Palmerston North City Council
Minutes of the Council Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 30 April 2025, commencing at 9.02am
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Members Present: |
Grant Smith (The Mayor) (in the Chair) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. |
Councillor Rachel Bowen was not present when the meeting resumed at 11.00am. She entered the meeting again at 11.15am.
Councillor Orphée Mickalad left the meeting at 4.03pm after the meeting resumed. He entered the meeting again at 4.05pm after the consideration of clause 60. He was not present for clause 60.
Councillor Roly Fitzgerald was not present when the meeting resumed at 6.00pm. He joined the meeting online at 6.05pm after consideration of clause 61. He was not present for clause 61.
Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb was not present when the meeting resumed at 6.00pm. She joined the meeting at 6.10pm after consideration of clause 61. She was not present for clause 61.
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Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb opened the meeting with karakia. |
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Extension of meeting time |
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56-25 |
Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED 1. That Council resolve, as per Standing Order 2.1.7, to extend the meeting until 8.00pm on Wednesday 30 April 2025. |
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Clause 56-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. |
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Appointment of Chairs for following sessions |
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Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED 1. That Council agree the Chairs for the remaining sessions as follows:
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Clause 57-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. |
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Hearing of Submissions - Annual Budget 2025-26, Planning and Miscellaneous Services Fees & Charges 2025-26 and Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Civic Marae & Cultural Centre Governance
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Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED 1. That Council receive the submissions and hear submissions from presenters who indicated their wish to be heard in support of their submission. 2. That Council note the Procedures for the Hearing of Submissions, as described in Attachment 1. |
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Clause 58-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
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Council considered submissions on the matters listed below with supporting oral statements including additional tabled material: · Annual Budget 2025-26 (‘AB’); · Planning and Miscellaneous Services Fees & Charges 2025-26; and · Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Civic Marae & Cultural Centre Governance (‘TMoP’). The following persons appeared before Council and made oral statements in support of their submission and replied to questions from Elected Members. Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Group (Debbie Te Puni, Kaiwhakahaere Matua/Chief Executive) (TMoP Partner’s submission) Debbie spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Reiterated Rangitāne o Manawatū’s support to Council’s preferred option of a stand-alone Council-controlled charitable organisation co-governed by Rangitāne o Manawatū and the Council. · Co-governance implies sharing responsibility, unique strengths, perspectives and obligations. Rangitāne brings mātauranga Māori, tikanga, whakapapa and generations of connections to this whenua, and the Council brings experience in civic planning, infrastructure and community engagement. · The co-governance model will lead to stronger, smarter and more enduring outcomes. Manawatū Business Chamber ‘MBC’) (AB 67) – Amanda Linsley (Chief Executive Officer) and Rahui Corbett (Chairperson) Amanda spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Earthquake strengthening needs to be treated separately from the Civic and Cultural Precinct programme. The Manawatū Business Chamber is concerned about impacts on businesses where strengthening works need to be done. The Council, the Chamber and businesses need to work together to minimise disruptions. Manawatū Tenants’ Union (AB 73) – Cameron Jenkins (Coordinator) and Lawrence O’Halloran (Chairperson) Cameron and Lawrence spoke to their submission, including tabled supplementary information (appended to these minutes). They made no additional comments.
Cancer Society of New Zealand Manawatū Centre Inc. (AB 57) – Josephine Gutry (Health Promoter) Josephine spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · The dedicated budget towards sunshade developments is promising, however the Cancer Society has concerns about funding allocation considering the majority might be absorbed by administration processes instead of used for infrastructure. Note: Councillor William Wood declared a conflict of interest, withdrew from the discussion and sat in the gallery during the Cancer Society of New Zealand Manawatū Centre’s oral submission. Age Friendly Palmerston North (AB 60) – Russell Hallam and Kerry Hocquard Russell and Kerry spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Commended Council for the budget allocation in the draft annual plan for the continuation of the Age-Friendly plan. · Requested permanent allocation of funding for the Age-Friendly programme aligned with Council’s commitment towards being an Age-Friendly city. Resonant Consultants on behalf of Kikiwhenua (AB 128) – Glenn Young Glenn spoke to Kikiwhenua’s submission and made the following additional comments: · Clarified that the requested additional budget allocation of $1,500k in Program 2512 is related to water mains connection to Pioneer Highway. · The costs requested are not rating costs. Les Fugle (Planning and Miscellaneous Services Fees & Charges 1) Les spoke to his submission, including a tabled supplementary written statement (appended to these minutes). He made no additional comments. |
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Te Motu o Poutoa Governance and Management Structure Options - Summary of Submissions Memorandum, presented by Aaron Phillips, Activities Manager Parks. |
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Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED 1. That Council receive the report titled ‘Te Motu o Poutoa Governance and Management Structure Options - Summary of Submissions’, presented to Council on 30 April 2025. |
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Clause 44-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. Abstained: Councillor Leonie Hapeta. |
The meeting adjourned (Session 1 finished) at 10.28am.
