Metro sector chair/Mayor, Palmerston North City Council

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Grant Smith

Grant Smith’s journey into local leadership started with him getting involved in local boards and committees. Like many, he thought the council of the day could be doing better, and rather than speaking from the side-lines, he put his name forward. The rest is history.

In his capacity as Mayor, Grant is a force in putting Palmerston North on the global map. He's not only leading his city but also presiding as the National President of Global Cities New Zealand, actively nurturing international relationships. As a result, the city has established Sister City connections with Guiyang and Kunshan in China, Mihara in Hiroshima, Japan, and Missoula, Montana, USA.

Before his mayoral role, Grant enjoyed a successful career in advertising and marketing. He owned and operated his own agency, where he gained valuable business insights and managed numerous international sporting and cultural events.

Grant's leadership has focused on advancing Palmerston North's diverse economy, with particular emphasis on sectors such as agri-business, food research, education and training, sustainability and renewable energy, defence, and trade.

Outside of work he can be found working on his five-acre lifestyle block and enjoys sport, heritage and the arts.