Western shootout to Milne

The race for the Hutt City Council has seen two unexpected results.

In the Western Ward, Max Shierlaw has been tipped out by Chris Milne and Margaret Cousins.

Former Hutt News editor Simon Edwards edged out the big-spending Mark Leicester, who has links to the Labour Party, in the Central Ward.

Milne who previously represented the Central Ward despite living in Normandale, contested the Western Ward with the stated aim of unseating Shierlaw.

Although they share similar political views, the pair have made little secret of their dislike for each other around the council table

Shierlaw enjoyed a high profile around the council table and chaired the Finance and Audit committee.

When contacted by Fairfax on Sunday, Shierlaw said he had nothing to say.

In the Central Ward, David Bassett was an easy winner in the ward which had the highest turnout.

Edwards is well known in the ward but ran a relatively low-key campaign.

Leicester began campaigning shortly after Christmas and was the most active candidate across the whole city.

Although he strenuously denied it, there was a view that he used the campaign to raise his profile to contest the Hutt South seat for Labour.

In the Northern Ward, Leigh Sutton replaced the retiring Angus Finlayson.

In the Eastern Ward former councillors Roger Styles and Glenda Barratt face a nervous wait with the pair separated by two votes. In Wainuiomata, Campbell Barry retained his seat but Margaret Willard was tipped out by Josh Briggs.

The fight for seats in the Harbour Ward looked to be a close contest but was easily won by incumbents Tui Lewis and Michael Lulich.

The balance of the council remains unchanged despite the re-election of the left-leaning Lewis, Lulich and Bridson and the election of Briggs. Mayor Ray Wallace should have little trouble finding a majority to work with.

Hutt City Council: Northern Ward Gwen McDonald and Leigh Sutton; Eastern Ward Lisa Bridson and Roger Styles or Glenda Barratt; Western Ward Chris Milne and Margaret Cousins; Central Ward David Bassett and Simon Edwards; Wainuiomata Ward Campbell Barry and John Briggs; Harbour Ward Tui Lewis and Michael Lulich.