Dannevirke: Johns rejoins council after byelection win

Woodville's Peter Johns will return to the Tararua District Council chamber after taking out the byelection for the south ward vacancy. Photo / Christine McKay

Woodville's Peter Johns will return to the Tararua District Council chamber after taking out the byelection for the south ward vacancy.

Mr Johns received 891 of the 1696 votes cast, 30.8 per cent of the population.

His byelection rival, Andy Thompson of Ballance, scored 798 votes.

The vacancy arose after Eketahuna's Warren Davidson suddenly resigned on July 29, blaming abuse and bullying from mayor Roly Ellis and chief executive Blair King. The council subsequently announced an external review of procedures and processes by Local Government New Zealand.

Mr Johns lost his seat on the council at the last local body elections. During the recent campaign he told the Dannevirke News he felt strongly the three southern districts, Woodville, Pahiatua and Eketahuna, should each have their own representation on the council, after his loss left Woodville without a local representative.

"It's got to be seen as fair," he said.