2025 New Plymouth District Council election

2025 New Plymouth District Council election
11 October 2025
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Max Brough David Bublitz Sarah Lucas
Affiliation Independent Independent Independent
Final vote 13,984 6,286 5,763
Mayor before election

Neil Holdom
Independent

Elected mayor

Max Brough
Independent

Council election
14 seats on the New Plymouth District Council
8 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent

13 −1
ACT Local

1 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

The 2025 New Plymouth District Council election was a local election held from 9 September to 11 October in the New Plymouth District of New Zealand, as part of that year's territorial authority elections and other local elections held nation-wide.

Voters elected the mayor of New Plymouth, 14 district councillors, and other local representatives for the 2025–2028 term of the New Plymouth District Council. Postal voting and the single transferable voting system were used.

Councillor Max Brough won the mayoralty in a landslide, with incumbent mayor Neil Holdom not having stood for re-election.

The council introduced a Māori ward at the 2022 election; in a referendum on its future held at this election (as part of a nation-wide series of referendums) voters elected to remove the Māori ward for future elections.

Key dates

  • 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates opened
  • 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates closed at 12 pm
  • 9 September 2025: Voting documents were posted and voting opened
  • 11 October 2025: Voting closed at 12 pm and progress/preliminary results were published
  • 16–19 October 2025: Final results were declared.[1][2][3]

Background

Positions up for election

Voters in the district elected the mayor of New Plymouth, 14 councillors from 5 wards, and the members of five community boards (Clifton, Inglewood, Kaitake, Puketapu-Bell Block, and Waitara).[2] They also elected members of the Taranaki Regional Council.[a][4]

Campaign

List of candidates

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Mayor

Candidate[10] Affiliation[b] Notes
Sam Bennett Independent Previously ran for the mayoralty in 2022. Incumbent councillor for the at-large ward.[12][13] Also ran for re-election as a councillor.
Max Brough Independent Incumbent at-large councillor.[13] Previously ran for the mayoralty in 2019.[14]
David Bublitz Independent Incumbent deputy mayor and Kaitake-Ngāmotu general ward councillor.[13][15] Also ran to be a councillor for the at-large ward.
Graham Chard None Incumbent chair of the Kaitake Community Board.[16] Also ran to be a councillor for the Kaitake Ngāmotu ward.
Sarah Lucas None Inglewood community board member.[17] Also ran to be a councillor for the Kōhanga Moa general ward.
Greg Mackay None Previously ran for the mayoralty in 2019 and 2022.[18] Also ran as a councillor in the at-large ward.
Peter Marra None Also ran as a councillor in the Kaitake-Ngāmotu general ward
Bill Simpson None Also ran to be a councillor for the North general ward
John Woodward Independent Former police officer. Also ran to be a councillor for the at-large ward.[19]

Withdrawn

  • Murray Chong, incumbent councillor for the Kaitake-Ngāmotu ward,[13] had indicated in May that he would run for the mayoralty,[20] but instead just ran for re-election as a councillor.[21]
  • Murray "Mullet Muzz" McDowell, had previously indicated that he would run for the mayoralty,[12] but instead just ran to be elected as a councillor for the Kaitake-Ngāmotu ward.[21]

Councillors

Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori ward

Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori ward returned one councillor to the district council.[2]

Candidate[22][10] Affiliation[b] Notes
Te Waka McLeod None Incumbent councillor since 2022[23]
Peter Moeahu None Taranaki iwi representative and father of councillor Dinnie Moeahu[24][23]

Kaitake-Ngāmotu general ward

Kaitake-Ngāmotu general ward returned six councillors to the district council.[2]

Candidate[22][10] Affiliation[b] Notes
EJ Barrett None Disabilities advocate[21]
Gordon Brown Independent Incumbent councillor since 2013,[13] and former journalist.[21] Ran again after initially indicating that he would not run for re-election.[5][25][26][21]
Peter Buis None
Graham Chard None Incumbent chair of the Kaitake Community Board.[16] Also ran for mayor.[21]
Ewen Darling None
Damon Fox ACT Local Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) clinician[27]
Moira Irving George None Former Taranaki Regional councillor[28]
Ross Johnston None
Lani Mackie-Hunt None [21]
Peter Marra None Also ran for mayor
Mullet Muzz McDowell None Former truck and trailor operator. Previously ran for the mayoralty in 2022.[12][21]
Michael Morresey None Known as the "Flag Man". Chairperson of Hope Walk New Plymouth/Taranaki Charitable Trust.[21]
Michael Paul O'Sullivan Independent
David Payne None
Adrian Sole None
Craig Tonkin None
Nikki Truman None
Bryan Vickery None Incumbent councillor,[13] and former broadcaster[21]
Kerry Vosseler None Former owner of Chaos Cafe[21]

Kōhanga Moa general ward

Kōhanga Moa general ward returned one councillor to the district council.[2]

Candidate[22][10] Affiliation[b] Notes
Jeremy Brooking None
Christine Fabish None Incumbent chairperson of the Inglewood community board[16]
Sarah Lucas None Incumbent member of the Inglewood community board.[16] Also ran for mayor.

