Rotorua's first female mayor sworn in

Steve Chadwick, swearing in youngest district councillor Tania Tapsell. Photo/Ben Fraser

The city's first female mayor was sworn in last night in front of a packed Rotorua District Council Chamber.

Steve Chadwick bolted home in Rotorua's recent local government elections beating former mayor Kevin Winters by more than 6800 votes. Last night, at the first district council meeting of the new term, she paid tribute to those who had helped her into office, promising Rotorua that she would do her very best to live up to the promises she made during the election.

The meeting began with an introduction from Te Arawa kaumatua Pihopa Kingi who also made special mention of Rotorua's youngest councillor Tania Tapsell.

New council chief executive Geoff Williams then took over proceedings and officially swore in Mrs Chadwick to rapturous applause and a standing ovation.

"I stand before you today as the elected leader of the community that I love ... the community that has given me the opportunity and challenge to show a new and different leadership for the next era of change in our wonderful place," she said.

She also praised her husband John, who was dressed in a suit, rather than in his traditional dress Hawaiian shirt, for his "understated love, support and pride in our achievements together".

"He is so tolerant and clever and on any given day you can never be sure what he will come up with next. With him, life is never boring."

Mrs Chadwick spoke about her success in central government and some of her hopes for the future.

"I will be focused on building a team of skilled and committed individuals to develop a broader and deeper sense of community involvement to make our dreams come true. We all agree that vision, drive and sustainable growth are the key to making that happen. Let's recreate ourselves, let's define a new attitude that expresses pride and a sense of place and purpose, let's make this city buzz with excitement and expectation. That's where I'm heading - why don't you join me?"

Mrs Chadwick then took over the meeting from Mr Williams, swearing in her new deputy mayor Dave Donaldson and the remaining 11 district councillors, including the newly elected Peter Bentley, Rob Kent and Tania Tapsell. The new council then got on with business with the first major agenda item being the council's Annual Report.