Taupō elects a new Mayor
John Funnell is the new Taupō District Mayor.
Taupō has elected a new mayor with John Funnell ahead by a comfortable margin with most votes counted.
By Dan Hutchinson
With 85% of votes counted, Funnell received 4575 votes, Zane Cozens 3461, Incumbent Mayor David Trewavas slipped to third with 2400 votes and Kevin Taylor on 2270.
Voters decided against having Māori Ward seats in the next election although there are two new candidates in Te Papamārearea Māori Ward for the next term with Wahine Murch on 859 votes and Ngāhuia Foreman on 653, ahead of incumbent Danny Loughlin on 638. Loughlin could still progress with votes in transit and special votes still to be counted.
The full list of voting results are below.
Funnell told Taupō News he was still processing the result, but he laid the credit for the successful campaign on a strong team.
Speaking from Suncourt Hotel, which he owns and where he was gathered with family and friends, he said the first step would be to get a briefing from the council team.
“And then I guess the next step will be building the team of councillors and getting together and trying to align our thoughts and see where to go to from here.
“I guess the margin that I've got gives me a mandate to some extent, but of course I can't do anything on my own. I'm fully aware that to make any changes, I have to get a number of councillors that think likewise to me.”
He says he campaigned on transparency when it came to rates and would call on his business experience.
“I've heard a lot of reasons why they can't reduce (costs). It is something that I've got some expertise in.
“A number of the companies that I've taken over have generally been in need of restructure and rebuilding. And they've turned out to be very successful as a result of it. But, of course, I had a team of people that went with me. There's nothing I did on my own.
“And even the rescue helicopter (service,, you know, was one of those ... I just happen to be the person that the media contacted and I told the story, but, in fact, there's a huge team of people behind me.”
Trewavas posted his congratulations on his Facebook page.
“The results are in and unfortunately not to be this time.
“Congratulations to John Funnell and I wish all the new and existing councillors all the best.
“It’s been an absolute privilege and honour to serve for the last 12 years.
To the amazing staff at the Taupo District Council especially (executive assistant) Cornelia Bruckner and successive CEOs.”
“I like to think I’ve left the Taupo District in a better place.”
If re-elected as mayor, Trewavas would have equalled the five terms served by Joan Williamson (her first being the final term of the Taupō Borough Council before local body amalgamation in 1988/89.)
Cozens congratulated Funnell on a well-run race.
“John is a great guy and I wish him all the best.
“I just hope they (the community) get behind John and the new council for a bright future. I just want everyone to be in this together.”
Results
Mayoralty
FUNNELL, John (Independent) 4,575
COZENS, Zane (Independent) 3,461
TREWAVAS, David James 2,400
TAYLOR, Kevin (Independent) 2,270
INFORMAL 6
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 118
Mangakino-Pouakani Ward (1 vacancy)
JOHNSON, Marlene 279
WOODWARD, Hope (Let's Go Taupō) 269
INFORMAL 0 BLANK VOTING PAPERS 28
Taupō Ward (7 vacancies)
RANKIN, Christine 4,611
TAYLOR, Kevin (Independent) 4,453
SHEPHERD, Rachel 4,316
WESTERMAN, Yvonne (Independent) 4,145
CAMPBELL, Duncan 4,107
DE LAUTOUR, Nicola 4,043
DELANY, Barry Owen 3,590
MANUNUI, Steve 3,470
YEOMAN, Julie 3,389
WALKER, Belinda (Independent) 3,182
TWEEDIE, Ann (Let's Go Taupo) 2,551
PUNTER, Steve (Independent)2,362
CLARKE, Bill 2,203
CADE, Richard 1,524
FREEMAN, David 1,158
WYNYARD, Mark 615
WILSON, Katrin (Independent) 356
INFORMAL 24
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 103
Tūrangi-Tongariro Ward (1 vacancy)
GREENSLADE, Sandra 810
RAFFERTY (RAFF), Alan 402
LIVINGSTONE, David 120
INFORMAL 6
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 29
Taupō East Rural Ward (1 vacancy)
LEONARD, Kylie (Independent) 363
STAFFORD, Rebecca (Let's Go Taupō) 252
INFORMAL 0
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 43
Te Papamārearea Māori Ward (2 vacancies)
MURCH, Wahine 859
FOREMAN (NEE ASHER), Ngāhuia (Toitū Te Tiriti) 653
LOUGHLIN, Danny Aperahama 638
INFORMAL 0
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 23
Māori Ward Poll - Taupō DC (1 vacancy)
I VOTE TO REMOVE THE MĀORI WARD 7,486
I VOTE TO KEEP THE MĀORI WARD 4,742
INFORMAL 2 BLANK VOTING PAPERS 600
The voter return was 45.39%, being 12,830 votes, excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes.