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Benjamin Ryan Bell (born 11 May 1999)[1] is a New Zealand politician who is the mayor of the town of Gore in the South Island. In October 2022, Bell was elected as Gore's youngest mayor at the age of 23 years, defeating the incumbent Tracy Hicks.[2][3] In mid November, the Gore District Council rejected Bell's request to hire a personal executive assistant named Shanna Crosbie. Bell subsequently went on leave after his fellow councillors submitted a requisition requesting the removal of deputy mayor Stewart MacDonell.[4][5]

Key Information

In May 2023, Bell's opponents abandoned an attempted vote of no confidence in his mayoral leadership.[6][7] Following a mediation process involving an external facilitator, Bell and his fellow councillors mended their working relationships with the Gore District Council CEO Stephen Parry in August 2023.[8]

Early life and business career

[edit]

Bell's mother is Rebecca Tayler[9] and his biological father is Simon Bell.[10] He grew up in Ōtaki and received his education at Paraparaumu College.[11] When he was 12 years old, he invented a GPS-enabled wristband that allowed hospitals and visitors to trace the whereabouts of patients. In September 2016, he presented his wristband at the Medicine X conference organised by Stanford University in California.[12][13] In November 2016, this invention won him the youth category of the Wellingtonian of the Year award.[14][15]

During 2017, Bell worked at Ōtaki Countdown supermarket to save money for a 2018/19 northern hemisphere winter gap year in Canada, where he worked as a ski instructor despite having to learn to ski himself first. In his own words, "it was crazy... I knew the very basics."[11][15] In 2019, Bell started to work at Horizons Regional Council as an environmental data analyst.[11] In July 2021, he registered his own company—Random42 Limited—with himself as the sole director. His mother is a 49 per cent shareholder in that company.[16] The company dealt with water-monitoring technology, portable wind turbines, and promoted Bell's wristband invention.[11]

Mayoral career

[edit]

2022 mayoral election

[edit]

During the 2022 Gore mayoral election, which was held as part of the 2022 New Zealand local elections, Bell positioned himself as the "change" candidate and campaigned on fixing rural roads, water infrastructure, and promoting recycling. During his campaign, Bell reached out to both young voters via social media and canvassed older voters through the Returned Services Association and other organisations. When the full local election results were released on 13 October 2022, Bell defeated the incumbent mayor Tracy Hicks by a narrow margin of 8 votes; winning 2,371 votes to Hicks' 2,363 votes.[3] Hicks applied for a recount but a judge rejected his bid for a recount.[17]

Conflict with Gore councillors

[edit]

In mid November, several Gore councillors including Bret Highsted, Neville Phillips, Bronwyn Reid, and Richard McPhail boycotted Bell's retreat in Cromwell for elected members. The retreat was intended as a team-building exercise to introduce Bell's leadership strategy for the next three years of his mayoral term. Highsted criticised the decision to hold the retreat in Cromwell as disrespectful to the Gore community, ratepayers, businesses and the Mataura Licensing Trust. Deputy mayor Stewart MacDonell defended the retreat, stating that there had been "good, robust discussion" among the attendees. He also claimed that Bell had unsuccessfully tried to book facilities at Gore's Croydon Lounge for the retreat.[18]

On 22 November 2022, the Gore District Council rejected Bell's bid to hire an assistant. Councillor Bret Highsted opposed Bell's request for a personal assistant, describing it as a "vanity project".[4][19] That same day, seven councillors including Richard McPhail, Reid, Highsted, Paul McPhail, Glenys Dickson, Phillips and Joe Stringer submitted a notice that they planned to meet on 15 December to vote on the removal of deputy mayor MacDonell and elect a new deputy. Following the mayoral election, Bell had designated MacDonell as deputy mayor, citing his "wealth of knowledge and experience in finances". On 24 November, the Gore District Council confirmed that Bell had gone on leave.[20]

On 29 November, Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry estimated that Bell's proposed governance structure would cost the district council between NZ$140,000 and 300,000 per year. Bell's proposed governance structure would include 10 mana whenua representatives and several independent representatives.[21] In late November, Bell returned following a three-day break and reaffirmed his commitment to his mayoral duties following a week of "challenging conversations".[22][23] Following a workshop held on 1 December 2022 to discuss Bell's proposed governance structure, MacDonell resigned as deputy mayor.[24]

