Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) president Sam Broughton has lost his mayoralty in dramatic fashion, suffering a landslide defeat in Selwyn District to challenger Lydia Gliddon.
Gliddon secured more than 15,000 votes to Broughton’s 4,000, ending his nine-year tenure and fourth-term bid. Her decisive victory reflects growing voter appetite for change amid mounting dissatisfaction with LGNZ itself. In recent years, several councils have quit the organisation, citing concerns it had become too aligned with central government and out of touch with local needs.
Broughton’s loss now leaves LGNZ without a sitting mayor at its helm, deepening questions about the group’s relevance and leadership at a time when member confidence is already eroding.
Selwyn District Council is financially stable but under pressure from rapid growth and infrastructure costs. It holds a strong AA+ credit rating, yet residents face steep rate increases and rising debt.
📊 Key Financial Highlights (2024–2025)
– Operating income (2024): $150.3 million
– Operating expenditure (2024): $194.8 million
– Capital investment (2025–2026): $145.8 million, with over 80% allocated to transport, water, and waste infrastructure
💰 Rates and Revenue
– Rates revenue: Grew at a compound annual rate of 10.8% (FY19–FY24)
– 2025–2026 rates increase: 14.2% average hike, triggering public backlash
– Rates now fund ~64.5% of total revenue, giving the council strong fiscal autonomy
🏗️ Infrastructure Pressure
– Selwyn is New Zealand’s fastest-growing district, with a 165% population increase over two decades
– Cost inflation:
– Bridge construction: +40%
– Sewer systems: +30%
– Roads and water infrastructure: +27%
– Council manages 2,500 km of roads and 120 bridges, amplifying cost exposure
🧭 Credit Rating and Fiscal Outlook
– Fitch Rating: AA+ with a Stable Outlook
– Risk profile: “High Midrange” due to strong revenue robustness and adjustability
– Debt servicing: Considered low-risk under current projections
⚖️ Public Sentiment and Criticism
– Residents and advocacy groups have criticized:
– Lack of consultation over rate hikes
– Perceived unfairness in funding growth infrastructure via existing ratepayers
– Push for forensic audits and clearer financial transparency
Good riddance to woke socialist Sam Broughton. He and many of.his previous Councillors ramped up ridiculous Rate increases and then went and joined up to WESCO (giving away control of the water) against what 80% of the district wanted. I hope the new Council have the conviction to do a u turn, no matter what the cost to pull out of WESCO. Broughton and the other previous Councillors should be taken to Court and made to pay that figure out of their own pockets. Treason is what it amounted to
If they were lucky, traitors left town tared and feathered.
There’s a lot of people who should be taken to court in the Rotorua council. Allegedly there is missing money supposed to be for some sewer scheme, no recent audit, conflicts of interests, nepotism, voting blocks set up by mayor tapsell by awarding her favourite councillors extra responsibility and lots of extra $$$$$$$ for chairing committees set up to evade public scrutiny and input. Furthermore there is a separate board of 14 Maori people who are located right next to council who are also funded by council and govt to specifically further influence the council. Then there’s the question of who funds things like the “chamber of pride” and “Te Arawa FM” (also situalted next to the council)
I want some f*****n accountability, some answers and a HUGE investigation.
On a brighter note, tamati Coffey the eternal grifter and Roanna Bennett (the mayors mother) missed out on the BOP regional council. Good job.
Good now shut down LGNZ