Local Election Day Updates

As results in the local government elections roll in successful Rodney and Albany ward candidates are celebrating their win at the polls. Local Matters is talking the candidates and will be posting updates here and on Twitter.

7pm - Familiar Faces

Six sitting members of Rodney District Council have been elected to office in the new Auckland Council, under the Mayoralty of Len Brown. Read the full story

6.30pm - Mix of old and new on Hibiscus Coast subdivision

The Hibiscus Coast subdivision, on the Albany Ward, looks set to be represented by a mix of new and experienced local government members.

Sitting Rodney councillors Gaye Harding and John Kirikiri are sharing first and second place in the polls, followed by former Rodney councillor John Watson and first-time candidate Greg Sayers.

Greg says he’s delighted with the result and is looking forward to representing Hibiscus Coast residents.

“My job now is to support the Auckland supercity to ensure Auckland is the best city in the world and Hibiscus Coast is the jewel in the crown,” he says.

“What came through in the campaign is the fear people have that our voice will be lost. My job will be to make sure that this doesn’t happen.”

Greg, whose family has lived on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula for more than a century, says he is looking forward to working with the other board members and congratulated both Michael Goudie and Wayne Walker on their election.

John Watson says the results in Albany are good news for Hibiscus Coast, which will mean the area will be well-represented.

“ The role of the local board is still pretty much unknown so it will be interesting to see what happens,” he says. “On a Councillor’s salary I was able to devote myself to the job fulltime, but the remuneration for local board members will mean that I will need to continue to work as a teacher.

“Evening meetings will have to be considered to fit around members’ schedules.”

John says he’s looking forward to working with all members of the Local Board, from both divisions.

“People are afraid their views will be lost in the new city – that we’ll become a forgotten backwater. It will be up to the board to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

5pm - Warkworth Subdivision

Fresh from leading the Warkworth Pipe Band through the streets of Warkworth for the Kowhai Festival, June Turner was “thrilled” to learn she had (on progress results) been elected to the Rodney Local Board

On preliminary results, June, Tracey Martin and Steven Garner look like being the three Warkworth subdivision representatives.

Tracey and Steven were both new to local government, while June had served one term on Rodney District Council.

“I am thrilled that the people have chosen me to be their advocate,” June said.

Quick to get down to business, she said her priorities would be to secure the Atlas site for the community, push ahead on the redevelopment of the showgrounds to include a swimming pool, gymnastics area, and facilities for rugby and hockey.

“I am very pleased with Len Brown’s election; he will help communities to keep their individuality and support their identity.”

Tracey Martin was celebrating with a glass of French champagne, bought for her by her husband.

“I’ve been on my feet all day at the Kowhai Festival so it is lovely just to sit down.” she said. “I don’t really know what this means yet – the job of Local Board members is still unclear. All I’m feeling at the moment is ‘responsible’.”

Tracey said she would start on Monday re-arranging her current responsibilities to accommodate her new job.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from this campaign is that you don’t need a lot of money to be elected if you are well known in your community. I spent $1000 and relied on the fact that people here know me and know the work I do.

“I’m very pleased to hear Penny will be our Ward Councillor – she’s someone I feel I can worth with.”

Steven Garner, who was leading the Warkworth subdivision poll, said he was very happy with the result but like Tracey, still felt unsure about what his job would be.

“It’s going to be very interesting to see how the new supercity will work,” he said. “There will be a lot of learn and I will be keen to ensure ratepayers get value for their rates, good infrastructure and improved sporting facilities.”

Steven said he had a campaign team of one, although his children did help with brochure drops.

“My family and I have lived in this area for nearly 35 years so it was just a matter of reminding people of who I was.”

3.50pm - Mayor humbled by support

The new Auckland Council will be a good mix of people, from both sides of the political fence, according to leading candidate in the Rodney Ward Penny Webster.

“It bodes well for Auckland,” she said from a waterfront table at the Kowhai Festival in Warkworth.

“There are some from the left – like Cathy Casey and Sandra Coney, and some from the right like Chris Fletcher and George Wood and Penny Webster. It’s a good mix.

“We will have a Council that will be able to find the middle ground. Len Brown will unite people – he will bring people together.”

Penny has just over 2500 votes ahead of nearest rival and former Auckland Regional Council representative Christine Rose.

“I am over the moon to have received such a majority but feel humbled by the fact that people have put such a huge show of faith in me.”

Penny said it would be business as usual until the swearing in of the new Council on November 1.

“My last duty as Mayor will be to open the new toilets at the Wilson Cement Works!”

3.30pm - Walker feeling “elated”

Councillor-elect Wayne Walker, who is in Takapuna competing in a Toastmasters Competition, says he will be working hard to represent the whole of the Albany Ward, not just Hibiscus Coast.

“Some voters in the Albany Ward may be a bit perturbed by the fact that two Hibiscus Coast candidates have been elected,” he said. “There will be a real need to work closely with the people we represent on the shore.”

Wayne says he’s elated and “incredibly grateful” to his team of supporters.

“These elections seem to have been more about personalities than issues. What I picked up from the campaign was a real concern from people that they don’t want to lose their community’s identity – they don’t want to be swallowed up by Auckland.”

Wayne says transport, securing local reserves, and addressing issues at Silverdale North and in the Albany commercial centre were some local issues likely to need addressing in the early days of the new Council.

2.50pm - Goudie “stoked”

Former Rodney Councillor Michael Goudie has topped the poll in the progress results so far for the Albany Ward.

He and fellow Rodney Councillor Wayne Walker are both more than 1000 votes ahead of their nearest rival Julia Parfitt.

Michael, who was Rodney’s youngest-ever Councillor when elected three years ago, says he is feeling “a bit in shock”.

“The last four months have been crazy and super hardwork,” he said. “But my team stuck to the game plan and I am really stocked to have come out on top.”

Michael believes his social media profile had a lot to do with his success.

“The days of expecting ratepayers to come to you with their issues are gone. It’s up to us (the Councillors) to go where people are socialising.”

Two-and-a half years ago, Michael set up a Facebook site called Hibiscus Coast Group which now has 2500 followers. He is also a regular on Twitter.

“Through social media, I’ve been able to build a relationship with the community.”

Asked what he would be doing tomorrow, Michael said he would be watching Bathurst and spending time with his family.

2.30pm - Rodney Mayor Penny Webster has cemented her place on the new Auckland Council with the lion’s share of votes in the Local Government election.

With 95 percent of votes counted by 2pm today, Mrs Webster leads the field of four candidates in the Rodney Ward with 8063 votes. Her next nearest rival is former Auckland Regional Council representative Christine Rose who has so far polled 5553 votes.

Len Brown looks certain to lead the new Council with 221,365 votes to his nearest rival John Banks who has so far polled 161,167 votes.

* * *

In total, 542 candidates were contesting the 170 vacancies on the new Auckland supercity – 23 for mayor, 100 for council and 419 for the local boards.

The progressive results were announced between 1pm and 2pm today - October 9.
Preliminary results will be announced between 7pm-9pm.
The final results will be declared next week.

Click on the links below for Progress results

Results: Rodney Ward and Local Board
Results: Albany Ward and Hibiscus & Bays Local Board

Published: October 09, 2010