In December 2022, Stuff reported that six Gore District councillors Highsted, Reid, Dickson, Phillips, Paul and Richard McPhail had expressed concerns about Bell's management style and leadership to the Council's acting chief executive Parry on 19 November. In response, Parry submitted a letter to Bell claiming that his lack of engagement with staff and misrepresentation of issues was having a demoralising effect on Council staff. Key grievances raised by the councillors included Bell and Crosbie's planning of a staff retreat, a pōwhiri at the Council's swearing-in ceremony which was organised without staff input, and issuing their own press releases without consulting the Council's communications department. Bell had defended his actions, citing Section 41A of the Local Government Act 2002 and told the councillors to refer their grievances to Parry. Bell stated he was shocked to have received Parry's letter following his swearing in but later stated he was developing a "different working relationship with staff."[25]

In February 2023, Bell's opponent Tracy Hick's social media manager Natasha Chadwick shared several private photos of Bell following the 2022 mayoral election with several media outlets including the Otago Daily Times. Chadwick defended her actions, stating that "what he [Bell] does socially is absolutely the people's business. Chadwick had suggested that Hicks share the photos during the 2022 mayoral election but Hicks had refused.[26] In response, Bell dismissed rumors about his sexuality. When questioned by Radio New Zealand about an Instagram photo showing a male friend kissing him on the cheek, Bell stated that "the next generation would think nothing about it." Gore councillor John Gardyne described the 2022 Gore mayoral election as one of the "dirtiest campaigns" due to the significant antagonism between Hicks' and Bell's camps.[27]

Conflict with Stephen Parry and attempted vote of no confidence

[edit]

In late March 2023, Stuff reported that Bell's relationship with chief executive Stephen Parry had deteriorated and the two were no longer on speaking terms, requiring councillor Richard McPhail to act as an intermediary.[28][29] Following this controversy, long-serving councillor Bret Highsted resigned from council citing high stress levels and "unsustainable anxiety", triggering a by-election.[30][31]

On 11 May 2023, Bell rejected a resignation request from seven of Gore's ten councillors including deputy mayor Keith Hovell, Richard McPhail, Stewart MacDonell, Neville Phillips, Glenys Dickson, Paul McPhail and Bronwyn Reid. The ten councillors claimed that they had lost confidence and trust in Bell's ability to act in the best interests of the council and Gore community.[32] In response, Gore resident Sean Burke circulated a petition calling for the resignation of Gore Council chief executive Stephen Parry. Burke expressed support for Bell and claimed that Parry "presided over a bullying culture."[33] On 16 May, the seven councillors abandoned their attempts to hold a vote of no confidence in Bell's leadership. Instead, Hovell successfully tabled an amended motion calling for the Gore District Council to work with Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) to develop terms of reference for an independent review to restore confidence in the Council.[6][7]

On 13 June 2023, Bell submitted a petition calling for the resignation of CEO Parry. The petition was rejected by his fellow councillors, with Bell being the sole supporter.[34] According to the Otago Daily Times, the 4,800-strong petition was dominated by non-Gore residents, with Gore residents only accounting for 9% of signatures.[35] On 21 June, Bell and his fellow councillors apologised to Parry.[36]

On 11 July, Bell apologised to the Gore community after a Resident's Opinion Survey found only 19% had confidence in the Mayor and Gore District Council's leadership due to the recent internal conflict.[37] On 9 August, Radio New Zealand reported that the Gore District Council had spent NZ$11,000 in hiring an external facilitator to mediate relations between Bell, the District Council, and Parry.[8]

2023 southern New Zealand floods

[edit]

In response to heavy rainfall and flooding in Gore during the 2023 southern New Zealand floods, Bell declared a state of emergency for the Southland Region on 21 September 2023.[38] The following day, Bell confirmed that Gore District Council staff and the fire service had managed to save 20 buildings in the town from flooding through pumping. Bell and the Council stated that the roads were safe to travel but advised motorists to look out for flood debris.[39]

Inter-council cooperation

[edit]

In late November 2024, Bell and Mayor of Central Otago Tamah Alley confirmed that their two councils would partner together to deliver water services to their communities in response to rising costs and the Government's Local Water Done Well policy. Member of Parliament for Southland welcomed the partnership between the Gore and Central Otago District Councils.[40]

2025–2026 rates increase

[edit]

