Making the announcement, Winston Peters said Benney is “an experienced city councillor and with many years of experience as a local police officer, with an admirable record of community service in Whangarei and Northland”.
However, his voting record on the council has been less than admirable.Benney supported the creation of race-based Maori wards on the WDC and refused to put the matter to a public vote; (see here >>>)
He supported spending $24m of ratepayer money on the Oruku landing project that the Minister now says is unsustainable; and (see here >>>)
He voted to scrap the ward system that guarantees local representation on the WDC. (see here >>>).
Admirable?
Cr Benney has yet to state whether he will be taking leave from the Council without pay while campaigning for NZ First.
More information
NZ Herald article here >>>
