Palmerston North City Council
The Palmerston North City Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 15 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the city). 13 councillors will be elected from the Te Hirawanui ward. 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 election.
Palmerston North City Council candidates
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Eldhose Poovathumveettil Mathew
Independent
William George Wood
Atif Rahim
Nelson Harper
Independent
Leonie Hapeta
Adrian Phillips
Karen Naylor
Independent
Glen Williams
ACT Local
Lew Findlay
Independent
Jackie Wheeler
Independent
Caleb Riddick
Independent
Dave Poppelwell
Independent
Michael Paul Strachan
Orphée Mickalad
Independent
Mark Arnott
Verne Wilson
Independent
Richard Woolgar
Independent
Jeremy Craig Hoskins
Jack Koh
Wajeha Akbaryan
Independent
Lorna Johnson
Labour
Kayne John Dunlop
Zulfiqar Butt
Labour
Melanie Butler
Independent
Dave Salisbury
Independent
Kaydee Jean Zabelin
Green Party
Vaughan Dennison
Independent
Cameron Jenkins
Independent
Rachel Bowen
Billy Meehan
Independent
Tobias Wilson Nash
Hayden Fitzgerald
Independent
Quintin McGregor
Zakk Rokkanno
Independent
Brent Barrett
Green Party
Eric Judd
Independent
Mark Gunning
Independent
William George Wood
Why I'm standing
I will not complain about a problem without putting my hand up to do something about it. I am hard working, innovative, and sensible when it comes to finding solutions to council's problems. I want Palmerston North to be the city not that people never leave, but the city they come back to when they want to start their career, business, or family, by making our city as affordable as it can be.
About me
I do not just sit back. I have moved or seconded over 35 recommendations to reduce council operational and capital spending increases. I am diligent, going through our budgets line by line to make sure we get the absolute best for our ratepayers. I am fiercely local, have experience in commercial real estate, as well as having spent the last three years working for a local charity, meaning I know how important it is to respect every dollar.
My priorities
- Increase road and footpath maintenance through reprioritisation of council spending elsewhere.
- Enable development by reducing council regulations and investing where needed to support growth.
- Continue to scrutinise council spending to make sure ratepayer money is used effectively.
Get across the policies, candidates and parties
Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2025 local elections. Compare the candidates and policies to see where you stand.
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