On 21 May 2025, Bell proposed increasing the Gore District Council's rates by 6.1% as part of its long-term plan. Ultimately, the council endorsed a 9.9% base rates increase for 2026, which he opposed. As mayor, Bell had also supported asset sales as a means of reducing the council's debts.[41] The following day, Bell confirmed that the Gore District Council would be working with Local Government New Zealand to lobby against the central government's pressure on local councils to increase rates to offset reduced government funding.[42]

2025 Gore mayoral election

[edit]

On 22 February 2025, Bell confirmed that he would seek a second term as mayor of Gore during the 2025 Gore mayoral election.[43] Bell was re-elected for a second term as mayor. According to preliminary results, he received 2,917 votes, defeating his sole opponent, Gore businesswoman Nicky Davis (who received 1,270 votes).[44]

Notes and references

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ben Bell

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ben Bell is a New Zealand politician who has served as of Gore since defeating incumbent Tracy Hicks by a margin of eight votes in the October 2022 local elections. At 23 years of age upon taking office, Bell became the youngest person ever elected to head a local body in history. His first term involved streamlining council management, cancelling proposed infrastructure projects such as Streets Alive to curb expenditures, and prioritizing ratepayer savings after public feedback on rising costs, though these reforms coincided with high-profile tensions including a failed 2023 no-confidence motion from councillors, a breakdown in relations with the chief executive leading to that official's resignation, and mediation to resolve internal divisions. Despite these challenges, Bell secured re-election in October 2025 with 2917 votes to challenger Nicky Davis's 1270, reflecting voter endorsement amid ongoing efforts to focus council priorities on .

Early life and business career

Early life and education

Bell was born in , in 1999, and grew up in the small coastal town, which instilled an early appreciation for rural community dynamics. He attended College for , commuting daily from Ōtaki, and completed his schooling there around 2016. Bell pursued no formal tertiary qualifications, instead developing practical skills through self-directed learning, particularly in , which he began mastering independently as a child.

Entrepreneurial background

Ben Bell established Random42 Limited in 2021 as a firm focused on creating websites and solutions to address practical challenges. The company specialized in technologies such as water-monitoring systems and portable wind turbines, leveraging Bell's self-taught coding expertise to develop tools tailored for environmental and applications. At age 22, Bell served as the sole director, demonstrating early entrepreneurial initiative by operations amid a where accessible software tools could directly mitigate real-world inefficiencies. Through Random42, Bell collaborated with startups and government agencies, providing digital solutions that highlighted his capacity for and adaptability in competitive tech sectors. These ventures underscored fiscal prudence, as the firm operated leanly without external funding disclosures, emphasizing efficient in software prototyping and deployment. Bell's risk-taking was evident in pivoting from prior regional council employment to independent enterprise, where he identified opportunities in underserved niches like sustainable tech amid New Zealand's push for environmental data solutions. Bell's business experiences revealed systemic bottlenecks in processes, particularly in how agencies adopted and integrated digital tools, fostering his recognition of broader administrative hurdles in local governance. This insight, drawn from direct client interactions, positioned his entrepreneurial acumen as a foundation for addressing inefficiencies without reliance on established bureaucratic frameworks.

Entry into politics

2022 Gore mayoral election

Ben Bell, aged 23 and a local business owner with prior council work experience, announced his candidacy for the Gore District mayoralty in mid-2022 as part of Team Hokonui, positioning himself as a fresh alternative to long-serving incumbent Tracy Hicks, who had held the position for six terms since 2001. Nominated by community members Lester Paisley and Diane Stringer, Bell's campaign highlighted a focus on redirecting council funds toward essential services including three waters infrastructure, roading maintenance, and programs, alongside fostering partnerships with external agencies to benefit the district. He also pledged to promote Gore's livability by emphasizing , local events such as the World of WearableArt, and recreational opportunities like trout fishing to attract residents and visitors. The election, held under from October 8 to 15, 2022, pitted Bell against Hicks in a contest marked by contrasts between the challenger's efficiency-oriented reforms and the incumbent's established tenure. Bell's platform appealed to voters concerned with fiscal priorities amid rising rates and needs, reflecting broader ratepayer interest in streamlined council operations over continuity. Bell secured victory with 2,371 votes to Hicks's 2,363, a margin of just eight votes from 4,734 valid papers, achieving a of approximately 53% among 9,086 enrolled electors. This narrow win, confirmed after informal votes and blanks (114 blanks, 1 informal), made Bell New Zealand's youngest mayor in history at the time. Hicks requested a recount, citing the closeness, but a District Court judge declined the application on November 2, 2022, finalizing Bell's election and underscoring the electorate's slim but decisive mandate for leadership change.

