Hastings mayoral race - Wendy Schollum claims the win, but her closest rival hasn’t conceded

Wendy Schollum posted a thank you on social media to those who had elected her as mayor.

Wendy Schollum has thanked the people of Hastings for electing her as mayor, but her closest challenger isn’t prepared to concede just yet.

Based on the counting of approximately 85 per cent of the returned votes, the race on Saturday was being led by Schollum (6177 votes), followed by Marcus Buddo (5853), Steve Gibson (5074) and Damon Harvey (4816).

Buddo, who at this stage is 324 votes behind, said on Saturday afternoon he was awaiting the final results.

Schollum said on social media she was honoured to have been elected mayor of Hastings.

“This election was about what kind of community we want to be.

“Together, we chose to look forward - for an affordable, future-ready Hastings where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and Council leads openly, listens carefully, and thinks long-term,” Schollum said.

She also acknowledged those who have served before her, Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr, Malcolm Dixon, and Ana Apatū, along with colleagues Buddo and Harvey, whose passion and dedication to Hastings had been “immense”.

“While the referendum on Māori wards did not pass, this Council will continue to honor Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure that Māori voices are genuinely heard and represented at every level of decision-making,” she said.

She would become the 23rd mayor of Hastings.

Progress results include votes received up until yesterday evening.

Mayoral candidate Gibson will be on council regardless of the mayoral result after polling the highest for a council seat in the Hastings-Havelock North General Ward, where 17 candidates were vying for seven seats.

Kevin Watkins is back at the Hastings District Council table as is Simon Nixon and Michael Fowler, while newcomer Yvonne Lorkin is in.

At this stage, Henare O’Keefe is in front in the race for the Flaxmere seat with 591 votes, with Henry Heke sitting on 471.

Progress results do not include special votes or votes received this morning.

Preliminary results will be announced on Monday. They include votes received today, but special votes are still not included.

Five mayoral candidates put their hand up for a shot at the top job after Sandra Hazlehurst, the city’s first woman mayor, stepped down after an eight-year tenure.

Mayor (1 vacancy)

SCHOLLUM Wendy 6,177

BUDDO Marcus 5,853

GIBSON Steve 5,074

HARVEY Damon 4,816

WILSON Darrin 969

Hastings-Havelock North General Ward (7 vacancies)

GIBSON Steve 6,576

FOWLER Michael 5,821

LORKIN Yvonne 5,662

WATKINS Kevin 5,269

ROSS Callum 4,701

NIXON Simon 4,059

LATIFF Rizwaana (Riz) 3,835

RATCLIFFE Nick 3,833

FREEMAN Gareth (Gus) 3,824

MCELWEE Lucie-Jane 3,578

SUPRA Jacqueline 3,282

WILSON Darrin 3,144

HICKEY Bernard 2,821

ROBEN Rion 2,509

BENNETT John 2,435

WARD Debbie 2,037

AHMED Sayeed 1,716

Flaxmere General Ward (1 vacancy)

O’KEEFE Henare 591

HEKE Henry 471

Mōhaka General Ward (1 vacancy) Votes Received

NOWELL-USTICKE Derek 654

GOLDSTONE Pagen 541

SCOTT-MCLEAN Kirsty 468

Takitimu Māori Ward (3 vacancies)

TE AU-SKIPWORTH Heather 2,260

JESSUP Kellie 1,651

DANIEL Siiam 1,042

GREENING Sarah 1,021

O’CONNOR Bevan 957

Elected:

The Heretaunga General Ward and Kahuranaki General Ward were uncontested, with Alwyn Corban and Hana Montaperton-Hendry elected unopposed for Heretaunga and Elisha Milmine for Kahuranaki.

Māori ward referendum:

REMOVE the Māori Ward 11,759

KEEP the Māori Ward 10,443

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