The way New Plymouth district residents vote for their local representatives will remain unchanged for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
Following robust debate and a close vote at today’s council meeting, a majority of elected members agreed to retain the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, which has been used for the past three local elections.
STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
The alternative option debated was First Past the Post, where voters simply tick their preferred candidates to fill available seats.
Decisions regarding which voting system to use are made independently by each local council in New Zealand.
The council also approved a $660,000 funding boost to get the district ready for volumetric water billing.
The funding, which is to be allocated from within existing budgets, will establish the necessary customer billing systems and capability before mock water bills are sent to households starting in October this year.
The transition will see water services formally handed over to Wai Hononga Water Services Limited in July 2027.
Several other policy changes and draft plans were approved during the meeting.
Following public consultation and a trial period, councillors voted to amend the Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2025 regarding where horses can be ridden on local beaches.
Under the rules, horses are permanently restricted from any part of Ngāmotu Beach and its surrounding area.
During the summer peak from 1 December to the last day of February, horses will not be allowed between East End and Fitzroy beaches, or on Ōākura Beach, between 10am and 6pm.
The East End to Fitzroy restriction covers the foreshore between the Te Henui River mouth and the Waiwhakaiho River mouth, while the Ōākura restriction runs from Ahu Ahu Road west of the motor camp to the Ōākura River mouth.
The Draft Puketapu-Bell Block Spatial Plan has also been approved for public consultation, with dates to be confirmed.
An updated draft Significance and Engagement Policy will go out to the public early next month.
The council also formally adopted the updated Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy.
However, elected members opted to delay a decision on the priority ratings and strategic framework weightings that will guide the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.
Following this, councillors voted to exclude the public so they could discuss the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for New Plymouth District Council.
It is standard practice for the public to be excluded from these discussions on personal privacy and negotiation grounds.
A public announcement is expected once the appointment of a new chief executive has been finalised.