Mayoral tenure

Initial priorities and administration

Ben Bell was sworn in as mayor of Gore District on 22 November 2022 during the council's inaugural meeting. One of Bell's immediate priorities was restructuring the council's governance framework to emphasize core operational functions in a "back to basics" manner. He proposed creating six standing committees—covering areas such as finance, infrastructure, and community services—along with five councillor portfolios to distribute responsibilities more explicitly and improve decision-making focus. This initiative aimed to address perceived inefficiencies in prior council operations by clarifying roles and enhancing accountability, though it required council approval and faced scrutiny over implementation details. Council administration assessed the proposal as potentially increasing annual governance expenditures by approximately $300,000, primarily due to additional support staffing and meeting logistics. Bell proceeded with these foundational changes amid his transition into office, taking a short leave after the initial weeks to regroup before further advancing administrative setup.

Response to 2023 southern floods

In response to heavy rainfall on 21 2023 that delivered 102 mm across the Gore District in 24 hours, causing widespread surface flooding, road closures, and system overloads, Ben Bell declared a local that afternoon. This activation granted additional powers to Southland for coordinated response, including property protection measures such as sandbagging by council staff working overtime. Bell directed residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel to minimize risks, while notifying of the situation; a temporary plant failure was also addressed amid infrastructure assessments. No large-scale evacuations occurred, though an evacuation centre was prepared in nearby Mataura as a precaution. The emergency status was lifted on 22 September 2023 after rainfall eased and surface waters receded, allowing many roads to reopen and cleanup to commence, with the publicly praising the community's response for aiding swift stabilization. A February 2025 independent review of Southland's identified challenges during the Gore flooding, such as staff shortages that hampered operational capacity, recommending enhancements in training and resourcing. Bell disputed the review's implication that Gore's declaration was premature, arguing it enabled proactive measures that contained impacts without major reported property losses or prolonged disruptions. In a post-event , he emphasized the floods as evidence necessitating dual investments in flood mitigation infrastructure and long-term adaptation planning to build district resilience.

Inter-council cooperation efforts

Following his as in October 2022, Ben Bell promoted inter-council partnerships in Southland and beyond to streamline operations and lower administrative costs through , arguing that duplication among small councils strained ratepayer resources. In early 2024, amid discussions of fiscal efficiencies, Bell endorsed options like to address overlapping functions, emphasizing potential reductions in expenditure without full structural mergers. A key focus emerged in services, where Bell advocated for regional models to counter rising compliance and costs. In 2025, the Gore District under Bell's leadership backed a joint approach for delivery, highlighting the need for collaborative and operations to achieve . By November 2024, Bell publicly supported multi- frameworks, including partnerships with District , as part of the "Local Water Done Well" initiative, which prioritized shared regional delivery over isolated efforts. These efforts yielded exploratory agreements, such as unified stances on reform, though full remained pending amid varying appetites for integration. Bell tempered enthusiasm for broader amalgamation proposals, such as the 2024-2025 Southland reorganization push, deeming smaller-scale mergers a "distraction" that failed to deliver sufficient long-term savings for Gore ratepayers and advocating instead for targeted to preserve local while cutting redundancies. Resistance from traditionalist councils, including preferences for stand-alone operations in areas like , slowed progress, but Bell's initiatives underscored a pragmatic emphasis on verifiable cost benefits over parochial boundaries. The Gore District Council's 2025-2034 Long-term Plan incorporated as a core strategy, reflecting incremental advancements in regional ties.