The meeting resumed (Session 2 started) at 11.00am.
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Members Present: |
Councillor William Wood (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin. |
Councillor William Wood took the Chair.
Councillor Rachel Bowen was not present when the meeting resumed.
Resumed item 8 ‘Hearing of Submissions - Annual Budget 2025-26, Planning and Miscellaneous Services Fees & Charges 2025-26 and Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Civic Marae & Cultural Centre Governance’ (clause 58 above).
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58-25 continued |
Hearing of Submissions - Annual Budget 2025-26, Planning and Miscellaneous Services Fees & Charges 2025-26 and Te Motu o Poutoa Anzac Park Civic Marae & Cultural Centre Governance |
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The following persons appeared before Council and made oral statements in support of their submission and replied to questions from Elected Members. Canine Friends Pet Therapy (AB 114) – Kaye Harkness (Liaison Officer and Assessor) Kaye spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Councillor Rachel Bowen entered the meeting again at 11.15am. Sharon Sandgathe (TMoP 12) Sharon spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Requested small changes in the notified design of the Te Motu o Poutoa Cultural Park Civic Marae with the aim of making it best practice in terms of stormwater design, including more natural elements to reduce awa pollution. Highbury Whanau Centre (TMoP 16) – Peter Butler (Kaihautū - Executive Manager) Peter spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · The decision about the governance structure should be left to Rangitāne o Manawatū alone, as mana whenua. Palmerston North Boys’ High School (PNBHS) (AB 87) – David Bovey (Rector) and Stuart Leighton (PNBHS Old Boys' Association Liaison) David spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Note: Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb declared an interest in relation to submitter PNBHS but stated she would consider the item with an open mind. Sheridan Hickey (AB 126) Sheridan spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Centrepoint Theatre has always supported local stories and its programmes reach the wider communities of the city. Environment Network Manawatū (AB 123) – Madz BatachEl (Coordinator) Madz spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · From personal observation, in the last 30 years the number of students biking to school has significantly dropped. Frank Koenders (AB 124) David spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Massey University Foundation (AB 125) – Mitch Murdoch (Director) and Dr Vaughan Symonds (Senior Lecturer) Mitch and Vaughan spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Highlighted Te Waimana o Turitea’s vision of a joint University-community garden space, ecopark, research centre, public garden, outdoor classroom and cultural gathering space. · This project would also bring economic benefits to the city. Denise Gray (AB 127) Denise spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: · Money has been spent in wants and not needs. · Some Council staff do not do their jobs well. · Urged Council to pay off debt and not ask ratepayers for further rates for water upgrades. |
The meeting adjourned (Session 2 finished) at 12.27pm.
The meeting resumed (Session 3 started) at 4.00pm.
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Members Present: |
Councillor Mark Arnott (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. |
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Members Present Online: |
Councillor Karen Naylor. |
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Apologies: |
The Mayor (Grant Smith) (early departure, on Council business). |
Councillor Mark Arnott took the Chair.
Councillor Orphée Mickalad left the meeting at 4.03pm.
Councillor Orphée Mickalad entered the meeting again at 4.05pm.
