Amanda Clinton-Gohdes Launches Campaign for New Plymouth Seat

Former New Plymouth District councillor Amanda Clinton-Gohdes has officially launched her campaign to secure a seat in Parliament as the Labour Party candidate for New Plymouth. Announced on October 20, 2023, Clinton-Gohdes aims to challenge incumbent National MP David MacLeod in the upcoming election scheduled for November 2023. Her campaign focuses on critical local issues, including housing and economic transition, which she believes require central government intervention.

Clinton-Gohdes, who previously served two terms on the New Plymouth District Council, was endorsed by Glen Bennett, the current Labour MP for New Plymouth. Bennett, who won the seat in the 2020 election but lost it in 2023, decided not to run again, paving the way for Clinton-Gohdes to step into the race.

Focusing on Local Challenges at a National Level

In her campaign, Clinton-Gohdes has emphasized that many of the local issues she addressed during her council tenure need a broader governmental approach. “I made a start on some of those issues locally, but I’m keen to continue working on them at the national level,” she stated.

The region is currently at a “crossroads” as it faces economic changes and increasing pressures on housing and public services. Clinton-Gohdes highlighted the need for secure employment opportunities, particularly within Taranaki’s energy sector, which has been marked by uncertainty. “People want to understand that they have secure jobs, that they have well-paying jobs and that there are job opportunities in the future,” she said.

To facilitate this, she advocates for a bipartisan agreement on a long-term transition plan for the energy sector. This would provide workers and businesses with much-needed certainty in a time of change.

Addressing Housing and Social Issues

Housing continues to be one of the most pressing challenges for the New Plymouth district. Clinton-Gohdes pointed out her contributions while serving on the council, including an initiative to increase the number of council-owned units for elderly residents — the first expansion in four decades. “Our district has not been provided its fair share of social housing, and it’s something that really needs to be strongly pushed for our people,” she remarked.

The former councillor believes that enhancing housing supply will ease pressure on the wider market and facilitate the development of more homes. She noted that housing issues are closely linked to broader social challenges, including homelessness, which she described as a “complex situation” she had worked to address during her time in local government.

In addition to housing, Clinton-Gohdes plans to prioritize health and education in her campaign, especially in rural areas where services are strained. She mentioned the anticipated opening of a hospital rebuild funded by the Labour Government, calling it a significant turning point for health services in the region.

Despite narrowly missing out on a council seat by just 134 votes in the 2025 election, Clinton-Gohdes believes that reconnecting with disengaged voters will be key to Labour’s success in the New Plymouth electorate. “The New Plymouth seat was often decided by small margins, making it important that people enrolled and voted,” she explained.

Clinton-Gohdes, who grew up in a household where her mother struggled financially, expressed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by many in her community. “I understand what that feels like and I am determined that people in our community who are experiencing those same struggles are listened to and their stories are taken to places where the decisions get made,” she said.

Married to Justin and a mother of two young boys, Clinton-Gohdes indicated that her decision to enter central government politics was a careful family consideration. She also noted her respect for incumbent MP MacLeod, with whom she has collaborated on housing issues during her council tenure.

As the campaign progresses, Clinton-Gohdes is focused on ensuring that the voices of her constituents resonate in discussions that shape future policies and decisions affecting their lives.