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Conflict of Interests or not - What do you Think?

  • NZ Empowered
  • May 29, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Nov 1, 2025


Council met on the 4th June 2025 at 4:30pm and discussed and voted on this and the use of Maidstone Tce Land.

Whether you agree with the outcome or not here is where things are at:


For those wanting an update affecting our land at Maidstone Tce and the potential lease of the land to Upper Hutt Bowling Club. We received this from the CEO today:


Thank you for your email. The late agenda item at Wednesday’s Upper Hutt City Council meeting https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/files/assets/public/v/1/your-council/meetings/2025/cycle-3/late-item-for-agenda-%E2%80%93-proposed-use-of-the-land-adjacent-to-maidstone-park.pdf allowed Councillors the opportunity to reconsider the UHCC Policy Committee’s 21 May 2025 recommendations and decide whether to proceed with lease negotiations for the land adjacent to Maidstone Park with the Upper Hutt Bowling Club Incorporated. Councillors voted against proceeding with lease negotiations. Council officers will now investigate potential alternative uses of the land and report back to Council in the new triennium, with options for consideration. 

Here is the meeting if you would like to see our Council in action, what happened and how this decision was made.




A few snippets from the meeting.

Before we start this is not about bagging anyone or choosing what the Maidstone Tce land could be used for. What we are asking is after reading the following and watching the clips we would like you to ask yourself......


Do you believe there has been a conflict of interest from Mayor Wayne Guppy and Cr Chris Carson?


A conflict of interest is a breach of the councils code of conduct (Rules and Processes)

Have a look at the sections of the Standing Orders below and decide if you believe that Mayor Guppy and Cr Carson have broken the rules by participating in the discussions, debate and voting of the use of the Maidstone Terrace Land.



If Yes then any assistance in raising this with the council would be appreciated.



Background:

Upper Hutt Bowling Club has submitted a proposal to use the land at Maidstone Terrace.

Mayor Guppy is the Patron of Upper Hutt Bowling Club, since at least 2015, and Cr Carson is the Treasurer. As patron and treasurer they both have a conflict of interest and should be excluded from any and all discussion, debate and votes on this matter.

It seems that Mayor Guppy has also neglected to declare his interest in the Te Marua Golf Club as patron also.


Timeline of events.

11 Dec 2024 - Mayor Guppy involved in discussions, moving motions and voting on the bowling clubs proposal being put to public consultation

2nd Apr 2025 - Mayor Guppy Declaring Conflict.


2nd Apr 2025 - Cr Carson Declaring Conflicts and Mayor Guppy leaving the room.


2nd Apr 2025 - Cr Carson and Mayor Guppy Declaring Conflicts but Cr Carson stays for public submissions.


2nd April 2025 - Cr Hammond getting confused that Cr Carson is potentially still at the table.


20th May 2025 - Cr Carson Declaring and pushing Chair back due to Legal advice


21st May 2025 - Cr Carson Declaring and pushing Chair back back due to Legal advice



Steps to Follow


When raising an issue or complaint The Upper Hutt Council Code of Conduct states


Only members and the Chief Executive may make a complaint under the Code.

Where a complaint is lodged against the Mayor the Deputy Mayor shall be responsible for the investigation of the complaint and will follow the process outlined in this section.


Below is a starter email to send through. If you wish to elaborate further with your views on these processes and how they are run and managed feel free to do so.. Ultimately, this is your voice and you express it as you need as everyone has their own point of view.

We believe this has a timeframe as we understand at this point council will be voting at the council meeting 4:30pm Wednesday 4th June 2025 so emails need to be received by then. Althought we have just read the agenda and it does not seem to be on the agenda at this time.


We will see if we have longer and update here..


  • If you wish to change it please ensure you include the following:

  • The names, Mayor Wayne Guppy, Cr Chris Carson

  • The subject of Conflict of Interest with Maidstone Terrace Land Use

  • Conflict with respect to Section 20.8 of the Standing Orders

  • That you want action taken.

  • Your choice to ask to be kept informed or not.


If you write an email and address it to hellen.swales@uhcc.govt.nz and geoff.swainson@uhcc.govt.nz


Click the email envelope to open a pre populated email and fill in the gaps. Click Send to email both Hellen Swales and Geoff Swainson.



Example


I believe there has been a breach regarding 20.8 Non Financial Interest in the Standing Orders by Mayor Wayne Guppy . Therefore I would like to raise a code of conduct complaint against Mayor Guppy with regards to the matter of the Maidstone Terrace land use and would like ________ action to be taken.


I believe there has been a breach regarding 20.8 Non Financial Interest in the Standing Orders by Cr Chris Carson. Therefore I would like to raise a code of conduct complaint against Cr Carson with regards to the matter of the Maidstone Terrace land use and would like ________ action to be taken.


These actions could be

  • The process on the Maidstone Tce halted while this is looked into.

  • A public appology

  • etc etc.


Any emails will be the opinion of the individual and not NZ Empowered as we are asking for individuals views.

Mayor Guppy Financial Interests

Mayor Guppy Non-Financial Interests

Even though Mayor Guppy's interest isn't registered here it is in the report provided to council


Cr Carson Financial Interests

Cr Carson Non-Financial Interests


Upper Hutt

Wellington​

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