KEY POINTS:
Outspoken Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws will not seek re-election next year.
Mr Laws, a former National and New Zealand First MP, is also a Radio Live talkback host and became a father again this year.
Announcing his decision, he said that before the 2004 local elections he had said he had aimed to make changes in Wanganui.
"I saw my role as a reformer rather than as a local body politician. That's why I don't take the mayoral salary."
He said he had expected the changes he wanted to make would take five years.
"Instead, it has taken only two years."
His priorities had changed since the birth of his two girls, Lucy in December 2004 and Zoe in August this year.
"When I announced my candidacy in February 2004, I did not expect to be a father again. I work 60 hours-plus a week on the mayoralty and those are hours I'm directly taking away from my family and children."
Controversy has never been far away during his term.
In September he referred to the dead Tongan King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV as a "brown slug" and refused to lower the council flag to half-mast, sparking dissension in the council ranks.
In June he was found not guilty of breaching his council's code of conduct for his outspoken approach, including referring to opponents as "nutters" and "inbreds".
In February, the Broadcasting Standards Authority upheld a complaint that on his Radio Live show he alleged Exclusive Brethren members were "mad, ignorant, bad neighbours, and probable child abusers who should be bred out of the human race".
Wanganui artist Emma Camden, who has had public disputes with Mr Laws, said it was good news for the town that he was not going to contest the next mayoral election.
"I think he has given the town more than its fair share of bad publicity."
She said locals were "ecstatic" that Mr Laws had decided not to stand.
"I think there was a lot of relief on the streets yesterday."
Ms Camden said she realised it was Mr Laws' style to be brash, which was good for his radio show.
"But I hope it's the end of the era of minor personalities thinking they can be good for small towns."
Mr Laws yesterday said he did not regret his often controversial approach or "ruffling a few feathers".
"I speak the truth, as I see it. One should never apologise for honesty."
He listed streamlining council management, making council finances more accountable and low rates increases as the biggest achievements of his mayoralty.
He confirmed that he had signed a five-year deal to continue his 9am-noon talkback show.
- NZPA