North general ward

North general ward returned one councillor to the district council.[2]

Candidate[22][10] Affiliation[b] Notes
Gina Alicia Blackburn None
Ian Cummings Independent
Dayna Brent Jury None
Jonathan Marshall Independent Incumbent chair of the Waitara community board[16]
Jane Parker-Bishop None Incumbent deputy chairperson of the Waitara community board[16]
Bill Simpson None Previously ran for council in 2022.[29] Also ran for mayor.

At-large ward

Five councillors were elected at-large to the district council.[2]

Candidate[22][10] Affiliation[b] Notes
Sam Bennett Independent Incumbent councillor.[13] Also ran for mayor.[12]
David Bublitz Independent Incumbent deputy mayor and councillor.[13] Also ran for mayor.
Simon Chadwick None
Murray Chong None Incumbent councillor.[13]
Shaun Clare None
Amanda Clinton-Gohdes None Incumbent councillor[13]
Mark Coster Independent
Steve Francis None
Teresa Goodin None
Tina Koch None
Debbie Hancock Independent
Nigel Jones None
Greg Mackay None Also ran for mayor
Dinnie Moeahu None Incumbent councillor[13]
Sarah Sutherland None
Wayne Williamson None
John Woodward Independent Former police officer. Also ran for mayor[19]

Results

Summary

Ward Previous Elected
Mayor Neil HoldomR Max Brough
At-large ward Sam Bennett Murray Chong
Max Brough David Bublitz
Amanda Clinton-Gohdes John Woodward
Harry DuynhovenR Sam Bennet
Dinnie Moeahu Dinnie Moeahu
Kaitake-Ngāmotu General Ward David Bublitz Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown Graham Chard
Anneka Carlson MatthewsR Moira Irving George
Murray Chong Damon Fox
Bali HaqueR Kerry Vosseler
Bryan Vickery EJ Barrett
Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa (Māori Ward) Te Waka McLeod Te Waka McLeod
Kōhanga Moa General Ward Marie PearceR Christine Fabish
North Ward Tony BedfordR Gina Blackburn
R – an incumbent who did not run for re-election

Mayor

2025 New Plymouth mayoral election[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote Final %
Independent Max Brough not provided #7 13,984 53.70
Independent David Bublitz #7 6,296 24.18
Independent Sarah Lucas #7 5,763 22.13
Independent Sam Bennett #6 2,676
Independent John Woodward #5 1,978
Independent Graham Chard #4 1,496
Independent Peter Marra #3 837
Independent Greg Mackay #2 395
Independent Bill Simpson 287 1.00 #1 287
Quota 14,108 49.29 #7 13,022 50.00
Informal 61 0.21
Blank 348 1.22
Turnout 28,625
Registered
Independent gain from Independent on 7th iteration

At-large ward

At-large ward[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[c]
Independent Murray Chong† 9,566 33.42 #1 9,566
Independent David Bublitz† 4,743 16.57 #1 4,743
Independent John Woodward not provided #22 4,702
Independent Sam Bennett† #23 4,183
Independent Dinnie Moeahu† #27 3,915
Independent Amanda Clinton-Gohdes† #27 3,781
Independent Mark Coster #21 1,893
Independent Simon Chadwick #20 1,210
Independent Teresa Goodin #19 1,101
Independent Debbie Hancock #17 911
Independent Greg Mackay #15 850
Independent Sarah Sutherland #11 762
Independent Steve Francis #9 589
Independent Shaun Clare #8 519
Independent Tina Koch #6 374
Independent Wayne Williamson #5 354
Independent Nigel Jones #3 122
Quota 4,627 16.16 #27 3,902
Informal 329 1.15
Blank 533 1.86
Turnout 28,625
Registered
Independent hold on 1st iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 1st iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 22nd iteration
Independent hold 23rd iteration
Independent hold 27th iteration
† incumbent

Kaitāke-Ngāmotu general ward

Kaitake-Ngāmotu general ward[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[c]
Independent Gordon Brown† 2,832 13.96 #1 2,832
Independent Graham Chard not provided #10 2,523
Independent Moira Irving George #18 2,555
ACT Local Damon Fox #18 2,480
Independent Kerry Vosseler #19 2,390
Independent EJ Barrett #21 2,365
Independent Bryan Vickery† #21 2,160
Independent Adrian Sole #17 1,394
Independent Peter Marra #16 779
Independent Ewen Darling #15 681
Independent Ross Johnston #13 634
Independent Nikki Truman #11 544
Independent Mullet McDowell #9 478
Independent Pete Buis #8 442
Independent Lani Mackie-Hunt #7 385
Independent David Payne #6 341
Independent Craig Tonkin #5 224
Independent Michael O'Sullivan #4 213
Independent Mike Morresey #2 117
Quota 2,535 12.50 #21 2,347
Informal 1,296 6.39
Blank 1,247 6.15
Turnout 20,286
Registered
Independent hold on 1st iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 10th iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 18th iteration
ACT Local gain from Independent on 18th iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 19th iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 21st iteration
† incumbent