Financial management and 2025–2026 rates increase

Upon assuming office in 2022, Ben Bell emphasized fiscal prudence in Gore budgeting, addressing longstanding mismatches where rates failed to cover operational expenditures for multiple years. The administration identified opportunities for expenditure efficiencies, including $500,000 in savings during the 2025 Long-Term Plan process, though debates arose over allocating these funds between debt reduction and other priorities. Public consultations for the plan revealed strong resident support for asset sales to curb rising debt, with Bell noting the volume of submissions as indicative of community concern over financial sustainability. Despite these initiatives, council debt continued to climb, with projected annual repayments reaching approximately $2.5 million in the 2024-25 year amid deferred and asset replacement shortfalls. Bell advocated directing savings primarily toward rates to enhance affordability, critiquing decisions that split funds away from immediate resident impacts. The 2025-26 rates increase of 8.82% on district-wide was adopted on June 29, 2025, as part of the 2025-34 Long-Term Plan, opting for smoothed annual rises over sharper front-loaded hikes to balance demands. This approach incorporated debt funding for core operations to avert a potential 24.25% spike, driven by inflation exceeding 2.5% annually and repair costs from the 2023 southern floods that strained capital budgets. The selected rate aligned with the national increase of 8.39% for 2025, positioning Gore comparably amid regional pressures without exceeding prior consultation forecasts of up to 21-24% in alternative scenarios.

2025 Gore mayoral election

Ben Bell sought re-election in the 2025 Gore District mayoral contest, held with voting closing on 10 October 2025 and preliminary results released the same day. He faced a single challenger, local businesswoman Nicky Davis, in a contest centered on fiscal management including rates increases and council debt levels. Bell's platform revisited core 2022 pledges for administrative efficiency and reform, positioning his record against Davis's candidacy, which observers noted appealed to those favoring a return to prior council norms. Bell won decisively, capturing 2,917 votes to Davis's 1,270, a margin exceeding 1,600 votes that represented approximately 70% of the valid ballots cast. This outcome aligned with broader voter turnout trends in Gore, which topped Southland districts at around 45%, reflecting engaged participation amid debates over continuity versus change. Contributing factors included the election of three new councillors—Torrone Smith, Mel Cupit, and Shane McLeod—who polled strongly on platforms emphasizing and fiscal prudence, signaling electorate preference for Bell's ongoing initiatives over reversion to established practices. The result bolstered Bell's mandate, with the substantial vote differential underscoring resident validation of his leadership approach despite internal council frictions. Bell expressed elation at the victory, interpreting it as affirmative public backing for sustained progress in district governance. Voter data thus highlighted a clear endorsement of reform-oriented continuity, enabling Bell to advance priorities unhindered by the prior term's divisions.

Controversies and disputes

Conflicts with Gore District councillors

Following his election in October 2022, Ben Bell encountered tensions with Gore District councillors stemming from his initiatives to overhaul and prioritize fiscal restraint. In November 2022, Bell proposed a "back to basics" restructuring of council committees aimed at broadening participation, though analyses indicated it could add nearly $300,000 in annual costs due to increased meeting demands. By February 2023, uncertainty persisted over committee assignments, reflecting ongoing friction as Bell sought to streamline oversight and decision-making processes. Councillors viewed Bell's style as authoritarian, citing examples such as his departure from a March 2023 council meeting and perceived reluctance to consult, which they argued undermined . They also raised concerns over expenditures like Bell's hiring of a , including a funded trip to that he later reimbursed personally. Bell maintained these actions supported necessary reforms to foster efficiency and accountability, rejecting claims of overreach. Disagreements extended to , where Bell highlighted the district's mounting debt and advocated efficiencies to avert rate hikes. In June 2024, during deliberations on the 2025–2026 , Bell committed to scrutinizing spending reductions amid a proposed rates rise, though ratepayers criticized the council for inadequate focus on cuts over revenue increases. A related flashpoint occurred in September 2023, when the council unanimously abandoned a $130,000 independent review initially approved in April, with Bell arguing internal adjustments had rendered it redundant and cost-prohibitive given ratepayer pressures. These patterns, debated in public council meetings, underscored councillors' emphasis on procedural stability against Bell's data-driven case for structural changes to address fiscal vulnerabilities. By June 2024, Bell noted the council had begun to align more effectively after early discord.

