook page.
Nikki Truman
An invitation has been sent. Reply is pending.
Bryan Vickery
Reining in rates is a priority. Clearly some capital projects such as the extension of the Coastal Walkway must be paused, but not scuttled. However, it’s important we don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. We still need to invest in our roads and water infrastructure.
During my first term on council I have been pragmatic and positive. I have pivoted on several issues to better represent ratepayers. I withdrew my support for the cycling separators, and the Tūparikino Active Hub in 2023 when costs escalated. But supported it a year later after it was redesigned at a lower cost. I work well with all councillors, and have proudly supported Councillor Max Brough’s efforts to reduce council waste and his calls for greater transparency.
In the recent Local Water Done Well debate, I voted against a NPDC Water Services CCO, arguing instead for an In-house Business Unit model, as it would cost less.
I am best known for supporting dozens of not for profit groups through my free media platform, including doing lots of free emceeing and interviewing to promote community initiatives. I have also worked alongside retailers and key stakeholders to try and mitigate the rough sleeping problem in the CBD. I am also one of only two councillors during the last triennium that has attended all council meetings.
Kerry Vosseler
I’m Kerry Vosseler, a third generation business owner who built and ran Chaos Café for 20 years with hard work, integrity and financial savvy. As a ratepayer myself, I know the sting of rising rates and the frustration of seeing our money spent on frivolous projects while core needs are sidelined.
I’m running for NPDC to fight for you, the ratepayers. My priorities are clear:
Let’s rein in excesses in spending.
Refocus priorities, maintaining community facilities over flashy, wasteful projects, and restore trust in Council.
With my proven track record of balancing the books and serving our community, I’ll fight for your hard-earned money, serving Ratepayers before political interests
Vote Kerry Vosseler to put Ratepayers first
Your voice for real change
YouTube : Kerry Vosseler for NPDC 2025
Kohanga Moa General Ward
Jeremy Brooking
Yet to find contact details. If you know Jeremy please ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Christine Fabish
An invitation sent. Reply is pending
Sarah Lucas
Rates are going up and continued rises in the double digits are simply unsustainable for our community. I hear it everywhere, people are paying more and they want to know their money is being well spent on things that matter. We need to change how things are done at NPDC.
I’m standing for Mayor because I believe in fair, future-focused leadership that puts people first. I’ve spent years at the grassroots, on the Inglewood Community Board, as Chair of the Community Board Executive, running a small business, working in policy and raising three teenage boys. I know how tight budgets are, and I know how frustrating it is when Council doesn’t seem to listen.
Right now, the big issues I see are:
· Unsustainable rate increases due to past underinvestment
· Closed communications and lack of open processes
· A lack of transparency and accountability
· Internal processes that are clunky, costly, and surely inefficient
If elected, I’ll focus on getting the basics right: fixing infrastructure, smart spending, better communication, and ensuring we can keep people in their homes, while also taking homelessness and other social issues seriously. I’ll be going line-by-line through operational spending to trim the fat, simplify systems, and get better value from what we already invest.
I won’t just “consult”, I’ll involve people. I’ll keep you informed with plain-language updates, in person and online. And I’ll be honest.
This isn’t about left or right, it’s about fairness, value for money, and making sure our district is fit for the future. I want New Plymouth District to be a place where everyone feels heard, and where smart, transparent leadership puts community ahead of politics.
You can read more at Sarah Lucas Website
FB: Sarah Lucas for New Plymouth District Council. (2) Facebook
District Wide Ward
Sam Bennett
An invitation sent. Reply is pending
David Bublitz
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Simon Chadwick
Yet to find contact details. If you know Simon as him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Murray Chong
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Shaun Clare
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Amanda Clinton-Gohdes
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Mark Coster
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Steve Francis
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Teresa Goodin
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Debbie Hancock
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Nigel Jones
Yet to find contact details. If you know Nigel ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Tina Koch
An invitation sent. Reply is pending.
Dinnie Moeahu
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Greg MacKay
My name is Greg Mackay.
I am Taranaki born and bred and, as a concerned citizen, I am offering my services, as Mayor and Councillor for the district.
I am an Engineer by trade and also have experience as a business owner.
There are several major issues facing this election. The main one I would highlight is our Outrageous DEBT,
It is time our Council revert their attention to our core services and to responsibly reduce spending and expensive projects which only benefit the few.
I believe Council needs to retain ownership and Management of our regional infrastructure and assets and to have our communities involved in a similar vision for sustainable governance.
I hope that you will support me to bring the New Plymouth District forward into a positive position for the future and I look forward to working for you with Honesty, Integrity and Accountability.
Sarah Sutherland
Yet to find contact details. If you know Sarah ask her to e-mail us so we can add her profile.
Wayne Williamson
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John Woodward
We invited John Woodward to promote himself on our page but he declined the offer.
North General Ward
Gina Blackburn
Yet to find contact details. If you know Gina please ask her to e-mail us so we can add her profile.
Ian Cummings
Yet to find contact details. If you know Ian please ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Dayna Jury
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Jonathan Marshall
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Jane Parker-Bishop
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Bill Simpson
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Te Purutanga Mauri Pumanawa - Maori Ward
Peter Moeahu
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Te Waka McLeod
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Standing for a Community Board
Kaitake Community Board
Mike Anderson
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Teresa Goodin
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Paul Lobb
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Puketapu Bell Block Community Board
Mike Baker
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Lance Mepham
Yet to find contact details. If you know Lance ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Adrian Sole
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Kim Sowman
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Waitara Community Board
Angie Benn
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Simon Chadwick
Yet to find contact details. If you know Simon please ask him to e-mail us so we can add his profile.
Trevor Dodunski
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Jonathan Marshall
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Dale Michielsen
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Te Waka McLeod
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Jane Parker-Bishop
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Tiri Porter
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Joe Rauner
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Clifton Community Board
Neville Hagenson
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Teresa Hayston
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Tyla Nickson
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Murray Seamark
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Inglewood Community Board
Jeremy Brooking
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Rebecca Dearden
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Christine Fabish
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Donald McIntyre
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Carissa Reynolds
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Greg Robinson
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Michael Self
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