"Humbled" Yule says he doesn't want to let Hastings down

HAPPY: Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and wife Kerryn celebrate his re-election today. PHOTO WARREN BUCKLAND

Lawrence Yule is thrilled that he's kept the mayoral chains.

His rivals for the Hastings mayoralty, councillor Adrienne Pierce and Lawyer Guy Wellwood didn't even come close.

Mr Yule received 10,458 votes with Mr Wellwood getting 7280 and Ms Pierce 4480.

"I'm thrilled and I'm humbled that (the people) have chosen me to be mayor for another three years," Mr Yule said.

"I knew some people wanted change and I didn't know how the water crisis would impact so I just did what I did and handled it the best I could."

It will be his sixth term as mayor and he insisted it was his last term.

Revitalising Hastings CBD was at the top of his priority list, which includes reopening the Hawke's Bay Opera House.

He also wants to resolve the water issue.

"That's a big thing. People are still talking about it, worrying about the chlorine how did it happen and how we can make sure it doesn't happen again. That's my immediate priority."

"I love my job, I'm passionate about Hastings and Hawke's Bay and the people have given back their trust for another three years and I don't want to let them down, I want to work hard to improve the place we live in."

The councillors elected are: George Lyons, Rod Heaps, Tania Kerr, Ann Redstone, Jacoby Poulan, Henare O'Keefe, Sandra Hazlehurst, Malcolm Dixon, Kevin Watkins, Damon Harvey, Geraldine Travers, Bayden Barber, Simon Nixon and Adrienne Pierce.

Mr Yule said there was a "really good mix" of new blood with Mr Barber, Mrs Travers, Ms Redstone and Mr Harvey.

The surprising omission from the table is Wayne Bradshaw. The 5161 votes counted are not enough to give him a seat around the table.

Mr Yule said Mr Bradshaw had "significantly contributed" to council over nine years.

The Hastings District Rural Community Board members were elected unopposed: Nicholas Dawson (Kaweka Subdivision), Peter Kay (Maraekakaho); Mick Lester (Poukawa); Susan Maxwell (Tutira).

The Flaxmere Licensing Trust members, also elected unopposed, are Martha Greening, Susan Hopkins, Warwick Howie, Kenneth Kibblewhite, Bertram Lincoln and Jacoby Poulain.

This result is based upon the counting of approximately 98 per cent of the returned votes.

The progress result does not include some special votes and votes returned today that are still in transit to the processing centre.