South Canterbury voters opt for the status quo with two incumbents elected

Voters across South Canterbury voted to retain the status quo – with two incumbents and one former councillor elected as mayors of the three districts.

In Timaru, Nigel Bowen won his second term as mayor in another landslide victory – securing 11,787 votes. That was 7327 more than the only other candidate, Stu Piddington, who got 4460.

Anne Munro also enjoyed a landslide win in the Mackenzie securing 1483 votes, which put her well ahead of the only other candidate, Robin McCarthy, who secured 329.

It was a much closer race in the Waimate District with Craig Rowley re-elected for his fourth term as mayor with 1628 votes, putting him ahead of Rick Stevens – who secured 1233 votes in his first crack at the mayoralty.

READ MORE:
* Anne Munro new Mackenzie District mayor
* Waimate District votes in Craig Rowley for mayor
* Timaru elects Nigel Bowen as mayor for second term

Bowen said it felt “really good” to get the phone call advising him of his win.

“I’m really excited to continue to do good work for the community, and we have a good council.

“I would like to acknowledge Stu [Piddington] – it will be great to continue working with him as a councillor, I have a lot of respect for him.”

The result continues Bowen’s dream run in local body politics, having first been elected after winning Timaru’s 2017 by-election with an overwhelming majority with 5241 votes, almost three times that of his nearest rival, Mark Rogers.

Having served the remainder of the 2016 term as councillor, Bowen went on to win the mayoralty in 2019 by a landslide with 8759 votes. Timaru businessman and volunteer Handy was the closest with 4982 votes. Bowen, who also stood in the Timaru ward as a councillor in 2019, was the highest polling candidate with 9264 votes, which put him well ahead of second placed Steve Wills on 7526 votes.

In that election, Piddington was the lowest polling of the six Timaru ward councillors elected garnering 3772 votes. However, he managed to turn that around in 2022 with preliminary results showing him as the highest polling council candidate with 6153 votes.

“It shows that people in the community believe in what I’m doing. I will continue to hold everyone to account. Thanks to everyone who supported me during my campaign,” Piddington said.

The preliminary results, put Stacey Scott just behind Piddington with 6090 votes, Peter Burt was the third-highest polling candidate with 5983 votes. Owen (OJ) Jackson received 5801 votes, Allan Booth 5204 and Sally Parker 5016.

Scott and Jackson have been elected for the first time and will join Piddington and Booth – who have each served one term, and Burt and Parker – who have served three and two terms, respectively.

In the Geraldine ward, Gavin Oliver was re-elected, securing 1216 votes over Wayne O’Donnell (744) and Jan Finlayson (485).

The two candidates in the Pleasant Point-Temuka ward, Michelle Pye and Scott Shannon, were elected unopposed.

One-term councillor Barbara Gilchrist was the only candidate not to be re-elected in 2022.

Having been elected for his fourth term, Waimate District mayor Rowley said he was not surprised the race for the top job had been close.

“He [Stevens] is on council now, so I look forward to working with him,’’ he said.

“I’m back in as mayor and I will continue to do what I’ve always done for the betterment of the community.”

Stevens also stood as a Waimate ward councillor, of which there were four vacancies, and was the third-highest polling councillor, with 944 votes.

He was “excited” to start work as a councillor.

“It’s the first time I’ve done something like this, and I feel good about the results. I look forward to getting to work on Monday,” he said.

“It’s time to validate those votes by doing a good job at council,” he said.

Also joining Rowley and Stevens around the council table are incumbent Sharyn Cain with 1199 votes, and former councillor Peter Collins on 1000, and John Begg with 889.

Lisa Small won the position in the Lower Waihao ward with 225 votes, ahead of Bruce Murphy on 79.

There were 10 nominations for the council’s Waimate ward.

Those who missed out were Peter Paterson who received 725 votes, one term councillor Fabia Fox – 718, Sarah Huggins – 590, Julie Dee – 438, Tom Williams – 194 and Jonathan Bird – 179.

The sole nomination for the Hakataramea-Waihaorunga ward’s councillor Colin Pankhurst was elected unopposed, as well as Sandy McAlwee and Tom O’Connor for the Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi ward.

Munro, a two term Mackenzie District councillor, replaces two-term Mackenzie District mayor, and five-term veteran of local body politics, Graham Smith, who did not seek re-election this time around.

Munro was at a wedding in Wānaka on Saturday when the results came in.

“I was getting ready for my niece’s wedding, and so I was distracted, so I was away from my phone, and when I came back to it, there was a text saying that the preliminary results are in, and I was ahead by a significant amount,’’ Munro said on Sunday.

“My first thought was ‘oh my God’, I feel very privileged.’’

As it was her niece’s wedding Munro, and her husband, did not share the results on the day.

“It was our little secret during her special day.

“But my family are absolutely thrilled.”

Munro acknowledged the work of Smith, who she said had “lifted the profile of the Mackenzie District”.

“I have big shoes to fill.”

Her opponent said “at the end of the day, it came down to what the people wanted”.

“Congratulations go to Anne and I wish her all the best,” McCarthy said.

Joining Munro around the council table will be Pukaki ward representatives Kerry Bellringer, with 428 votes, Karen Morgan with 405, and Scott Aronsen with 356, and Opuha ward representatives Phillipa Guerin on 785, Rit Fisher on 701, and Murray Cox with 678.

Those to miss out in the Pukaki ward were Zhivannah Cole with 301 votes, Mark Sanders with 230 and Mark Frear with 130.

In the Opuha ward Cameron Garner missed out with 214 votes.

Matt Murphy, a former Pukaki ward councillor, was elected unopposed for the Tekapo ward.

Community boards elected:

The five positions on the Pleasant Point Community Board were contested by eight candidates – with Ross Munro (775), Raewyn Hessell (586), Anna Lyon (579), Michael Thomas (578) and Kathy Wilkins (552) elected. The candidates not elected were Anne Lemmens (531), Gavin Smith (515) and Sarah Denton (497).

The Temuka Community Board, which also has five positions was also contested by eight candidates, with – Charles Scarsbrook (1347), Ali Talbot (1248), Aimee Baird (1178), Nicola Nimo (1032) and Gaye Broker (1015). The candidates not elected were Stephanie McCullough (986), Tracey Jackson (647) and Scarlett Stott (492).

Damon Smith, with 706 votes, Angela Habraken with 597, Keiran Guiney with 500, and Holly Lane with 454 all won seats on the Fairlie Community Board, while Charlotte Taylor with 431 votes, Jodi Payne with 360, Simon Abbott with 216 and Mark Eades with 50 missed out.

All candidates who stood for the Geraldine Community Board were elected unopposed – Janene Adams, Jan Finlayson, Shane Minnear, Wayne O’Donnell, McGregor Simpson, and Rosie Woods.

All candidates who stood for the Twizel Community Board were elected unopposed – Tony Hodges, Mary Murdoch, Jan Spriggs, and incumbent Tracey Gunn.

The Tekapo Community Board is one short with three incumbent members standing for the four spots – Sharron Binns, Steve Howes, and Simox Caroll.

Those who stood for the Geraldine Licensing Trust were also elected unopposed – Dan Cummings, Nicky Donkers, Jo Hewson, Ross R. MacLeod, McGregor Simpson and Rosie Woods.