Palmerston North City Council

 

Minutes of the Economic Growth Committee Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 09 April 2025, commencing at 9.00am.

Members

Present:

Councillor Leonie Hapeta (in the Chair), The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan and Orphée Mickalad.

Non Members:

Councillor Lew Findlay, Councillor Patrick Handcock, Coun CCTV footage request

My vehicle was broken into while parked down Andrew Young Street Main St outside Te Manawa Gallery at approximately between 10-11.15am today Thursday 11 September. 

I was parked directly across from the Harvey Norman underground carpark entrance across the road outside the gallery.

 

I would like to request any cctv footage (if any) that may help with this offending & help with the police report I’ve made & which I’ve included as an attachment here.

Clarification received:

- Car registration Number KSWOLF

- Audi RS4 2022, gunmetal grey

- passenger window was broken

- 10am-11.15am Thursday 11 September

- Radar detector stolen 

hcillor Karen Naylor and Councillor Kaydee Zabelin.

 

The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting at 11.46am during consideration of clause 4. He entered the meeting again at 12.03pm during consideration of clause 5. He was not present for clause 4.

 

Councillors Rachel Bowen and Billy Meehan were not present when the meeting resumed at 3.40pm. They were not present for clauses 9 to 14 inclusive.

Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting at 4.14pm after consideration of clause 9.  He was not present for clauses 10 to 14 inclusive.

Councillors Brent Barrett and Vaughan Dennison left the meeting at 4.25pm after consideration of clause 11. They were not present for clauses 12 to 14 inclusive.

Councillor Karen Naylor left the meeting at 4.38pm after consideration of clause 12. She was not present for clauses 13 and 14 inclusive.

 

 

Karakia Timatanga

 

Councillor Roly Fitzgerald opened the meeting with karakia.

 

1-25

Public Comment

 

Brian Holmes, owner of Ebony Coffee, made a public comment against of Item 7 – Featherston Street Safety Improvements Project Update.

 

Chris Teo-Sherrell, made a public comment in support of Item 7 – Featherston Street Safety Improvements Project Update. He encouraged the Council to keep extending the cycleway in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the public comment for information.

 

Clause 1-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

2-25

Confirmation of Minutes

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.    That the minutes of the Economic Growth Committee meeting of 20 November 2024 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

Clause 2-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Abstained:

The Mayor (Grant Smith).

 

3-25

Featherston Street Safety Improvements Project Update

Memorandum, presented by Glen O'Connor, Manager Transport and Development and Michael Bridge, Service Manager Active Transport.

Elected Members put several additional motions to consider improvements to the Featherston Street changes.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee receive the memorandum titled ‘Featherston Street Safety Improvements Project Update’ presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 3-25 above was carried 14 votes to 2, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Leonie Hapeta and Lew Findlay.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10.40am.

The meeting resumed at 10.58am.

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

2.    Refer a new capital programme to the Annual Budget Deliberations to reinstall left hand turning lanes onto Rangitikei Street from Featherston Street, and safely direct cyclists onto the footpath to create shared pathway at the Intersection, on receiving an officer report.

 

Clause 3-25 above was carried 11 votes to 5, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Lew Findlay and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Brent Barrett, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock and Karen Naylor.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

3.   Work with NZTA to re-sync traffic lights – so that more cars can travel through on each phase, on receiving an officer report.

 

Clause 3-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

4.   Direct Chief Executive to investigate bus and vehicle pick ups and drop offs off-road zone and other options, in large green space-road reserve on Featherston Street opposite Boys High, to inform future annual budgets.

 

Clause 3-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

[Moved William Wood, seconded Leonie Hapeta]

Note:

On a motion to: Refer repositioning and/or removal of the four in-lane bus stops on Featherston Street between Aroha Street and North Street to a kerbside position, with bikes riders passing to the right of stationary buses by entering the live traffic lane, to the 25/26 Annual Budget Deliberations.

The motion was lost 7 votes to 9, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Billy Meehan and Lew Findlay.

Against:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

4-25

Street Light Infill

Memorandum, presented by Glen O'Connor, Group Manager - Transport and Development.

The Mayor (Grant Smith) left the meeting at 11.46am

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded Lorna Johnson.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the report ‘Street Light Infill,’ presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 4-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

5-25

Road Maintenance Contract - 6 Monthly Update

Memorandum, presented by Glen O'Connor, Manager - Transport and Development.

The Mayor (Grant Smith) entered the meeting again at 12.03pm.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.  That the Committee receive the memorandum titled ‘Road Maintenance Contract - 6 Monthly Update’ presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 5-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

The meeting adjourned at 12.05pm.

The meeting resumed at 1.06pm.

6-25

Palmerston North Airport Limited – Interim Report for 6 months to 31 December 2024

Memorandum, presented by Steve Paterson, Manager - Financial Strategy, and from the Palmerston North Airport: Murray Georgel, Chair, David Lanham, Chief Executive Officer, and Jonathon Baker, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Elected Members requested that a briefing about the new terminal project so as to be fully informed.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.  That the Committee receive the Interim Report and Financial Statements of Palmerston North Airport Ltd for the period ended 31 December 2024, presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

2. To direct the Chief Executive to request PNAL-present a confidential briefing to Council prior to the construction commencing on final detailed plans for the terminal development – to fully inform Council.

 

Clause 6-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

7-25

Palmerston North Airport Limited - Draft Statement of Intent for 2025/26 to 2027/28

Memorandum, presented by Steve Paterson, Manager - Financial Strategy, and from the Palmerston North Airport Limited (PNAL): Murray Georgel, Chair, David Lanham, Chief Executive Officer, and Jonathon Baker, Chief Financial Officer.

