Election spending no indicator for success come polling day

Returns for election spending have been filed and while some spent big, others spent nothing, the amount does not seem to indicate a measure of success or failure to capture a seat.

Councillor Sam Jennings, running a campaign for a Levin seat as well as the Mayoralty, was the biggest spender in the 2022 local election.

He dispensed a whopping $11,023 on advertising, Facebook, social media, radio and newspaper ads, billboards, a music licence and some graphic design. He got his seat but not the mayoralty.

Jennings also received $2323 in donations or discounts.

Second biggest spender was Victoria Kaye-Simmons, whose attempt at the mayoralty failed.

She did not run for a Levin ward seat this time, so is out of council.

She spent money on meetings, pamphlets, billboards, signs and newspaper ads cost her $9581.

Her campaign was supported by donations and work to the tune of $5840.

Clint Grimstone spend $7476 on branding, social media, signs, events and newspaper ads.

Mayor Bernie Wanden spent $4060 on ads, marketing, design, signs and leaflet printing.

Five candidates received financial assistance for their campaigns.

Apart from Jennings and KayeSimmons, Trevor Chambers, who did not spend any money on campaigning, received $200, Kelly Tahiwi, who also did not spend any money, received $60, Justin Tamihana got $2000, while spending only $698.98.

Six candidates did neither spend nor receive donations, while four of them were elected, Michael Barker, Ross Brannigan (a long-term councillor, who used materials from previous elections), Jonathan Procter, Lindsay Sanson, Carl van den Berg and Alan Young.

Barker, Brannigan, Procter and Young were elected.

Deputy Mayor David Allan spent $468, Barry Aylward $1051, Rogan Boyle $942, Nola Fox $1056, John Girling $490, filing expenses for his two campaigns separately, Robert Ketu $3,000, Athol Kirk $353, Jane Masoe $930, Troy O’Carroll $1200, Paul Olsen $730, Veronica Pitt $67, David Roache $400, Brett Russell $1278, Piri-Hiri Tukapua $1757.50, and Nina Hori te Pa $1148.