Skip to main content
News

NPDC retains STV voting for future local elections and progresses water billing system

News Featured news
PUBLISHED: 27 AUG 2026
Share this article

Voting in the 2028 and 2031 local body elections for New Plymouth District Council will continue to be by Single Transferable Vote (STV), after elected members today agreed to retain the system it has used for the past three elections.

The decision at today’s Council meeting means voters rank candidates in order of preference, with one for their most preferred candidate. The other option debated was first past the post, where voters tick the candidates they want to fill the available number of seats.

The decision on which voting system is used is made by elected members at each individual council.

The Council also approved additional funding to support a project to ensure the district is ready for water billing, ahead of mock bills being sent out from October this year.

The decision at today’s Council meeting sees $660,000 allocated for a project to establish the systems, processes and capability needed to support customer billing, provide residents with water consumption information, and prepare this function to transition to Wai Hononga Water Services Limited in July 2027.

Council also approved a range of other matters, including:

  • Releasing the Draft Puketapu-Bell Block Spatial Plan for public consultation, timing to be determined.
  • Adopting the updated Dangerous, Affected and Insanitary Buildings Policy.
  • Amending the resolution for beach areas where horses are restricted. It will see clause 24.1 of the Activities in Public Places Bylaw 2025 amended to reflect the decision made today, which followed public consultation and a trial. This means that horses will not be allowed on:
    • Any part of Ngāmotu Beach and surrounding area, at all times
    • Between 10am and 6pm from 1 December to the last day of February at East End to Fitzroy Beach (including the foreshore and beach area located between the Te Henui River mouth to the west and the Waiwhakaiho River mouth to the east)
    • Ōākura Beach (including the foreshore and beach area located between Ahu Ahu Road west of the Ōākura Motor Camp to the west, and the Ōākura River mouth to the east).
  • Releasing an updated draft Significance and Engagement Policy for public consultation. Consultation is expected early next month. 

However, the Council has delayed a decision on priority ratings and strategic framework weightings, which will be used to prioritise projects in the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.

 

At a glance

 

Related news

A life saver for tradies: new million dollar waste sorting facility to open for region's businesses
NPDC to discuss Central Government’s Three Waters Reforms at Public Meeting
Historic touches in place as Pukekura Park transformed for footy

Page last updated: 02:19pm Thu 27 August 2026

Contact us
06 759 6060 enquiries@npdc.govt.nz
Visit us

84 Liardet Street
New Plymouth

Search
Find by A–Z
Navigate
Useful links
Our NPDC family
New Zealand Government logo