TV stars, beauty queen among winners

John 'Horse' McLeod. Photo / Supplied

An ex-SAS soldier and reality television star, a handyman and a former Miss New Zealand beauty are among those elected to councils around the country.

Those elected to the 85 councils include John "Horse" McLeod, who has been voted in as a councillor in the New Plymouth District Council.

The former SAS soldier appeared on reality television programme Treasure Island and infamously refused to leave the island when he was eliminated.

Another television star - Dave Cull - has also been elected as the new Mayor of Dunedin. Over the years, Mr Cull has been the well-known TV handyman in various home and garden shows, including Maggie's Garden Show.

Meanwhile in Rotorua, former Miss New Zealand Maureen Waaka has been elected as a councillor. Ms Waaka became the first Maori woman to win the beauty title when she took the crown in 1963.

Also elected is Nikki Guy, the sister of murdered Feilding man Scott Guy, who was shot dead in his driveway three months ago.

Ms Guy received the highest number of votes in the Hokowhitu ward and is now a councillor for the Palmerston North City Council. The 32-year-old said the death of her brother had prompted her to stand.

Former Minister of Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven now has another top job, having been voted in as the new Mayor of New Plymouth.

The brother of former Labour minister of the Crown Luamanuvao Winnie Laban - Ken Laban - is keeping politics in the family, ahead in the race for councillor for the Wainuiomata ward.