“Progress Results” have been released by New Plymouth District Council for the local body elections, and Max Brough has a commanding lead in the mayoral race. While these results don’t include today’s votes or special votes, Brough’s 5,745 vote lead over nearest competitor David Bublitz is too large to make any difference when final results are announced next Friday.
In a clear mandate for change, veteran councillor Murray Chong who was Brough’s running mate has received 7,009 votes; the most out of any other councillor – over twice as many as his nearest competitor. They ran together on a campaign of rates caps and council transparency. Part of which was “The Mayor’s Office” concept – a drop-in centre where anyone from the community can pop in to chat and discuss any questions or concerns they have.
Brough has not yet announced whether Chong will be selected as deputy mayor. During the campaign, he has indicated his desire to have multiple deputy mayors, however it’s not yet clear whether that’s a possibility under current legislation.
The new mayor-elect plans to celebrate his victory this evening with friends, family and supporters. He says “It’s all a bit much to take in. There is a whole bunch of new candidates I have to ring and congratulate so I’m working my way through that now.”
New candidates voted in for this term are John Woodward, Graham Chard, Moira Irving-George, Damon Fox, Kerry Vosseler, Christine Fabish and Gina Blackburn. Current sitting councillors who have retained their seats are Murray Chong, David Bublitz, Sam Bennett, Dinnie Moeahu, Gordon Brown, Bryan Vickery and Māori Ward councillor Te Waka McLeod.
However, two seats are currently held by a slim margin, and may change who is sitting around the table after the final count. Bryan Vickery maintains a 152 vote lead over EJ Barrett, while Dinnie Moeahu is 149 votes ahead of ousted two-term councillor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes.
Preliminary results are expected tomorrow afternoon, which includes votes cast today, while the final results, which includes special votes, will be declared on Friday 17 October, 2025.
Progress results
New Plymouth District Council
Mayor: Max Brough 9637, David Bublitz 3892, Sarah Lucas 3063, Sam Bennett 1931, John Woodward 1473, Graham Chard 1140, Peter Marra 607, Greg Mackay 303, Bill Simpson 225.
New Plymouth District (five seats): Murray Chong 7009, David Bublitz 3547, John Woodward 2981, Sam Bennett 2809, Dinnie Moeahu 2668, Amanda Clinton-Gohdes 2519, Mark Coster 1399, Debbie Hancock 871, Simon Chadwick 761, Greg Mackay 660, Teresa Goodin 620, Sarah Sutherland 500, Shaun Clare 389, Steve Francis 334, Wayne Williamson 256, Tina Koch 243, Nigel Jones 83.
Kaitake Ngāmotu Ward (six seats): Gordon Brown 2127, Graham Chard 1743, Moira Irving-George 1654, Damon Fox 1700, Kerry Vosseler 1666, Bryan Vickery 1590, EJ Barrett 1438, Adrian Sole 922, Ewen Darling 528, Ross Johnston 503, Peter Marra 468, Pete Buis 363, Nikki Truman 351, Muzz McDowell 311, David Payne 252, Lani Mackie-Hunt 226, Craig Tonkin 167, Michael O’Sullivan 139, Mike Morresey 94.
Kaihanga Moa Ward (one seat): Christine Fabish 1144, Sarah Lucas 966, Jeremy Brooking 379.
North Ward (one seat): Gina Blackburn 819, Ian Cummings 675, Jonathan Marshall 531, Dayna Jury 393, Jane Parker-Bishop 246, Bill Simpson 109.
Te Purutanga Mauri Pumanawa Ward (one seat): Te Waka McLeod 737, Peter Moeahu 374.
Māori ward vote: No 10,889, Yes 7880.
Stratford District Council
Mayor: Neil Volzke 1707, Jono Erwood 1452
Urban Ward (six seats): Jono Erwood 1273, Annette Dudley 1207, Josh Best 1094, Mathew Watt 905, Ellen Hall 902, Jaimie Bertie 895, Brendon Gernhoefer 882, Mike Proctor 511, Laurie Gooch 451, Alan Tolland 428, Brad Jones 392, Peter McNamara 265.
Māori Ward (one seat): David Chadwick 37, Karley Hemopo 34, Hemi Haddon 28.
Rural Ward (elected unopposed): Steve Beck, Grant Boyde, Amanda Harris, Katherine Sextus.
Māori Ward vote: No 1900, yes 1134.
South Taranaki District Council
Mayor: Phil Nixon 4612, Clem Coxhead 1707.
Eltham-Kaponga Ward (two seats): Karen Cave 476, Mark Bellringer 471, Steffy McKay 419, Tim Taylor 239.
Taranaki Coastal Ward (two seats): Janet Fleming 675, Aaron Langtun 660, Bryan Roach 611.
Te Hāwera General Ward (five seats): Andy Beccard 2261, Diana Reid 2135, Racquel Cleaver-Pittams 2050, Heather Brokenshire 2005, Garth Weir 1509, Ngawai Hernandez-Walden 511.
Māori Ward vote: No 3540, yes 2689.
Taranaki Regional Council
North Taranaki (two seats): Mike Davey 2580, Lee Kennedy 1717, Leedom Gibbs 1172, Tama Blackburn 1052, Chris Wilkes 919.
New Plymouth (five seats): Susan Hughes 7541, Tom Cloke 6690, Craig Williamson 6440, Jonathan Young 6269, John Maxwell 4229, Rusty Kane 3750, Louise James 3317, Nicola Ngarewa 3313, Craig Foltz 2791.
South Taranaki (two seats): Donna Cram 3925, Neil Walker 3701, Urs Signer 1518.
Stratford (one seat): Alan Jamieson 1512, Brendan Attrill 1407.
Māori ward vote: No 16,023, yes 11,520.
