Register of members’ pecuniary interests

Overview

Read a summary of elected members' financial, business and personal interests.

This register of pecuniary interests is published pursuant to section 54A of the Local Government Act 2022

The Act requires Palmerston North City Council to publish a summary of elected members’ financial, business and personal interests including certain assets, business associations and gifts they have received annually. The summaries are an individual snapshot of members’ interests for the previous 12 months.

In addition to the register, elected members may make a declaration of any interest or conflicts during a meeting according to the requirements of Local Authorities (Members' Interests) Act 1968

These are recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Why have a Register of members’ interests?

The purpose of the Register of members’ pecuniary interests is to record members’ interests so as to provide transparency and to strengthen public trust and confidence in Council processes and decision-making. The summary is published as the Register of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Palmerston North City Council Elected Members.

How the Register works

Elected members are provided a declaration form to complete annually, once returned to Council officers a summary of the information is collated and published on our website. This Register summarises the information provided by elected members’ in their annual declarations in relation to the requirements of the Act which includes the following:

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest (section 54E(1)(a));
  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities (sections 54E(1)(b) and (2));
  3. Employment (section 54E(1)(c));
  4. Interests in trusts (section 54E(1)(d));
  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding (section 54E(1)(e));
  6. Organisations appointed to by virtue of being an Elected Member (section 54E(1)(f));
  7. Real property (section 54E(1)(g) and (1)(h));
  8. Overseas travel (section 54F(1)(a));
  9. Gifts (section 54F(1)(b));
  10. Payments for activities (section 54F(1)(c)).

2025 - Register of members pecuniary interests

Grant Smith

Position: Mayor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests 
    HuntSmith and Co Limited – business administration

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Nil declared

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Accelerate 25 Lead Team (Horizons)

    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    Climate Action Joint Committee (Horizons)
    Electoral College (CEDA)
    Regional Transport Committee (Horizons)
    Manawatū River Accord (Horizons)
    Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (Horizons)
    Manawatū-Whanganui Mayoral Forum (Horizons)
    Nature Calls Adaptive Management Steering Group
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3) 
    Palmerston North City Housing Steering Group
    Palmerston North Performing Arts Trust
    Palmerston North Public Transport Services Advisory Group (Horizons)
    Streets for People Steering Group
    Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge Governance Group (Horizons)
    National President for Global Cities NZ Inc.

  7. Real property
    Family home, Turitea, Palmerston North
    Holiday home, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga
    Commercial property, Palmerston North Central

  8. Overseas travel
    Travel to Taiwan for the Smart City Conference, paid for by Taipei Computer Association

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Debra Marshall-Lobb

Position: Deputy Mayor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests   
    Manawa2 Limited – Childcare Services 

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities    
    Nil declared

  3. Employment 
    Teacher, Palmerston North Boys’ High School 

  4. Interests in trusts 
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding 
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments 
    Regional Leadership Group (Ministry of Social Development)
    Te Motu o Poutoa Project Steering Group

  7. Real property 
    Family home, Awapuni, Palmerston North
    Rental property, Awapuni, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel 
    Travel to China to promote International Education Exchange for secondary and primary school students. Contributors to travel:
    • Wendy Jochem, Director of World Class Education (travel and accommodation)
    • Palmerston North Boys' High School
    • Palmerston North Girls' High School (travel)
    • Awatapu High School (travel)
    • Queen Elizabeth High School (travel)
  9. Gifts 
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities 
    Nil declared

Mark Arnott

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests  
    e-pics Photo and Digital Limited – tape, film transfer, archival scanning services

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Self employed, e-pics Photo and Digital Limited

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Anzac Day and Armistice Day Organising Committee
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Hockey Turf Steering Group
    Palmerston North Defence Heritage Advisory Group

  7. Real property
    Family home, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North  

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Brent Barrett

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests 
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities   
    Renu Energy Limited – Energy
    1414 Degrees Limited – Energy
    MPower Group Limited – Energy
    AoFrio Limited – Engineering & Automation
    Wide Open Agriculture Limited – Farming
    PaySauce Limited – Business Services
    Comvita Limited – Health Products

  3. Employment
    Scientist, AgResearch Limited 

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Horizons Regional Council Passenger Transport Committee

  7. Real property
    Family home, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Travel to Japan for science conference, paid by research grant from NZ Government via the Global Research Alliance

