Andrew von Dadelszen Concludes 15-Year Tenure as Councillor

Andrew von Dadelszen has officially concluded his 15-year tenure as a councillor for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council following his recent defeat in the local elections. On October 11, 2023, von Dadelszen lost the Tauranga seat to challenger Kat Macmillan by a margin of 248 votes. The final election results were confirmed on Saturday, revealing that he was not the only incumbent to face defeat.

Election Outcomes and Reflections

The election results also indicated that fellow councillors Ron Scott from Tauranga, Lyall Thurston from Rotorua, and Te Taru White from Ōkurei were unable to secure re-election. With a history of service spanning a decade and a half, von Dadelszen expressed his satisfaction with his contributions to the council. He remarked, “I have done my dash,” indicating a sense of closure regarding his political career.

In reflecting on his time in office, von Dadelszen noted that he does not intend to seek re-election in the future. His commitment to the council and the community over the years has been significant, and he emphasized the importance of new leadership coming into play as the region evolves.

Looking Ahead for the Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is poised to welcome new perspectives and ideas as it prepares for the upcoming term. With the election of Kat Macmillan and other new councillors, the council’s composition will shift, potentially influencing future policy and decision-making in the region.

As the council moves forward without von Dadelszen and his colleagues, their legacies will undoubtedly shape the council’s direction. The community is now tasked with supporting the incoming members as they work to address local issues and drive development in the Bay of Plenty region.