No action to be taken over National Party advertising on Go Bay buses
National Party advertising on Hawke's Bay Regional Council-contracted buses will remain, despite council moving to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
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.
Regional Council General Manager Policy and Regulation Katrina Brunton, says they become aware that 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.
However, a National Party Spokesperson says 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."
Brunton says 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," Brunton says all Regional Council messaging about transport is now going through her office.
“All transport planning and funding decisions go through my office and the Regional Transport Committee," Brunton says.
Russell Turnbull, spokesperson for Go Bus, says they clarified this "particular issue" with Brunton beforehand, who "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.
"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.
"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."
The National Party spokesperson says they will continue to campaign on the issues that matter to Hawke’s Bay and the wider country "as we work hard to earn the support to form the next National Government".
