NZ Local Elections 2025

Mayor of Palmerston North

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the city and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Palmerston North City Council mayoral election.

Candidates

Policies

Explore the candidates in your area

Grant Smith

Grant Smith

Independent

Orphée Mickalad

Orphée Mickalad

Independent

Michael Morris

Michael Morris

Caleb Riddick

Caleb Riddick

Independent

Orphée Mickalad

Independent

| City Councillor

Orphée Mickalad

Independent

| City Councillor

Why I'm standing

Over the last two terms, I've been privileged to serve you as a city councillor. I am running for mayor because I believe that Palmerston North is at a turning point, and we need a change of leadership, direction and approach. With the cost of living biting hard, Palmerston North is becoming increasingly unaffordable for families, businesses and residents on fixed incomes. I believe more needs to be done to ease the burden on ratepayers.

About me

I have been privileged to represent our community as a city councillor for the past two terms. I have worked as a parliamentary staffer, as well as an adviser at the Ministry of Education. My experience in public service gives me skills in governance, relationship building, policy analysis and project management. This stands me in good stead to continue to add value to our city's local government and lead our stunning city forward.

My priorities
  1. Review council's spending priorities and deliver value-for-money for ratepayers.
  2. Introduce targeted user pays for non-essential services to reduce cost pressures on ratepayers.
  3. Sell underused council assets and some airport shares to pay off debt and reinvest in key infrastructure.
Current role

City Councillor

Residence

Kelvin Grove

Age

35

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Why I'm standing

Over the last two terms, I've been privileged to serve you as a city councillor. I am running for mayor because I believe that Palmerston North is at a turning point, and we need a change of leadership, direction and approach. With the cost of living biting hard, Palmerston North is becoming increasingly unaffordable for families, businesses and residents on fixed incomes. I believe more needs to be done to ease the burden on ratepayers.

About me

I have been privileged to represent our community as a city councillor for the past two terms. I have worked as a parliamentary staffer, as well as an adviser at the Ministry of Education. My experience in public service gives me skills in governance, relationship building, policy analysis and project management. This stands me in good stead to continue to add value to our city's local government and lead our stunning city forward.

My priorities
  1. Review council's spending priorities and deliver value-for-money for ratepayers.
  2. Introduce targeted user pays for non-essential services to reduce cost pressures on ratepayers.
  3. Sell underused council assets and some airport shares to pay off debt and reinvest in key infrastructure.
Current role

City Councillor

Residence

Kelvin Grove

Age

35

Connect via

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