If you’ve spent much time in Palmerston North, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Mayor Grant Smith, whether it’s at a community event, on the side-lines of a game, or chatting with locals who care deeply about their city.
Grant is Palmerston North’s 29th Mayor, first joining Council in 2013 before being elected Mayor in 2015. Now in his fifth term, he’s become one of New Zealand’s most experienced city leaders, but he’ll be the first to tell you the role is all about people.
“The best thing about the job is the people,” Grant says. “You cannot beat the passion of Palmy people.”
Before becoming Mayor, Grant spent more than 25 years in advertising and marketing, including running his own agency and working with international companies. Along the way, he helped deliver major sporting and cultural events and served on a number of national boards across business, sport, and the arts.
As Mayor, Grant is a big supporter of the many industries and business sectors that make Palmerston North such a unique place, from innovation and education, to food research, agribusiness, logistics, defence, healthcare, and major events.
He’s also a strong believer in keeping Palmerston North connected to the world. Grant currently serves as national president of Global Cities New Zealand, supporting sister city relationships with partners in Guiyang and Kunshan in China, Mihara in Japan, and Missoula, Montana, in the United States, as well as strategic connections in Vietnam and the Netherlands.
But outside the busy schedule, Grant is very much an everyday Kiwi at heart.
He enjoys spending time outdoors keeping his home and lifestyle block in shape, mowing lawns, tending the gardens, looking after the paddocks, and taking care of the stock. Family time is also hugely important to him and wife Michelle, especially now that his whole family is back in Palmerston North after a few years of children living overseas and around New Zealand.
And if there’s sport on, Mayor Grant will be watching.
A self-confessed “total sports nut,” he proudly backs all Palmy or affiliated Manawatū teams, especially the Turbos, Jets, Panthers, Stags, Pulse, Hurricanes, and of course, any team wearing the Silver Fern, including the All Blacks.
One fun fact many people don’t know? Grant is also a bit of a heritage nerd, with a real love of museums and local history.
Alongside being Mayor, he’s a practising Justice of the Peace, serves on the Local Government New Zealand National Council, and is their Metro City Sector Chair.
At the end of the day, Grant’s focus is simple - leading and supporting Palmerston North and the people who make it such a great place to call home.