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Rachel Bowen

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Engagement lead, WorkSafe New Zealand

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    Creative Communities Grant Selection Committee (Chair)
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3)
    Streets for People Steering Group
    Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Trust

  7. Real property
    Family home, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North 
    Rental property, Roslyn, Palmerston North
    Rental property, Highbury, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Vaughan Dennison

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests
    Social Impact Property Limited – property acquisition and services
    Dennison Rogers-Dennison Partnership – property services
    Puhi Ariki Limited – property aquisition and services

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Housing provider, Homes for People Trust 

  4. Interests in trusts
    Dennison Family Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Manawatu Softball Association – sports
    Softball New Zealand – sports
    Camp Rangi Woods – community camp facility
    Diamonds in the Community – sports and community

  6. Council appointments
    Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Disaster Relief Fund Trust
     
  7. Real property
    Family home, Highbury, Palmerston North (social impact property)
    Rental property (x2) Roslyn, Palmerston North 
    Rental property, Cloverlea, Palmerston North 
    Rental property, Westbrook, Palmerston North
    Investment property, Omori, Taupō
    Social impact property, Highbury, Palmerston North
    Social impact property (x3) Takaro, Palmerston North
    Social impact property (x3) Roslyn, Palmerston North 
    Social impact property, Feilding, Manawatū
    Social impact property, Levin, Horohwhenua
    Social impact property, Whanganui

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Lew Findlay

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Palmerston North Street Van

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Grey Power Manawatū Incorporated – advocacy group 

  6. Council appointments
    Age Friendly Palmerston North
    Older Persons Reference Group

  7. Real property
    Family home, Milson, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Roly Fitzgerald

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Rangitāne O Manawatū Kaitiaki Limited – asset holding company
    Turanga-I-Mua Propeties Limited – residential property investments

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust

  3. Employment
    Te Tihi o Ruahine Whānau Ora Alliance – project manager

  4. Interests in trusts
    Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust
    Rihi Nehua Ruwhiu Whanau Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Nil declared

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Patrick Handcock

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Nil declared

  4. Interests in trusts
    PJ & LG Handcock Family Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Nil declared

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Leonie Hapeta

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Fast Forward Group Limited t/a Aberdeen Restaurant – business consulting

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Fast Forward Group Limited t/a Aberdeen Restaurant – business consulting

  4. Interests in trusts
    Hapeta Family Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Moneywise Manawatu - budgeting services

  6. Council appointments
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Joint Steering Group with Manawatū

  7. Real property
    Family home, Terrace End, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Lorna Johnson

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Square Edge Community Arts Board Palmerston North – ceased November 2024

  7. Real property
    Family home, Highbury, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Rental income from minor dwelling at family residence

Billy Meehan

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Boxing New Zealand – national body for Olympic Style Boxing

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Grey Power Manawatū Incorporated – advocacy group

  6. Council appointments
    Age Friedly Manawatū
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Hockey Turf Steering Group
    Manawatū Athletes Advisory Committee
    Victoria Esplanade User Group

  7. Real property
    Family home, Takaro

  8. Overseas travel
    Travel and accommodation to Bosnia, Italy, Thailand paid by Boxing New Zealand for competition

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Orphée Mickalad

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Nil declared

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Caccia Birch Community Trust - Trustee
    Manawatū Multicultural Centre Incorporated
    Palmerston North Youth Council
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3 Representative)

  7. Real property
    Nil declared

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Karen Naylor

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Flax Developments Limited – housing development

  3. Employment
    Te Whatu Ora – registered nurse

  4. Interests in trusts
    JM & KE Naylor Family Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Disability Reference Group
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3) 

  7. Real property
    Family home, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North
    Bare section, Fitzherbert, Palmerston North
    Rental property, Kelvin Grove, Palmerston North
    Investment property, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared


William Wood

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Cancer Society Central Districts Division Inc – Marketing

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Hoffman Kiln Trust

  6. Council appointments
    Creative Communities Grant Selection Committee
    Hoffman Kiln Trust
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3)
    Palmerston North Youth Council

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Australia, coordinated NZ Evatt Diplomacy Competition Team, flights and accommodation paid for by UN Youth NZ

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared


Kaydee Zabelin

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 28 February 2025

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Nil declared

  3. Employment
    Nil declared

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Square Edge Community Arts

  6. Council appointments
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Family home, Turitea, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    1 payments for 'Back Issues' article published in the Manawatū Standard.