Just three new faces were slated to appear in the Nelson City Council chamber next term after all the incumbents retained their seats in the local elections, including mayor Nick Smith.
According to the preliminary results, Lisa Austin was elected in the Central Ward, Sarah Kerby in the Stoke-Tāhunanui Ward, and Nigel Skeggs at large.
They replace deputy mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens and councillors Matthew Benge and Rachel Sanson who chose not to stand again for election.
Smith has decisively retained his position as mayor after receiving 10,707 votes – around 4100 ahead of his main competitor, Aaron Stallard, who would be returning to the council after being elected at large.
Smith was “pleased” all the incumbents had been re-elected.
“Each of them have brought valuable skills to the table, but have also been very committed to building a more collegial, functioning council.”
His priority for this week was meeting with all the successful candidates to get a gauge of their priorities.
“I need to hear from them as we modify the direction for where all of the elected council are.”
Economic recovery and revitalisation of the central city were key concerns for Smith, after a “terrible year” of “unprecedented” closures across the region.
“The new council will need to be very focused on the bits that it can do to support the recovery.”
He said future projects, such as the redevelopments of the hospital and Morrisons Square, the Bridge Street upgrade, Maitahi Village development, and flood protection works were encouraging, but that Nelson would still need “vital” Government support.
“They control the bulk of the levers. I’m traveling to Wellington this Tuesday, and those important issues are on my agenda.”
Stallard offered his congratulations to Smith and the other successful candidates.
“It was a good campaign and I’m very grateful to be back on council. I think it was healthy for our local democracy to give people a choice in Nelson; it’s really important that it’s a good, vigorous process.”
John Wakelin and Richard Osmaston each received around 300 votes for mayor.
Keeping their seats on the council, alongside Smith and Stallard, were Tim Skinner (at large); Matty Anderson, James Hodgson, and Pete Rainey (Central Ward); Trudie Brand, Mel Courtney, and Campbell Rollo (Stoke-Tāhunanui); and Kahu Paki Paki (Whakatū Māori Ward).
Paki Paki had run unopposed and had been guaranteed to be re-elected.
'Nelson has come a long way since 2012'
The future of Paki Paki’s seat has also been cemented after the city voted to keep its Māori Ward with 9805 votes for and 7421 against.
A referendum to have a Māori ward in 2012 failed, with around 79% of voters opposed.
“How cool is this? It shows that Nelson has come a long way since 2012 referendum and full credit to the community who made space for the Māori voice at the table,” Paki Paki said.
“It qualifies my presence at the table. It reinforces the fact that the community wants the Māori Ward there, and, in turn, wants me there. That’s great.”
Meanwhile, Nelson’s three new councillors were eager to get to work.
Labour’s Sarah Kerby described the campaign trail as her “biggest joy” but was now “really stoked” to have been elected.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
She said her three priorities were housing, transport, and infrastructure, while also managing the impact the cost of living was having on families.
“I know people are struggling right now.”
Similarly, Lisa Austin wanted to have a “positive influence” on the city and was preparing herself for the job.
“I’m going to do the very, very best I can.”
Her key focus was improving transport, but also would prioritise infrastructure, storm protection, and community and affordable housing, while keeping future rates increases below 5%.
Nigel Skeggs was “looking forward” to getting involved in the council and focusing on the city’s economic development.
His priority for the next three years was economic development.
“Seeing how we can develop the city and the waterfront, leverage on our blue economy, and make it easier for people to do business,” he said.
“At the same time, we need to keep rates down, keep the cost of living down, and become more efficient with the resources that we do have.”
Skeggs was also now in the process of stepping down as the chief executive of the city’s council-owned marina company but intended to continue to “champion” the marina’s “very exciting,” planned multi-million-dollar upgrade.
Many special votes have still not yet been counted, with the final result expected on Thursday. Once all votes have been counted, there could be a difference to the preliminary results.
Voter turnout, excluding special votes, was 47.13%, down 4% from last election’s 51.14% turnout.
Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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