Big changes with five Disctrict Council newcomers

Huge political changes lie ahead for Western Bay of Plenty District Council after five new faces were elected to represent the district for the next three years.
The new councillors are Norm Mayo (Katikati ward), Annie Gilmer (Waihi Beach ward), Garry Webber, Gwenda Merriman (Kaimai ward) and Michael Pittar (Te Puke ward). They were elected after four senior councillors - Norm Bruning, Jo Gravit, Michael Jones and Sam Dunlop - decided to step down and Ross Goudie was dumped.
After being elected mayor nearly two years ago after Graeme Weld died, Ross Paterson was unchallenged.
He was positive about the significant changes to Western Bay District Council and said the new candidates would fit in well.
"I'm quite pleased with the calibre and standard of candidates we have in the Western Bay," he said. "Overall, the people who stood and the people who are coming in were a very high calibre and we're got some very good people coming in."
Mr Paterson said the changes were exciting: "I'm very positive about the new team of councillors and I believe they will serve the district well."
Mr Paterson was elected unopposed, as were the three nominees for the three seats on Western Bay's Te Puke Ward - Maureen Burgess, Paul Thomas and political campaigner Michael Pittar.
The elections included some notable results, including 74-year-old Norm Mayo returning to join Mike Williams on the Katikati Ward.
The position opened when Cr Dunlop stood down after 12 years in council.
Mr Mayo was "thrilled" to be re-elected after having been ousted in 2007 after nine years in council.
"I'm pleased to be back and I hope that I can make a difference," he said.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was Mr Goudie's exit from the Waihi Beach ward. He was ousted after six years as a councillor with Annie Gilmer taking his place. Preliminary results showed 119 votes between them.
The departure of longstanding Cr Bruning (18 years) and Cr Gravit (nine years) left two vacancies on the council's four-seat Kaimai ward. These were snapped up by Garry Webber and Gwenda Merriman, who will join Don Thwaites and Margaret Murray-Benge.
Representatives for the Maketu ward remained unchanged, with Sue Matthews and Kevin Marsh stepping up for another term.
Voter apathy remained consistent in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council election, with just over one third of voters submitting their papers.
About 10,000 people returned votes, 33.6 per cent, which was a 0.4 per cent increase on the 2007 election.
A meeting will be held tomorrow.
Mr Paterson said it would be a good time for the new councillors to meet existing members.
WHO'S IN/WHO'S OUT
RE-ELECTED: Ross Paterson (unopposed as mayor), Margaret Murray-Benge, Don Thwaites, Mike Williams, Sue Matthews, Kevin Marsh, Maureen Burgess, Paul Thomas.
NEW: Norm Mayo (Katikati ward), Annie Gilmer (Waihi Beach ward), Garry Webber, Gwenda Merriman (Kaimai ward), Michael Pittar (Te Puke ward).
OUSTED: Ross Goudie.