 

Elected Members agreed additional motions for consideration by the PNAL board in preparing its Statement of Intent to improve delivery capacity.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.  That the Committee receive the Palmerston North Airport Limited (PNAL) draft Statement of Intent for 2025/26 to 2027/28, presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

2.  That Palmerston North Airport Limited be advised:

a.    Council supports the proposed direction and implementation strategy;

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 13 votes to 3, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett and Karen Naylor.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

b.    Council recognises the projected requirement for loans totalling $40.9m by 30 June 2026 and that Palmerston North Airport Limited will be seeking to utilise the loan facility provided by the Council to fund a significant portion of this.

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 15 votes to 1, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

 

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

c.    Council expects PNAL to consider engaging a commercial development partner for the delivery of the Ruapehu Aeronautical Park.

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 15 votes to 1, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor Brent Barrett.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

d.    Council expects PNAL to explore opportunities to divest up to 25% of developable land to accelerate investment in delivery of the Ruapehu Aero Park and to support the city’s economic growth.

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 14 votes to 2, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Brent Barrett and Rachel Bowen.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded William Wood.

 

Note:

On a motion that ‘Council asks that the redundant road carriage-way next to the terminal to be closed. Any existing access to be redirected into the carpark for taxis, car-shares and buses. Carriageway in front of the terminal to be dug up and returned into a landscaped, grassed and pathed airside terminal entranceway that is much more welcoming’, the motion was tied 8 votes to 8. The chairperson declared the motion lost, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Roly Fitzgerald, Debi Marshall-Lobb and Billy Meehan.

Against:

Councillors Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lorna Johnson, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

8-25

Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA): 6 month Report 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 and Draft Statement of Intent 2025/26

Memorandum, presented by Jerry Shearman, Chief Executive, CEDA, Bobbie O’Fee, Board Chair, CEDA, Jacqui Middleton, Finance and Operation Manager, CEDA.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) 6 Month Report 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 (Attachment 1) presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

2.   That the Committee receive Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) draft Statement of Intent 2025-26 (Attachment 3) presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

3.   That the Committee approve the comments outlined in the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) draft Statement of Intent 2025–26 (Table 1) presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 8-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

The meeting adjourned at 3.22pm.

The meeting resumed at 3.40pm.

 

Councillors Rachel Bowen and Billy Meehan were not present when the meeting resumed.

9-25

Draft Parking Framework - Approval for Public Consultation

Report, presented by James Miguel, Senior Transport Planner.

Elected Members instructed the Chief Executive to progress on the actions proposed in the draft Parking Framework and prepare parking management plans accordingly, leaving consultation with the community to a later stage once particular information is available.

 

Moved William Wood, seconded Kaydee Zabelin.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1.    That the Chief Executive progress the supporting actions listed in the draft Parking Framework.

2.    That the Chief Executive begin development of the parking management plans for future consultation.

 

Clause 9-25 above was carried 11 votes to 3, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Lew Findlay, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Lorna Johnson, Orphée Mickalad and Patrick Handcock.

 

Moved Brent Barrett, seconded Patrick Handcock.

 

Note:

On a motion that ‘the Council adopt the Parking Framework (Attachment 1)’, the motion was lost 4 votes to 10, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Brent Barrett, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad and Patrick Handcock.

Against:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Lew Findlay, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

                        Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting at 4.14pm.

10-25

Central City Transformation - Streets for People Six Monthly Update

Memorandum, presented by Glen O'Connor, Group Manager - Transport and Development, and James Miguel, Senior Transport Planner.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the memorandum titled ‘Central City Transformation – Streets for People Six Monthly Update’ presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

2.   That the Committee note that six-monthly updates will pause until the Central City Transformation Steering Group is next convened.

 

Clause 10-25 above was carried 12 votes to 1, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

 

11-25

Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road - Update

Memorandum, presented by James Miguel, Senior Transport Planner.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the memorandum titled ‘Manawatū Regional Freight Ring Road – Update’ presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 11-25 above was carried 13 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Councillors Brent Barrett and Vaughan Dennison left the meeting at 4.25pm.

 

12-25

Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Update - April 2025

Memorandum, presented by Stacey Andrews, City Economist.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That Committee receive the Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Update – April 2025, including:

a.   Palmerston North Economic Growth Indicators - April 2025 (Attachment 1), and

b.  Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Card Spending Report – December 2024 (Attachment 2)

presented to the Committee meeting on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 12-25 above was carried 11 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin.

Councillor Karen Naylor left the meeting at 4.38pm.

13-25

6 month report on International Relations and Education Activities

Memorandum, presented by Gabrielle Loga, Manager International Relations, and Kate Harridge, International Relations and Education Advisor.

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.   That the Committee receive the ‘6 month report on International Relations and Education Activities’, presented to the Economic Growth Committee on 9 April 2025.

 

Clause 13-25 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

14-25

Committee Work Schedule - April 2025

 

Moved Leonie Hapeta, seconded William Wood.

The COMMITTEE RESOLVED

1.    That the Economic Growth Committee receive its Work Schedule dated April 2025.

 

Clause 14-25 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Leonie Hapeta, William Wood, Mark Arnott, Roly Fitzgerald, Lorna Johnson, Debi Marshall-Lobb, Orphée Mickalad, Patrick Handcock and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

Karakia Whakamutunga

Councillor Roly Fitzgerald closed the meeting with karakia.

 

 

The meeting finished at 4.47pm

 

Confirmed 11 June 2025

 

 

 

Chair