Rookie woman rocks polls

By STAFF REPORTERS

Nine new mayors have swept to power in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, including two newcomers to local body politics.

In the biggest upset, rookie Jan Beange, Tauranga's first woman mayor, snatched victory from under the nose of incumbent deputy mayor and election favourite Stuart Crosby by 1822 votes.

In Taupo, Clayton Stent also made his council debut at the top with a 1383-vote sweep.

And in Auckland, former Police Minister and National MP John Banks beat sitting mayor Christine Fletcher with a majority that will allow him to push through plans to shake up the council, crack down on unruly inner-city behaviour and make a start on two controversial motorways.

Other new mayors were David Braithwaite in Hamilton, Peter Harris in Waikato District, Alan Livingston in Waipa, Allan Andrews in Waitomo, Graeme Weld in Western Bay of Plenty, John Forbes in Opotiki and Malcolm Campbell in Kawerau.

Elsewhere, Ruapehu District dumped Weston Kirton and voted in Sue Morris, and Gisborne elected new mayor Meng Foon.

But poor voter turnout plagued the country, particularly in the main centres, where it was between 43 per cent and 56 per cent and the lowest of the last five elections, prompting Local Government Minister Sandra Lee to call for compulsory voting.

"New Zealanders just have to put their hands up when it comes to local government and admit that they're apathetic and indifferent.

"I think that's a real shame because so much of what impacts politically on people's lives are carried out by their regional and city councils."

National List MP Marie Hasler said the Government should investigate whether postal voting was too impersonal.

In Tauranga, Jan Beange, a lawyer and mother, was up against seven men and waged a low-budget "David and Goliath" campaign against deputy mayor and 15-year local body veteran Mr Crosby.

A disappointed Mr Crosby said she would need a lot of help, "and I like to think I am professional in that regard".

With a new mayor and six new councillors, it was a big call, Mr Crosby said.

But Tauranga region Chamber of Commerce president Bruce McCutcheon said Jan Beange would bring a fresh approach to the job.

She was intelligent, smart, careful and would make a "bloody good team captain".

In Hamilton, it was third-time lucky for Mr Braithwaite, who is following in the local body footsteps of his father, mother and grandfather.

After three attempts at becoming mayor, he beat incumbent Russ Rimmington in a landslide victory with almost twice as many votes and a 7688 majority.

"I didn't anticipate this level of support," a jubilant Mr Braithwaite told the Herald yesterday.

"But I knew I had support to get this council working together, treat people with respect, identify the city's strengths and help it to grow without increasing the council's debt."

Mr Rimmington had just one term as mayor and was shaken at his loss, admitting he "might have over-cooked it".

But he was proud of his achievements, which included the town's new sewerage scheme, transport centre and stadium.

The previous council was plagued by infighting and Mr Braithwaite hoped to get it working together. "We have to maintain a certain standard. You can disagree and have debates but you have to accept decisions and move on."

A new celebrity council in Hamilton includes television garden expert Bill Ward from Maggie's Garden Show and convicted fraudster and former Kiwi Air boss Ewan Wilson.

The highest-polling councillor in Hamilton's south ward, Mr Wilson admits he made mistakes but the people of Hamilton had given him a second chance.

Auckland's other mayors, Waitakere's Bob Harvey, Manukau's Sir Barry Curtis and North Shore's George Wood, were re-elected.

But Wellington has a new mayor. Kerry Prendergast, the capital's deputy mayor for the past six years, was yesterday provisionally named to succeed popular outgoing Mayor Mark Blumsky.

The final result, including special votes, is due on Wednesday, but yesterday she had a healthy lead of more than 8000 votes.

In Christchurch, Garry Moore kept the mayoralty, comfortably heading off a challenge by former talkback host George Balani, and in Dunedin Sukhi Turner was returned for a third term.

In Northland districts all three incumbents were returned.

Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp had a majority of more than 10,000 and Kaipara Mayor Graeme Ramsey was elected unopposed.

Whangarei Mayor Craig Brown did not have such an easy time, securing his position by little more than 500 votes over his main rival.

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