Perhaps the most surprising thing about the weekend's election in the Far North is how little will have changed when the new council gathers around the table in Kaikohe.
As well as a re-elected mayor, councillors Colin Kitchen, Tom Baker, Ann Court, Di Maxwell, Steve McNally and Sally Macauley have all
been returned.
They will be joined by Kaikohe's Tracy Dalton, former chair of the Western Community Board; well-known Kaitaia wine maker Monty Knight; and Awanui market gardener Mate Radich.
Mr Radich lives on Spains Rd, which has become infamous for mud, dust and broken promises over sealing. He was among the residents to mount a protest as councillors were driving past in August on their way to a site visit.
With no signs the Government will resume its subsidies for rural seal extensions the state of rural roads is likely to remain a prickly issue.
The councillors making an exit are Laurie Byers, who contested only the mayoralty, and Kaitaia's Dennis Bowman and Ian Bamber. Mr Bowman has been voted onto the Te Hiku Community Board.
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward was hotly contested, with 13 candidates vying for four places. Among those to miss out were community board members Paul Gorringe and Stephen Timings, former council spokesman Rick McCall, ex-Green candidate Martin Leiding, Nora Rameka of Kerikeri hapu Ngati Rehia, and Aroha Island Trust chairwoman Jill Smith. The new council is likely to be relatively harmonious, without the squabbling that characterised the previous council early in its term.
Most councillors were initially elected on Mr Brown's Value for Ratepayers ticket in 2007; those who had been in the opposition camp have since developed working relationships with the often outspoken mayor.
Tracy Dalton and Ann Court, who topped voting in their wards, were expected to be the main contenders for the post of deputy mayor. Councillors Colin Kitchen and Sally Macauley have also been returned to the DHB.
