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Election results herald new leadership u by Andy Bryenton
After the last of the special votes were counted on Friday, the announcement was made that Jonathan Larsen would lead the Kaipara District as mayor for the next three years, along with a council that’s a mixture of political veterans and new faces.
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The final votes are in following what has been not only one of the closest run, but also one of the most controversial local body elections in New Zealand. From a narrow margin of just five votes between Mr Larsen and his nearest rival, Snow Tane, when provisional voting totals were released last week, the count dragged on through a week of tension, which also saw an unprecedented emergency meeting regarding allegations of voting irregularities. However, by Friday afternoon the count was complete, and as promised earlier that day by electoral officer Dale Ofsoske, a result was delivered. That result saw Jonathan Larsen take the mayoralty by 3,138 votes to Mr Tane’s 3,117, a margin of just 21 ballots. Jason Smith was not far behind on 3,081, with Ash Nayyar on 1,278. “It was a very close campaign, and it could have gone any way,” said Mr Larsen. “I really fronted on the basis of building stability and unity for the district. I have been there for four terms as a councillor, and we have made some great improvements over the past three years of the last term.” The council, soon to make up the forthcoming Larsen administration, is a blend of political newcomers and familiar faces. In the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward incumbent Rachael Williams gained a second term with a vote of 1,985, ahead of former mayor Craig Jepson who will also return to the council table in the role of councillor, with 1,704 votes. New
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to the role is Luke Canton, who secured the third and final east coast council seat with 1,669 votes, ahead of nearest rival Helen Price by 187 ballots. There were just two seats available in the Ōtamatea Ward, and the campaign for both was a close one. While Mike Schimanski carried the election with 820 votes, a tight contest played out for the second seat, between longtime councillor Mark Vincent and newcomer Denise Rogers. In the preliminary votes Mr Vincent was just ahead, but in the final reckoning he was excluded by only two votes; p Mayor-elect Jonathan Larsen won the highest office in Kaipara in a hard-fought election the tally being Rogers 742, Vincent 740. campaign, the selection of both Mr Larsen Snow Tane may have been defeated and Mr Lambeth for their respective by a narrow margin in the race for roles will see the latter elevated to the the mayoralty, but his popularity as position of deputy mayor, following the a councillor in the Wairoa Ward was inauguration of the new administration. overwhelming. Mr Tane accrued 2,443 This occasion could take place as early as votes to lead the running, nearly 1,000 next week, allowing the new council to get ahead of second placegetter Joesephine into the business of governance in 2025 Nathan on 1,444. Once again, the contest before holidays overtake the calendar. for the third seat was a close one. Gordon With a lot to achieve, and election Lambeth retained his seat for another promises to make good on, the Larsen term, with 1,345 votes, just ahead of administration will be under close Tangiterōria community leader Jan Beatty, public scrutiny. Unity and transparency who gained 1,334 votes and Pera Paniora of spending are top of the new who received 1,318. mayor’s agenda. As part of an east-west balancing “My approach is very clear. I want to arrangement made during the election unify the whole district,” Mr Larsen said. ¢
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