New mayors for North Canterbury
North Canterbury will get three new mayors with the retirement of Winston Gray in Kaiko¯ ura, Winton Dalley in Hurunui, and David Ayers in Waimakariri.
Kaiko¯ ura has a mix of seasoned council experience and new blood to choose from.
Former deputy mayor and councillor John Diver, former councillor Darlene Morgan and sitting councillor Craig Mackle are joined by Rob Roche and Sharon Rayner in the race. There are just seven nominations for the seven councillor positions.
The Hurunui district is certain to elect its first female mayor with current deputy mayor Marie Black, councillor Julia McLean, and Peggy Burrows the three contenders, while 13 nominations have been received for councillor positions.
The Waimakariri voter will have to pick a new mayor from nine nominations. Councillors Dan Gordon, Wendy Doody, Paul Williams, Robbie Brine and Kirstyn Barnett are in the running, along with former army officer Oliver Sanderson, Natalie Leary, Jay Webb and Michael Bate.
There are also 21 names nominated for a seat around the council table.
In the two-man Selwyn mayoralty race, self-confessed election addict and the district’s first mayor, Bill Woods, will try to beat incumbent mayor Sam Broughton, who is seeking a second term in the job.
Ashburton mayor Donna Favel is also seeking a second term and has three contenders: councillor Leen Braam, deputy mayor Neil Brown, and retired businessman Tony Todd. There is no shortage of council candidates either, with 10 nominations for the five seats on the Ashburton ward.