Napier MP slams regional council over political advertising on buses
Napier MP and Labour Minister Stuart Nash has slammed the Hawke's Bay Regional Council over political advertising on its buses.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has moved to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest after learning its bus contractor Go Bus, operator of the service Go Bay, has accepted political advertising from the National Party in Hawke’s Bay and other places.
National's candidate for the Napier electorate is Katie Nimon, who was general manager of her family bus business Nimon & Sons and has worked as the transport manager for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council since 2021.
Nash says it is "very inappropriate".
"I don't think the regional council should allow political advertising in or on any of its services. Very inappropriate as this is an organisation funded by all ratepayers of Hawke's Bay that should be, and be seen to be, 100 per cent politically neutral."
He says he will be taking the issue up with the CEO and the Chair.
Yesterday afternoon, Regional Council General Manager Policy and Regulation Katrina Brunton said the council is not involved in the advertising process and can’t prevent this type of advertising under its current contract.
“The council’s intention is that the new contract in 2025 will prevent any political advertising on buses."
To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, all regional council messaging about transport is now going through Brunton’s office.
“All transport planning and funding decisions go through my office and the Regional Transport Committee,” she said.
At the same time, a National Party Spokesperson said Nimon was not involved in the process, nor was she aware of it.
"The ads are part of a nationwide campaign, organised centrally by the National Party, which includes bus backs and digital billboards across the country, and online advertising. It is entirely unrelated to Katie Nimon’s local campaign."
Russell Turnbull, spokesperson for Go Bus, said generally, as long as the advertising is compliant with the Electoral Commission Rules, any party or individual may advertise on our buses.
"There is a long tradition of political party advertising on buses and Go Bus is neutral on accepting political party advertising," he told Hawke's Bay App yesterday afternoon.
"Go Bus has a contract with Mediaworks for sales of bus back advertising across many of the cities we operate in, including Napier and Hastings. Mediaworks and Go Bus are the sole beneficiaries of the revenue from any bus back advertising sold in Napier and Hastings.
"We did clarify this particular issue with Katrina Brunton at the council beforehand, they reviewed their contractual requirements with us and concluded there are no restrictions on political advertising. They also noted the advertising must meet the Electoral Commission Rules."
He confirmed the advertising will remain as "there’s no reason for it to be recalled that we know of".
