Changing of mayoral guard marked

WELCOME: Carterton School Kapa Haka performing at the official welcome.

Carterton's new mayor, John Booth, was given the official mayoral chains by former mayor Ron Mark at a meeting on Friday.

Carterton District Council held a special meeting at the Carterton Events Centre to officially welcome Mr Booth and to farewell Mr Mark.

Mr Mark resigned in September in order to take up his role as an MP for NZ First and Mr Booth was elected unopposed in October.

Mr Booth said the official welcome was a wonderful moment, which he shared with his wife, mother-in-law, three adult children and five grandchildren who all attended the ceremony.

"It was a very special occasion, we had a wonderful contribution from the kapa paka group at Carterton School.

"They did an amazing job which added to the occasion."

Mr Mark received a silver memento tray from the council in recognition of his four years of service and passed over the mayoral chains of office to Mr Booth.

Mr Booth also nominated councillor Elaine Brazendale to take on his former role as deputy mayor, which was seconded by councillor Greg Lang and unanimously supported by the rest of council. She has accepted the role.

A by-election will be held on November 24 to select a new councillor to replace Mr Booth and the results will be announced in mid-February next year.