My principal place of residence is in the Taupō District Council area.
I am running because I am concerned that Taupo is becoming unaffordable for too many, whether it is massive rates rises or housing costs that mean our kids & grandkids cannot afford to live here.
As an experienced businessman & pilot I have started and run successful Taupo businesses and know the dead hand of unnecessary regulation kills growth and initiative. We need council to make it easy to build here, whether a large commercial building, granny flat or a garage, not get in the way of good people wanting to spend their own money to make Taupo a better place.
I will be voting against Maori Wards, and I will respect the will of the voters in the Maori Ward referendum.
A vote for John Funnell is a vote to get rates under control, to fix our broken housing market & to return council to core business.
Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.
Contested 1 race — 1 elected
Former rescue chopper pilot John Funnell won the Taupō mayoralty in his first attempt, ousting four-term mayor David Trewavas.
Former rescue pilot John Funnell says he can't hear well when there's background noise.
Former rescue pilot John Funnell thanked voters after winning the mayoralty.
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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.