Rift with chief executive Stephen Parry

The rift between Gore Mayor Ben Bell and chief executive Stephen Parry emerged shortly after Bell's on October 17, 2022, stemming from disagreements over administrative support and structures. In 2022, Bell's request for a , estimated at $70,000–$80,000 annually, was rejected by councillors, highlighting early tensions in and Bell's push for enhanced mayoral capacity. Further clashes arose over a proposed manual revision, which Parry and some councillors viewed as an overreach into operational matters, costing the council additional administrative expenses. These disputes reflected Bell's advocacy for performance accountability, including calls for reviews of executive functions, contrasted against Parry's resistance, which Bell attributed to entrenched bureaucratic inertia. By early 2023, direct communication between Bell and Parry had collapsed, with the pair relying on intermediaries such as Councillor Richard McPhail for essential exchanges, as one-on-one meetings ceased. Parry publicly stated that trust had "eroded significantly," citing Bell's preference for external advisors and unresponsiveness to post-election outreach attempts, while Bell described feeling isolated as "a council of one" amid perceived obstruction. Public accusations surfaced indirectly through leaks of in-committee discussions, including claims of misconduct leveled against Parry by former staff, prompting Bell to support an independent review of leadership and governance approved on April 18, 2023; however, no formal investigation findings were released by the time of Parry's departure, underscoring delays in accountability mechanisms. A mediation effort in December 2022 failed to mend relations, leading to an extraordinary council meeting on March 28, 2023, where an intermediary was formally appointed. Parry tendered his resignation on September 1, 2023, after 22 years in the role, citing untenable circumstances amid the ongoing breakdown, a failed mediation process, and a public petition with 4,858 signatures demanding his exit over alleged bullying of prior employees. The council's June 2023 apology to Parry for reputational harm and privacy breaches, issued collectively including by Bell, acknowledged procedural errors but did little to restore functionality, as the pair's irreparable relationship—described by Parry as beyond repair—exposed structural vulnerabilities in the mayor-CEO dynamic under New Zealand's local government model. Post-resignation, council operations achieved interim stability with recruitment for a successor underway, though the episode revealed persistent challenges in balancing elected oversight with appointed executive autonomy, evidenced by prior staff turnover and deferred reviews.

Attempted vote of no confidence

In May 2023, Gore District councillors scheduled an extraordinary meeting to consider a motion of no confidence in Mayor Ben Bell, amid ongoing internal tensions following his narrow election victory in October 2022. The proposed motion stated that the council pass a vote of no confidence in the mayor and call for his immediate resignation, though passage would not legally compel resignation under New Zealand local government rules. Councillors cited grounds centered on Bell's , including allegations of inadequate communication, unwillingness to listen to advice, and a perceived overreach of resembling "presidential powers." Specific incidents referenced included Bell hiring a whose Wellington trip funding was later self-covered, walking out of a March 2023 council meeting, and questions over his time management; these were linked to broader claims of eroded trust with chief executive Stephen Parry and negative impacts on staff . However, an independent commissioned in April 2023 failed to resolve the disputes, and for the claims remained largely anecdotal, focusing on interpersonal dynamics rather than verifiable misconduct. Bell defended his approach by denying any intent to undermine Parry or the council, attributing communication lapses—such as a —to preferences for or text, and emphasizing his electoral mandate from voters despite the slim margin. Supporters, including the Mataura Board chair, described the ouster effort as "ridiculous," noting pre-existing workplace issues at the council predating Bell's tenure. On May 16, 2023, the motion collapsed when no stepped forward to move or second it after a call for a motioner, prompting cheers from a packed public gallery and shifting the meeting toward a conciliatory resolution, including plans for external facilitation workshops. The failure underscored a lack of unified support for removal, contrasting with evident public backing at the meeting and highlighting a divergence between elected representatives' views and voter preferences, as Bell's 2022 win reflected direct democratic endorsement despite internal council discord.

