REVEALED: New Plymouth Attendance Records Expose Gaps on the Council Bench

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal through a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request that some New Plymouth District councillors have missed dozens of official meetings. Released attendance records show multiple councillors regularly giving no apology at all for absences, despite being paid to represent ratepayers.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Wagging work wouldn’t fly in the private sector, and it shouldn’t when ratepayers are forking out tens of thousands for councillors who don’t even show the respect of apologising for not turning up."

“Local government isn’t just a side-hustle for the lucky few, and the bare minimum ratepayers expect of their elected officials is to show up. If councillors can’t - or won’t - attend the meetings, then they shouldn’t take the pay.”

“This needs to be a wake-up call for restoring basic expectations in local government. Ratepayers need recall elections so they’re not stuck waiting three full years to sling out councillors who won’t do the job they’re paid for.”