Chadwick claims victory in Rotorua mayoral race

Steve Chadwick is celebrating victory, having won another three-year term as mayor of Rotorua.

Mrs Chadwick told the Rotorua Daily Post she had received a call from the Rotorua electoral officer informing her she had won the election with 7880 votes.

Dr Reynold Macpherson of the Rotorua District Residents and ratepayers group, has conceded defeat. He told the Rotorua Daily Post he believed he had lost by about 2000 votes.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay has congratulated Mrs Chadwick on her reelection and said he looked forward to working with her.

Mr McClay said there had been significant progress in Rotorua over the last few years.

"The economy is strong with local GDP growing faster than the national average. Forestry and tourism are doing well and are adding to the strength of the local economy. Our population is growing as jobs are being created, Rotorua is increasingly seen as an attractive place to invest and to live," he said.

"Rotorua is doing well.

"I think we've worked well over the last three years and have shown we are both committed to putting Rotorua first.

"Steve and I have said we will continue to work closely, particularly around housing and economic development. The freeing up of land to build houses and commitment to improve local infrastructure are important to Rotorua's continued growth.

"I congratulate Mayor Chadwick and the entire Rotorua Lakes Council and commit to continuing to work with our new council to make Rotorua an even better place to live, work and play."

Seven people were in the running for the mayoralty - Mrs Chadwick, Dr Macpherson, district councillors Rob Kent and Mark Gould, RangiMarie Kingi, Frances Louis and John Rakei-Clark.

Full preliminary results for the mayor and council are due later today.

More to come.