Cull undecided over mayoral bid
DUNEDIN’S mayor is in no rush to make a decision on any future mayoral aspirations as his closest rivals from the last election also consider their options.
Nominations for this year’s local body elections do not open until July 19 but already mayoral candidates in Wellington, Invercargill, Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland have announced their intentions.
But the race to become mayor of Dunedin is yet to get out of the starting blocks.
Mayor Dave Cull said he was still contemplating whether or not to contest a fourth election in October.
Mr Cull said he was not in any hurry to make an announcement.
‘‘I think it’s more a fact of when other people would want to know by and I’m not putting a date on it in the meantime.’’
Both of Mr Cull’s closest rivals in 2016 have also not made a decision yet.
Cr Lee Vandervis said his family’s circumstances had changed since 2016 and he needed to consider that before making a serious bid for the mayoralty.
‘‘Having run several mayoral campaigns by now I have become very aware of the bitterness and criticism that goes with them.
‘‘So I am not keen to rush in.’’
Cr Vandervis said he had also been approached to stand for the Otago Regional Council, which he was considering.
Another 2016 mayoral candidate, Barry Timmings, said he was undecided about standing again.
Mr Timmings, who came third in 2016, said he had decided on his candidacy late last time and there were advantages to following that strategy again.
Cr Jim O’Malley said he was ‘‘leaning’’ towards another mayoral campaign.
While he was ‘‘60% sure’’, Cr O’Malley said he needed to be sure he could juggle mayoral duties and his other commitments, which included his fledgling biotech company.
Both Crs Christine Garey and Conrad Stedman said they were also considering a bid.
Former mayoral candidate Aaron Hawkins said he had no interest in challenging the mayor for ‘‘his job’’.
Another former candidate Cr Andrew Whiley said he would not stand again unless he was encouraged to do so, while Cr Rachel Elder said she was yet to decide.
Two candidates, Scout BarberEvans and Carmen Houlahan, have confirmed they will contest both the council and mayoral elections.