John Carter keeps mayoral seat
The Far North mayoralty has been retained by John Carter with a convincing lead over his sole rival Peter Gill.
Carter’s tally totalled 10,889 to Gill’s 4,485 votes. Carter says he was pleased that his voting total had increased by over 1500 votes from the 2013 election.
‘‘A good outcome from my point of view. Having said that there are lessons for me and elected members to take from the results.’’
Mayoralty challenger Peter Gill says, ‘‘The people have spoken. The majority say they are happy with the council leadership as it stands. I accept that. There is nothing more to say other than for me to wish John the very best.’’
The results are preliminary and will be subject to confirmation when official results are released on October 13. Only two new faces are likely to be elected as part of the nine person council.
Felicity Foy took one of three councillor seats in the Te Hiku Ward, alongside Colin (Toss) Kitchen and Mate Radich.
‘‘There are lessons for me and elected members to take from the results.’’ Mayor John Carter
Dave Hookway makes his first appearance as a councillor for the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward and joins Willow-Jean Prime, Ann Court and Tania McInnes.
Councillors representing the Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward remain unchanged with John Vujcich and Sally Macauley returning. The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board will see five new members including Mike Edmonds, Kelly Van Gaalen, Shaun Reilly, Emma Davis and Robert Cassidy. Louis Toorenburg will retain his seat for the South Hokianga Subdivision.
Te Hiku Community Board will see new faces in Bronwyn Hunt, Awhina Murupaenga and Nuu Ward joining current members Adele Gardner, Melanie Dalziel and Lawrie Atkinson.
Rachel Smith and Lane Ayr are the only new elected representatives for the Bay of IslandsWhangaroa Community Board. They will join Martin Robinson for the Kerikeri Subdivision. Bruce Mills will continue to represent the Whangaroa Subdivision.
Current board members Terry Greening, Belinda Ward and Kelly Stratford were elected unopposed.
❚ To see John Carter’s full statement visit Neighbourly. Northland Regional Council results are on P9.