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The following persons appeared before Council and made oral statements in support of their submission and replied to questions from Elected Members. City to Sea Rail Trail - Manawatū (AB 88) – Alice Williamson (Chair/Secretary) Alice spoke to their submission, including a presentation (appended to these minutes). She made no additional comments. John Bent (AB 163) John spoke to their tabled submission (appended to these minutes) and made no additional comments. Resonant Consulting Limited on behalf of Terra Civil Limited (AB 129) – Daniel Barr Daniel spoke to their submission, noting they were also representing Brian Green Property Group and made no additional comments. Robert McLachlan (AB 64) Robert spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Manawatū Rugby Union (AB 81) – Doug Tietjens (Chief Executive) Doug spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Ian Staples (AB 130) Ian spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: • Many ratepayers are already facing significant financial hardship. • There needs to be a rates ‘ceiling’ to avoid household bankruptcy. • Council has a responsibility to determine what the ceiling is and not exceed it; austerity needs to be exercised. Brett Hill (AB 69) Brett spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: • Thanks to those involved in keeping Palmerston North City Council’s proposed rate increase for 2025/26 low, compared to many other councils, especially given the challenges local bodies face when attempting to keep rates low. • Empathises with Council having to juggle budgetary and other challenges but asks that everything possible be done with this and future budgets to keep ratepayer increases as low as possible, at least until the economy significantly and sustainably improves. Tom Santing (AB 77) Brett Hill spoke on behalf of Tom Santing, who was unable to attend. He made the following additional comments: • Appreciation to Councillors for working to reduce the proposed rates increase from 8.9% to 7.7%. • Could Council introduce small user pays contributions to Council-led events, Council facilities to help recover some operating costs from visitors? Council could consider postponing higher cost events until a change in economic conditions. • Projects like Arena 5 or the proposed marae are valuable, but are they truly, urgently needed? Deferring these types of investments during a period of economic pressure may help mitigate further rate increases next year. • Support reducing or postponing spending on fleet, projects which are not urgent as long as it does not lead to huge future cost blowouts. David Southee (AB 117) David spoke to their submission and made the following additional comments: • Rather than investing money in community libraries, could alternative options like a mobile library or shuttle service to and from the central library be explored? • Could we look to repay the current debt at a higher rate to shorten the term of the loan? • We are in a good central location to attract sporting events to the city, which could stimulate growth for the city. |
The meeting adjourned (Session 3 finished) at 5.24pm.
The meeting resumed (Session 4 started) at 6.00pm.
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Members Present: |
Councillor Patrick Handcock (in the Chair), and Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. |
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Members Present Online: |
Karen Naylor |
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Apologies: |
The Mayor (Grant Smith) on Council business and Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb for lateness. |
Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb and Roly Fitzgerald were not present when the
meeting resumed.
Councillor Patrick Handcock took the Chair.
Councillor Roly Fitzgerald joined the meeting online at 6.05pm.
Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb entered the meeting at 6.10pm.
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The following persons appeared before Council and made oral statements in support of their submissions and replied to questions from Elected Members. Horizons Regional Council (AB 86) – Rachel Keedwell (Chair) Rachel spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. Manawatū Lesbian & Gay Rights Association Inc. (MaLGRA) (AB 70) – Cameron Jenkins (Secretary) and Skye Shaddix Cameron spoke to their submission and tabled supplementary information (appended to these Minutes). He made the following additional comments: · MaLGRA accepts the one-year Community-Led Initiative Fund (CLIF) funding offer, however, a multi-year Strategic Priority Grant-style arrangement would be more aligned with the scale of their contribution to the City. · Palmerston North ranks among the top 5 cities in Aotearoa for rainbow population. · MaLGRA amends their original funding request to $22,500 over three years, to secure and maintain a central office and drop-in space for the rainbow community, separate from any CLIF-funded activities. · Requested the Council to prioritise the repainting of the Rainbow Crossing on George Street.
Pat Debney (AB 62) Pat spoke to their submission, including a presentation (appended to these minutes) and made no additional comments. Palmy BID Incorporated (AB 75) – Matthew Jeanes (General Manager) and Steve Williams (Committee Member) Matthew and Steve spoke to their submission and made no additional comments. |
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Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb closed the meeting with karakia. |
The meeting finished at 6.46pm
Confirmed 14 May 2025
Mayor