A new super city mayor, local celebrity candidates and a battle for the top job in quake-stricken Christchurch all helped to lure the biggest number of voters for nearly a decade cast their ballots in this year's local body elections.Len Brown won the top
A new super city mayor, local celebrity candidates and a battle for the top job in quake-stricken Christchurch all helped to lure the biggest number of voters for nearly a decade cast their ballots in this year's local body elections.
Len Brown won the top job in the Auckland region, beating rival John Banks by a margin of 60,000 votes.
His role will not be easy, however, with the new super-sized council being made up of independent, left and right-wing candidates.
Prime Minister John Key and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide have congratulated Mr Brown on winning the mayoralty.
Mr Brown will lead the new super city when it comes into force next month. It replaces eight councils in Auckland.
In an acceptance speech at a conference centre on One Tree Hill today before the official results had been released, Mr Brown said it had been a tough and torrid campaign.
"John and I have given it our very best shot and have covered off all the concerns people could have about how we might and should and could go forward."
Tonight Mr Brown was celebrating at the top of One Tree Hill.
High profile candidate Andrew Williams, former mayor of the North Shore, picked up only 3800 votes, or 0.8% of the overall result.
Mr Hide also congratulated incumbent Christchurch mayor Bob Parker for holding onto his seat following the massive earthquake that damaged much of the city over a month ago.
"This is a fantastic result considering the difficult period Christchurch has been through and I would like to congratulate Mayor Bob Parker on his election for another term."
Mr Parker said it was "humbling" to be re-elected.
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt has won his sixth term with a landslide 16,275 votes, ahead of his nearest rival country singer Suzanne Prentice with 5311 votes.
He said he was relieved with the result and thanked the people of the city for their support.
In Tauranga Stuart Crosby was celebrating being elected for his third term.
Mr Crosby won the election with a majority of 16586 votes, while Murray Guy was runner-up with 4285 votes.
Incumbent Wairoa mayor Les Probert was re-elected for a fourth term with a solid majority over the other four candidates.
He won 1541 votes, compared to Denys Caves on 731, Here Nissen on 285, Garry Cooper on 236 and Alice Freida Wairau on 140.
In the Tararua District former British military man Roly Ellis was elected mayor after incumbent Maureen Reynolds stepped down after four terms.
Mr Ellis gained more than twice the number of votes of his nearest rival David Lea.
Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters won a landslide victory over his nearest rival, Charles Sturt. At 3pm Mr Winters led Mr Sturt by 9770 votes to 5376.
Incumbent Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton has been re-elected for a second term, with a 1183 vote majority over his nearest rival, deputy mayor Gary Kircher.
In Central Otago Tony Lepper won the top job in his first bid at the mayoralty, after serving three terms as deputy mayor.
He gained 2959 votes, more than 500 over his nearest rival, businessman Jeff Hill, while sitting mayor Malcolm Macpherson polled the lowest of the three candidates.
Lawrence Yule retained his seat in Hastings and Napier incumbent mayor Barbara Arnott kept hold of her seat.
In Taupo there was a race down to the wire between Rick Cooper and former Labour Cabinet Minister Mark Burton, with Mr Cooper edging out Mr Burton by 139 votes.
Incumbent Jono Naylor romped to an easy win in Palmerston North by a hefty 15,000 votes.
