Labour MP Ta¯mati Coffey voted off Rotorua Trust
Former Waiariki MP Ta¯ mati Coffey has been unsuccessful in his bid for a third term on the Rotorua Trust.
It comes as preliminary results on the trust’s election are published, which show the return of four out of five candidates who stood for reelection.
Last election, Coffey came second out of 30 candidates but in 2022 dropped to ninth out of 16 candidates. Voting closed on November 19.
Coffey took to social media on Saturday to announce he had been unsuccessful, saying he had six “great years” as deputy chairman on the Rotorua Trust and was “pleased to have served the local community” and he had enjoyed meeting community groups who “keep our city alive”.
“Thanks to those who supported me into this role but, for me, it’s never been about the trustees, and only ever about the value of the trust to the community. I wish the new trust all the best as we face globally uncertain times.
“Next year is general election year and I’m keeping focused on the big local issues notably, enabling more home building in Rotorua, so we can get out of motels. And ensuring our community feel safe in our city. That’s my focus. On and up.”
Coffey’s candidate statement said he pledged his dedication to the trust “in exchange for your support for one final term”.
Stewart Edward, who was chairman last term, was backed by voters as the highest-polling candidate with 5720 votes.
Current Rotorua District councillors Fisher Wang and Gregg Brown were also elected, Brown for his second term. Wang was the second-highest-polling candidate with 5334 votes, after being the highest-polling councillor candidate in the council election.
Merepeka Raukawa-tait, who was unsuccessful in her bid for re-election to the council, was successful in her re-election to the trust - by 165 votes.
Mike Keefe was also successful in his second shot at election to the trust. Catherine Cooney rounded out the six seats at the table.
Also unsuccessful in their election bids were former Rotorua District councillor Mercia Yates, who came eighth, Rotorua Business Chamber chairman Bryce Heard and local businessman Brett Marvelly.
Formerly known as the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, or RECT, the trust was formed in 1994 out of the sale of Rotorua Electricity Limited.
Sale proceeds formed the charitable trust, which had amassed a fund of about $160 million. Trustees decided future funding allocations and investments.
In late November, Rotorua Trust chief executive Jackie Mccullough said grants from the trust had “boosted” health services, education, training and employment programmes, social initiatives and sporting and culture events.
“Over the years, the trust has also been involved in capital projects, such as the Energy Events Centre, Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Parksyde, and The Arts Village.”
Preliminary results showed 11,164 people voted in the trust’s 2022 election, representing 22.6 per cent of eligible voters, down from 12,114 in 2019.
Of the 11,164 votes, an overwhelming majority - 82.4 per cent - were by postal ballot, while 17.6 per cent of votes were made online. In 2019, 14.6 per cent of voters cast their votes online.
Finalised results are expected soon.
■ Local Democracy Reporting is public interest journalism funded by NZ On Air.