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Two New Plymouth councillors at the heart of a code of conduct hearing only last month will face off again in a race for the city’s top brass.

How many district councillors should represent Waitara and surrounding areas was a hot topic for discussion at a submissions hearing in New Plymouth on Wednesday.

At the other end of the scale, Murray Chong, Harry Duynhoven, Colin Johnston and Dinnie Moeahu had no conflicts listed as at the end of March. Tony Bedford: Taranaki Electricity Trust (Trustee), Waitara Services and Citizens Club (Member), Hurricanes Alumni (Member), Hurricanes Schools Council (Life Member), Residential Property Owner, Family Trust, Taranaki Electricity Trust, Hurricanes Alumni (Trustee), Taranaki Elite Athletes Foundation (Council appointee). Sam Bennett: Speaking Made Easy (Ownership of company and contract with NPDC), Full Circle Bespoke Life Events, Heart of Brooklands, ...

But not all around the Strategy and Operations Committee table agreed, with councillors Murray Chong and Richard Jordan voting against the recommendation. Chong, who has championed a petition calling for a referendum on NPDC's Māori ward, said he wanted to see more binding referendums as they were about hearing from the community. SIMON O'CONNOR/Stuff Councillor Murray Chong said he wanted more referendums, not just on Māori wards. He referred to the last time the council approved a Māori ward, which was later overturned in a referendum. “Six years ago they thought they had it right....