Returns reveal Horizons councillors’ financial interests
Elected members of local bodies, including Horizons Regional Council, are required by law to declare returns from their pecuniary interests
It is Long-Term Plan consultation season and it is also when elected members should have well and truly filed their pecuniary interests returns. It is the second year these annual returns of certain pecuniary interests have been required for local government elected members.
The returns cover the year to January 29, 2024 and record members’ interests .
Palmerston North councillor and Horizons chairwoman Rachel Keedwell is a director of MWRC Holdings Limited, a councilcontrolled organisation 100 per cent owned by Horizons Regional Council. The company owns and manages Horizons’ investments.
She has a beneficial interest in the Keedwell Brown Family Trust and owns rental property in Palmerston North.
Palmerston North councillor Fiona Gordon has a pecuniary interest in Gordon Infrastructure and also in Gordon Consulting. Gordon has shares in six other companies, including Tesla, Apple and Auckland International Airport and has a beneficial interest in JKB and J Taylor Trust.
Gordon owns a family residence in Palmerston North and is the beneficiary of a trust that owns a house in the city.
Palmerston North councillor and Horizons deputy chairman Jono Naylor is a shareholder of residential housing development company Flax Developments.
He owns a family residence in Palmerston North and an investment property in the city, plus an investment property in Tauranga and is a self-employed consultant.
Palmerston North councillor Wiremu Te Awe Awe receives payment for “customary activities associated with the service delivery” of Palmerston North City Council.
Manawatū-Rangitīkei councillor Bruce Gordon is a director and shareholder of agricultural contracting, baling, cropping and cartage company Bruce Gordon Contracting.
He is also a director and shareholder of EB Gordon Limited, which manages and maintains the Dudding Lake motor camp and public area. Gordon owns a farm at Marton, plus a holiday home at Pauanui.
Manawatū-Rangitīkei councillor Gordon McKellar is a director and shareholder of McKellar Farmlands 2017 Limited and is employed by the
company. He owns a farm at Feilding.
Whanganui councillor David Cotton is a director and shareholder of Rivercity Livestock 1995 Limited, has a pecuniary interest in Tasman Farming Partnership, Kai Iwi Farming Partnership, Tasman Trust, Tasman Taupō Trust, Gilligan Trust, For Farms
Real Estate and Opaehu Farm and beneficial interest in Tasman Trust and Tasman Taupō Trust. Cotton owns five farms near Whanganui and a residence in Taupō.
Whanganui councillor Alan Taylor has a pecuniary interest in family trust Ridgway Trust. He is employed by the trust which owns a farm with rental housing near Whanganui.
Horowhenua councillor Sam Ferguson is a self-employed labourer and owns a family residence in Levin.
Tararua councillor Allan Benbow is a director of electricity distribution company Scanpower. He has a pecuniary interest in AL and KC Benbow, owns a farm in Dannevirke, a family residence and lifestyle block in Dannevirke and a unit title in a Taupō motel.
He received dividends from a portfolio of New Zealand-listed companies. Benbow is also a director of MWRC Holdings Limited.
Ruapehu councillor Nikki Riley is a director and shareholder of Bindesa Holdings and Ruapehu Link. Riley has a beneficial interest in the McErlich Family Trust and RM Family Trust and has shares in a range of companies including Mainfreight, Fletcher Building, Ryman Healthcare and Avita Medical.
She owns a family residence at Kuratau and is the beneficiary of a trust that owns commercial property in Ohakune.
Raki Māori councillor Jim Edmonds is self-employed providing agricultural advice. He has a beneficial interest in Atihau Inc, Morikau Inc, Waimarino Ngaporo Trust, Lake Taupō Forest Trust and Rotoaira Trust. He owns family property in Raetihi.
Tonga Māori councillor Te Kenehi Teira was employed by the Ministry of Education on the Te Tātoru o Wairau project.
Horowhenua councillor Emma Clarke has not filled her return.