References

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  2. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2jyoh3jqf1cxbyquq7f7
  3. https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/the-ensign/bell-standing-again
  4. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gore-mayor-ben-bell-and-rift-with-ceo-inside-the-relationship-breakdown-tearing-a-town-apart/ZTAAA5WRWBGD5MYTMOKJQT5WWQ/
  5. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/132039445/gore-mayor-ben-bell-denies-allegations-by-councillors-says-its-heartbreaking
  6. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2vsy5r3061cxby870vg5
  7. https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360851365/ben-bell-re-elected-gore-mayor
  8. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kapiti-news/news/ben-bell-from-small-town-otaki-to-gore-mayor/IPIJR4FMUQMMYDHAHW27RZ24Z4/
  9. https://m.facebook.com/RealLifeZB/photos/this-week-johns-guest-will-be-ben-bell-the-mayor-of-goreben-grew-up-in-otaki-and/1065069151864117/
  10. https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/87348123/qa-benjamin-bell-on-his-invention-wellbands-and-his-postschool-plans
  11. https://www.reallife.nz/guests/ben-bell
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  13. https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/real-life/audio/ben-bell-mayor-of-gore/
  14. https://www.lgnz.co.nz/about-lgnz/who-we-are/national-committees/young-elected-members-committee/ben-bell/
  15. https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/entrepreneur-running-top-job
  16. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129425320/team-hokonui-announces-candidates-for-mayoralty-and-council-in-gore
  17. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2j25ws7sb1cxby8k2xwl
  18. https://policy.nz/2022/gore-district-council-mayoral/candidates/ben-bell-gor
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  20. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/567021/scandal-division-and-rumours-gore-district-council-s-tumultuous-term
  21. https://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/Local-Elections/%24file/Local-Authority-Election-Statistics-2022-1.xlsm
  22. https://taituara.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=453
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  24. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130603979/back-to-basics-gore-mayors-proposed-governance-structure-could-cost-nearly-300k-more
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  32. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?page=5
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  34. https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/01/tough-review-for-southern-emergency-management/
  35. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515049/proposed-21-point-4-percent-rates-rise-hardest-issue-for-problem-ridden-gore-council
  36. https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/this-isnt-working-gores-financial
  37. https://lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz/swdw/gore-district-council-backs-joint-council-water-services-model
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  39. https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/central-otago-gore-district-councils-unified-on-water-services/6748f15136644e002d9463a0
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  41. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350404930/clark-wants-stand-alone-focus-citys-water-planning
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  43. https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360673235/submitters-back-sale-gore-council-assets-reduce-debt
  44. https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/council-proposes-rates-rise
  45. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2up7u7zl01cxby848004
  46. https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360741089/gore-rates-rise-average-882-council-punished-auditor-generals-office
  47. https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/gore-we-have-a-big-financial-problem
  48. https://lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz/ltp2025/should-council-smooth-rates-increases-debt-funding-operations
  49. https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/rates_dashboard_2025
  50. https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/rates-rise-be-99-24
  51. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/570360/gore-mayoralty-rates-debt-hot-topics-as-ben-bell-nicky-davis-square-off
  52. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-elections-2025-gores-youngest-mayor-ben-bell-re-elected-after-term-of-conflict-no-confidence-vote/I6GC5UN5BJGDBFEUSYPS3MZ25A/
  53. https://www.goredc.govt.nz/council/news?item=id:2vtqssm0x17q9sc72402
  54. https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/gore-ben-bell-re-elected-by-big-margin
  55. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360852376/his-council-wanted-him-gone-people-gave-mayor-second-run
  56. https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/ben-bell-wins-second-term-gore-mayor
  57. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/131232172/gore-mayor-ben-bell-throws-governance-curveball-at-councillors
  58. https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-05-2023/so-what-exactly-is-gore-mayor-ben-bell-accused-of
  59. https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/the-ensign/efficiency-key-achieving-affordable-future
  60. https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350309061/they-didnt-even-try-ratepayer-upset-after-gore-council-discusses-rates-increase
  61. https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/09/14/for-whom-the-bell-tolls/
  62. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/real-life-gore-mayor-ben-bell-admits-he-considered-resigning-amid-horrible-council-rift/ELDEX4YNY5BNTBUCRGYA3YNJPU/
  63. https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/09/05/ceo-resignation-closes-chapter-on-horrific-situation/
  64. https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/04/gore-council-chief-executive-stephen-parry-resigns/
  65. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gore-mayor-ben-bell-and-councillors-apologise-to-ceo-stephen-parry-agree-to-collaborate/SDGTMCW2AZGBFACI7NZZ74WAR4/
  66. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/490008/vote-of-no-confidence-in-gore-mayor-ben-bell-fails-to-get-support
  67. https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/gore-ditches-no-confidence-vote-in-24-year-old-mayor-ben-bell
  68. https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/05/16/gore-mayor-ben-bell-survives-symbolic-no-confidence-vote/
  69. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/131645919/very-strained-relationship-between-gore-mayor-and-council-chief-executive-sinks-to-new-low
  70. https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/05/15/council-staff-extremely-unprofessional-towards-gore-mayor-ben-bell-at-times-board-chair-says/
  71. https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/05/11/gore-allegations-pre-date-new-mayor/
  72. https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/no-confidence-vote-ben-bell-abandoned
  73. https://www.lgnz.co.nz/news/media-releases/gore-district-council-takes-step-in-the-right-direction/
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