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)).

2026 - Register of members' pecuniary interests

Grant Smith

Position: Mayor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Palmerston North Performing Arts Trust
    Te Motu o Poutoa - Anzac Park Project Group Chair
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group Chair
    Central City Transformation (Streets for People) Steering Group
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    International Partnership Steering Group Chair
    Nature Calls - Adaptive Management Steering Group Chair
    Palmerston North Future Development Strategy Joint Steering Group Chair
    Accelerate 35 Lead Team (Horizons)
    Climate Action Joint Committee (Horizons)
    Regional Transport Committee (Horizons)
    Manawatū River Accord (Horizons)
    Manawatu –Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (Horizons)
    Manawatū- Whanganui Mayoral Forum
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Metro Sector Chair)
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3)
    New Zealand Local Government Association (National Council)
    PN Public Transport Services Advisory Group (Horizons)
    Te Apiti Manawatū Gorge Governance Group (Horizons)
    District Licensing Committee - Appointment Panel
    CEDA Electoral College
    Civic Honours Selection Panel Chair
    National President of Global Cities NZ Inc
    Justice of the Peace

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

  8. Overseas travel
    Travel to Taiwan for the Smart City Conference, paid for by Taipei Computer Association
    Travel to Chengdu, China for the 3rd NZ-China Mayoral Forum, leading the PN City business/educational/cultural delegation

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Debra Marshall-Lobb

Position: Deputy Mayor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Palmerston North Boys’ High School - secondary school education

  4. Interests in trusts 
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding 
    Nil declared

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

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

  8. Overseas travel 
    Nil declared
     
  9. Gifts 
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities 
    Contracted Governance Facilitator, Ministry of Education

Mark Arnott

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests  
    e-pics Photo and Digital Limited – tape, film transfer, photographic, 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
    Community Resilience & Sustainability committee
    Finance, Performance & Audit committee
    Arts, Culture and Heritage committee
    Sport & Recreation committee
    Chair of the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day Organising Committee (PNARDOC)
    PN Defence Heritage Advisory Group PNDHAG
    Palmerston North Medical Museum committee
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    Hockey Turf Steering Group
    Football Turf Steering Group
    Athletics Track Steering Group
  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North  

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Brent Barrett

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests 
    Nil declared

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in other companies or business entities   
    1414 Degrees Ltd - renewable energy tech
    MPR Australia Ltd - renewable energy infrastructure and services
    Janus Electric Holdings Ltd - renewable energy investment
    Aofria - manufacturing
    Vmoto Ltd - manufacturing
    Comvita - health and personal products
    Paysauce Ltd - business services
    Wide Open Agriculture - agriculture

  3. Employment
    Bioeconomy Science Institute – Public research provider mandated to serve the primary sector in New Zealand 

  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, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Rachel Bowen

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    WorkSafe New Zealand - Primary Health and Safety Regulator

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery Trust
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    New Zealand Local Government Association (Zone 3)

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

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Vaughan Dennison

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorships and controlling interests
    Social Impact Property Limited – property acquisition and services
    Puhi Ariki Limited – property acquisition and services

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

  3. Employment
    Homes for People Trust - Housing provider
    New Wine New Zealand Trust - Events and ministry network
    Social Impact Property - Housing support services 

  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
    Homes for People – Housing provider

  6. Council appointments
    Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Disaster Relief Fund Trust
     
  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North (social impact property)
    Rental property (x4), Palmerston North
    Investment property, Taupō
    Social Impact Property (x12), Palmerston North
    Social Impact Property, Feilding, Manawatū
    Social Impact Property, Levin, Horowhenua
    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): 16 February 2026

  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
    Grey Power Manawatū Incorporated – advocating for older people

  6. Council appointments
    The Seniors Reference Group

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Hayden Fitzgerald

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Fitzgerald Financial Limited – financial advisory
    Fitzrock Holdings Limited – investment holding company

  2. Interests (such as shares and bonds) in companies or business entities   
    Embark Education
    Comvita

  3. Employment
    Fitzgerald Financial Limited

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Moneywise Manawatu

  6. Council appointments
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Leonie Hapeta

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Mellington Trust

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Electoral College for CEDA Board

  7. Real property
    Nil declared

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

Lorna Johnson

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Manawatu Multicultural Organisation – support to multicultural communities
    Te Pu Harakeke – support to social sector groups

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Rental income

Bonnie Kuru

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

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

  3. Employment
    Ag Emissions Centre
    Inspire Property
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

 

Billy Meehan

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Nil declared

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Brisbane, Boxing Competition, Boxing New Zealand
    Glasgow, Boxing Training Camp, Boxing New Zealand
    Liverpool, Boxing Competition, Boxing New Zealand

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Head Coach Services, Boxing New Zealand

Orphée Mickalad

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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 Trust - Trustee

  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): 16 February 2026

  1. Company directorship and controlling interest  
    Nil declared

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

  3. Employment
    Te Whatu Ora

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Nil declared

  6. Council appointments
    Disability Reference Group

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North
    Rental property, Palmerston North
    Investment property, Tauranga

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Nil declared

William Wood

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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

  4. Interests in trusts
    Nil declared

  5. Organisations and trusts seeking Council funding
    Cancer Society Manawatu Centre Incorporated - cancer support charity which engages with Council in a variety of ways including accessing grant funding for programs/events

  6. Council appointments
    Hoffman Kiln Trust - manages the affairs and maintenance of the historic Hoffman Kiln
    Palmerston North Youth Council
    Creative Communities funding committee
    Wildbase Recovery Community Trust
    Central City Transformation (Streets for People) Steering Group
    Arena Masterplan Steering Group
    Civic and Cultural Masterplan Steering Group
    International Partnership Steering Group
    Disability Reference Group (Liaison Councillor)
    Palmerston North Airport Limited Appointment Panel

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Resource Management Act Commissioner, remuneration from the PNCC

Kaydee Zabelin

Position: Councillor

As at (date): 16 February 2026

  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
    Neighbourhood Support

  7. Real property
    Family home, Palmerston North

  8. Overseas travel
    Nil declared

  9. Gifts
    Nil declared

  10. Payment for activities
    Honorariam received for contributions to Health & Aging Research Team (HART) Māori Advisory Roopu, Massey University

Download past register of members' pecuniary interests

Register of members' pecuniary interests 2026(PDF, 376KB)

Register of members' pecuniary interests 2025(PDF, 391KB)

Register of members' pecuniary interests 2024(PDF, 298KB)

Register of members' pecuniary interests 2023(PDF, 672KB)

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