Kōhanga Moa general ward

Kōhanga Moa general ward[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[c]
Independent Christine Fabish not provided #2 1,542
Independent Sarah Lucas #2 1,422
Independent Adrian Sole 501 14.17 #1 501
Quota 1,595 45.12 #2 1,482
Informal 19 0.54
Blank 327 9.25
Turnout 3,535
Registered
Independent gain from Independent on 2nd iteration

North general ward

North general ward[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote
Independent Gina Blackburn not provided #5 1,115
Independent Ian Cummings #5 918
Independent Jonathan Marshall #4 719
Independent Dayna Jury #3 548
Independent Jane Parker-Bishop #2 337
Independent Bill Simpson 145 4.72 #1 145
Quota 1,434 46.66 #5 1,017
Informal 16 0.52
Blank 190 6.18
Turnout 3,073
Registered
Independent gain from Independent on 5th iteration

Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori ward

Te Purutanga Mauri Pūmanawa Māori ward[30]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote %
Independent Te Waka McLeod† 1,116 64.47
Independent Peter Moeahu 545 31.48
Quota 831 48.01
Informal 8 0.46
Blank 62 3.58
Turnout 1,731
Registered
Independent hold on 1st iteration
† incumbent

Māori Ward Poll

ChoiceVotes%
I vote to REMOVE the Māori ward15,00455.47
I vote to KEEP the Māori ward12,04644.53
Total27,050100.00
Valid votes27,05094.50
Invalid/blank votes1,5755.50
Total votes28,625100.00
Source: [31]

Notes

  1. ^
    • 5 members from the district in the New Plymouth general constituency
    • 2 members from the district in the North Taranaki general constituency
    • 1 member partially from the district in the Taranaki Māori constituency.
  2. ^ a b c d e f A candidate may leave their affiliation blank, run as an independent, or run with an affiliation to an organisation, local body ticket or political party. New Plymouth District Council does not allow election slogans to be used for the affiliation.[11]
  3. ^ a b c Rounded to whole number

References

  1. ^ "TIMETABLE | WĀTAKA" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "FACT SHEET | WHĀRANGI MEKA" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Elections timeline". www.trc.govt.nz. Taranaki Regional Council. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  4. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – local elections". www.trc.govt.nz. Taranaki Regional Council. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e McLean, Glenn (29 April 2025). "List of councillors not standing grows around NPDC table". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  6. ^ Groenestein, Catherine (21 October 2019). "New councillor wins seat on New Plymouth District Council by a three-vote margin". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  7. ^ McLean, Glenn (16 July 2025). "Harry Duynhoven calls time on political career". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  8. ^ McLean, Glenn (30 July 2025). "New Plymouth mayor to retire from politics in October". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  9. ^ Harvey, Helen (31 December 2024). "Recognition for a small town's champion". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.(subscription required)
  10. ^ a b c d e f "NOTICE OF DAY OF ELECTION AND POLL FOR THE NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  11. ^ "2025 CANDIDATE INFORMATION HANDBOOK" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. p. 13. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Johnston, Will (1 March 2025). "Bennett first to put hand up for New Plymouth mayoralty". Taranaki Daily News. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Mayor and councillors". www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  14. ^ McLean, Glenn (28 June 2025). "Brough makes second bid for New Plymouth mayoralty". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  15. ^ McLean, Glenn (1 August 2025). "Bublitz grabs at chance to move up from being deputy". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Community board members". www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  17. ^ McLean, Glenn (20 June 2025). "Add the name Sarah Lucas to the New Plymouth mayoralty race". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  18. ^ "No female candidate for New Plymouth mayoral elections". RNZ. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  19. ^ a b McLean, Glenn (20 June 2025). "Mayoral candidate wants better council communication". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  20. ^ MacLean, Glenn (14 May 2025). "Another crack at New Plymouth mayoralty for Murray Chong". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Martin, Robin (4 August 2025). "Colourful characters go head-to-head for seat on New Plymouth council". RNZ. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  22. ^ a b c d e "Candidates". www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  23. ^ a b Ashworth, Craig (6 July 2025). "Shaky seat to vote future vs history". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  24. ^ McLean, Glenn. "Moeahu Sr to stand for New Plymouth council". The Post. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  25. ^ Martin, Robin (8 October 2024). "Taranaki 'unitary council' a 'no-brainer', councillor says". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  26. ^ McLean, Glenn (2 August 2025). "NPDC nominations close: Brown has late change of heart". Taranaki Daily News. The Post. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
  27. ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Addictions Clinician, Damon Fox, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For New Plymouth District Council Election". www.scoop.co.nz. Scoop. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  28. ^ George, Moira (9 July 2025). ""Stay In Your Lane," Says NPDC Candidate Moira George" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  29. ^ Smith, Blanton (7 October 2022). "The council candidate who can't vote for himself". Stuff. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  30. ^ a b c d e f "LGE2025 - Final" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  31. ^ "LGE2025 – Final" (PDF). www.npdc.govt.nz. New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
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