What Do Invercargill Councillors Get Up To Outside Of Work?

Sunday, 5 October 2025, 8:25 pm
Article: Matthew Rosenberg - Local Democracy Reporter

A register of interests for Invercargill City Council has revealed a wide range of associations for its members— from kidney societies to aluminum technology. 

Elected members are required under law to make declarations over certain thresholds for interests such as directorships, memberships, voting rights, employment, appointments and travel. In Invercargill, the shortest list belongs to mayor Nobby Clark, whose declarations include a home, being president of Southland Kidney Society and involvement with Invercargill Ratepayers Advocacy Group. Clark became just the fourth person in New Zealand to donate a kidney anonymously in 2004. 

At the other end of the spectrum, councillor Allan Arnold listed directorships on five companies connected to hospitality and management, plus multiple property interests. Four publicly listed companies connected to Arnold were not included on the report, but he said two of those had ceased to operate “years ago”. One undeclared company, Damn Dog Ltd, related to a venture which he hoped to open in the coming weeks. On the topic of travel, former radio announcer Steve Broad declared that Media Works had paid for a trip to Thailand. 

Broad said the declaration related to a 2016 X-Factor trip and also updated his register in the past week to reflect contract work he had picked up with Media Works. Deputy mayor Tom Campbell was the winner when it came to reducing his workload over the years. Public records showed Campbell had previously been a director of 39 companies, but now needed to declare just one — Energie Potier Ltd, a company which provided technology to aluminum smelters. 

Although only elected members are required to make declarations, independent chair Ross Jackson had also taken the opportunity. Jackson declared directorships on five of a total 30 publicly listed entities, while also listing senior council manager Rex Capil as an interest. Council manager governance and legal Michael Morris said Jackson was an accountant at an Invercargill firm and had professional relationships with many people in council. 

Jackson had advised that his firm acted as independent trustees for some of its clients, including through trustee companies, where all partners were appointed as directors, Morris said. “He has included these on his pecuniary interest return as ‘McCulloch and Partners Trustee Companies,’ and individually listed the companies he has direct involvement with.” Two members of the Bluff Community Board did not supply interests despite being required to — Justin Sutherland and Sam Graham. 

Sutherland put it down to “forgetfulness” but believed he had completed one earlier in the term. Graham also believed he had completed one at the beginning of the term. No interests were declared by the council’s mana whenua representatives, although this is not required. Morris said members of council were required to declare their interests within 120 days of coming into office and again by the end of each February. 

Although the council maintained the register, it did not notify members if they failed to make a return, made a mistake, or left something off. Notification of any errors or omissions in annual returns was the responsibility of members, Morris said. 

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