Hurunui Mayor Re-elected Unopposed for Third Term

The mayor of Hurunui District Council, Marie Black, has been re-elected unopposed for her third term. The announcement came as a relief for Black, who expressed a sense of anticipation regarding the composition of the council. The recently released progress results indicate that she will work alongside six sitting councillors and four newly elected councillors over the next three years.

Black shared her enthusiasm for the election outcome, stating, “I’m delighted with the result. We’ve got some strength in the experienced councillors and some fresh voices.” The uncertainty surrounding the new council’s dynamics has now been alleviated, allowing for focused planning ahead.

New Council Composition and Upcoming Meetings

The newly constituted council will commence its duties following Labour weekend, with a two-day induction program scheduled. The first official meeting is set for October 30, 2023, during which councillors will be sworn in and the deputy mayor will be elected.

The Hanmer Springs Community Board and the newly formed South Ward Community Board will also be sworn in next month. Additionally, Hamish Dobbie, the council’s chief executive, will announce a by-election to fill a vacancy on the Hanmer Springs Community Board. This decision follows the receipt of only four nominations for five available positions.

The current councillors re-elected include Pauline White and Robbie Bruerton from the south ward, as well as Dave Hislop and Tom Davies from the west ward. New councillors joining the council are Brett Jones and Steve Hutt in the south ward, and Chris Scarlett and Christopher Carthy in the west ward. In the east ward, councillors Vince Daly and Fiona Harris were also re-elected unopposed.

Election Results Breakdown

The progress results for the recent election revealed significant support for the candidates. In the west ward, the results indicated that Dave Hislop secured 917 votes, followed closely by Chris Scarlett with 876 votes, and Tom Davies with 868. Christopher Carthy received 665 votes, while Richard E Roe garnered 325 votes.

In the south ward, the election attracted a diverse group of candidates. Robbie Bruerton achieved 975 votes, with Pauline White closely trailing at 949. Brett Jones received 811 votes, while Steve Hutt obtained 616. Other candidates included Tom Spooner with 511 votes, Michael Ennis with 505, Barrie Nunn with 469, Dave Carr with 384, and Lulu Webb with 381 votes.

The South Ward Community Board election also saw considerable participation, with Brett Jones leading with 1,040 votes, followed by Kevin Roche with 925 and James Hyde with 854 votes.

Final results from the elections are expected to be released by Thursday. This new council will have the opportunity to shape the future of the Hurunui District, with a mix of seasoned and new representatives ready to address the community’s needs.