McDouall leads a much-changed council

Whanganui's new mayor Hamish McDouall

Hamish McDouall is Whanganui's new mayor -- and he leads a significantly changed district council after Saturday's election results.

Old hands Ray Stevens and Rangi Wills were ousted along with councillor Jack Bullock, while the four-strong Whanganui Beyond 2030 block (Alan Taylor, David Bennett, Murray Cleveland and Graeme Young) all have seats at the table.

At just 21, Josh Chandulal-Mackay isn't quite Whanganui's youngest ever councillor, while dentist Hadleigh Reid and former district health board chair Kate Joblin are other new faces.

Rob Vinsen, Charlie Anderson, Jenny Duncan, Helen Craig and Philippa Baker-Hogan were all re-elected.

Mr McDouall said he was excited and a little overwhelmed to be the district's new mayor.

He acknowledged that the new line-up would present some challenges.

"There are some wise heads there, some diversity, some old hands and some youthful energy.

"There will be a lot of learning for the newcomers, but I am exicted to have the chance to pursue things I want to do for the district."

David Bennett who pulled together the Whanganui Beyond 2030 team, said he was delighted with the result.

"It is the result of a lot of hard work and I was not entirely expecting that all four of us would get on to council."

The Bennett team's campaign largely centred around revisiting the wastewater treatment plant issue in the face of council decision to build a $41.2 million replacement.

"As the campaign went on, I felt we were on the right track," he said. "We will look for unanimity on council and a high degree of consensus."

Philippa Baker-Hogan, back on council but with 1500 fewer votes, said she was very appreciative of the communty's support.

"I knew it would be tough, with so many candidates and a faction working hard to push me off. I'm really wanting to work hard for the average ratepayer and keen to progress sport and recreation opportunities in our District over the next three years."