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Waikato District Mayor-elect Aksel Bech aims to build a thriving district as he embarks on his three-year term as mayor.
“I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to be elected as your new mayor.
“This result reflects the passion, pride, and belief our communities have in building a stronger, more empowered, and more affordable future together.”
“Now, the work begins. Together, we’ll deliver a council that listens, acts, is transparent and accountable and puts our communities first.
“Here’s to the next chapter – and to a thriving Waikato District we can all be proud of.”
Bech acknowledged the 12 years of service that outgoing mayor Jacqui Church gave, and the passion she brought to that mahi.
The Waikato District also voted to remove Maaori wards, with 9,917 for their removal, and 9,096 in favour of retaining them.
North Waikato results
Vern Reeve returns as Tuakau-Pokeno ward councillor, joined by newcomer Fabio Rodrigues, who was less than 100 votes behind Reeve, and ousting Kandi Ngataki.
Peter Thomson safely defended his seat from challenger Amanda Rutherford to retain the Awaroa-Maramarua ward.
Carolyn Eyre was uncontested in the Western Districts ward and returns for another term on the Waikato District Council.
The new Tuakau Community Board is made up of Christopher Betty, Peter Coleman, Davendra Kumar, Richard Gee, Grace Tema-Liapaneke, and Rawhiti-Whenua Matena Ngataki.
The Rural-Port Waikato Community Board (4) has been elected unopposed. The representatives of the North Subdivision are Trish Murray and Leah Fry. The representatives of the South Subdivision are Flee Coker-Grey and Jo-Ann Townsend.
Newly elected regional councillor Gary McGuire has won the largest number of votes in the Waikato constituency, ousting chair Pamela Storey, who placed third. Incumbent Noel Smith received the second-highest number of votes, retaining his seat.
The full results, including special votes, will be available by October 18.
Full Waikato District Council preliminary results:
Mayoralty
Aksel Bech 12,148 votes
Jacqui Church 6,994
Councillors (13 seats across 10 wards)
Awaroa-Maramarua General Ward (1)
Peter Thomson 924
Amanda Rutherford 327
Huntly General Ward (1)
David Whyte 838
Michael Cresswell 331
Frank McInally 240
Newcastle-Ngāruawāhia General Ward (2)
Grant Coombes 1,954
Eugene Patterson 1,941
Dianne Firth 971
Ganga Sudhan 594
Tai Raro Takiwaa Maaori Ward (1)
Endine Dixon-Harris 507
Donna Pokere-Phillips 466
Rosalie Ellis 350
Tai Runga Takiwaa Maaori Ward (1)
Tilly Turner elected unopposed
Tamahere-Woodlands General Ward (2)
Mike Keir 2,089
Crystal Beavis 1,594
Peter Mayall 1,460
Mark Manson 737
Anne Cao-Oulton 717
Tuakau-Pōkeno General Ward (2)
Vern Reeve 1,330
Fabio Rodrigues 1,250
Stephanie Henderson 1,057
Kandi Ngataki 711
Bronwyn Heath 648
Waerenga-Whitikahu (1)
Marlene Raumati 964
Denise Dickinson 680
Western Districts General Ward (1)
Carolyn Eyre elected unopposed
Whāingaroa General Ward (1)
Lisa Thomson 977
Nicola Laboyrie 595
Huntly Community Board (6)
Eden Wawatai 1,075
Tracy Jones 939
Phil Amos 896
Sasha McGaughran 896
Joy Tengu 883
Angela Floyed 792
Jas Sandhu 742
Jamie Parker 709
Frank McInally 633
Lafoaluga Sakaria 513
Ngāruawāhia Community Board (6)
Kiri-Kahurangi Morgan 1,354
Dale-Maree Morgan 983
Alicia Sunnex 966
Steve Hutt 900
Vennesa Rice 867
Dianne Firth 794
Keryn Hooker 671
Ganga Sudhan 648
Angela Parquist 640
Jack Ayers 639
Raglan Community Board (6)
Satnam Bains 931
Dennis Amoore 930
Nicola Laboyrie 922
Eloise Deller 903
Ross Wallis 901
Chris Rayner 890
Jasmine Hunter 830
Nick Pearce 526
Peter Hampton 501
Taupiri Community Board (4)
Rebecca Lovell 121
Rosemary Spragg 107
Jimmy MacDonald 90
Sharnay Cocup-Hughes 84
Carl Akaroa 81
Shaun Munro 70
Tuakau Community Board (6)
Christopher Betty 1,000
Peter Coleman 846
Davendra Kumar 798
Richard Gee 713
Grace Tema-Liapaneke 670
Rawhiti-Whenua Matena Ngataki 649
Lee Watson 624
David Henderson 480
Rural-Port Waikato Community Board (4)
Trish Murray elected unopposed
Leah Fry elected unopposed
Flee Coker-Grey elected unopposed
Jo-Ann Day-Townsend elected unopposed.
