By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Ruapehu voters have recorded one of the district’s strongest turnouts in recent years and narrowly voted to keep Māori wards for the next two local elections.
Final results released for the Ruapehu District Council elections show a 51.07 percent turnout, with 4302 votes cast, including a high number of special votes.
Officials said results were delayed because of exceptionally strong special vote participation.
In the Māori ward poll, voters chose to retain Māori wards, with 2098 voting to keep and 1982 voting to remove – a margin of just 116 votes.
The binding result means the Māori ward will remain in place for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
Weston Kirton’s return for another term as mayor was confirmed. He secured 2453 votes, comfortably ahead of challengers Lyn Neeson (1347), Grant Lethborg (1033) and Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase (385).
Kirton credited his re-election to his community’s concern about rising rates and affordability.
“People are struggling with the long-term potential for rate increases, particularly around the water [plans]. They want leadership that will work harder and smarter to alleviate some of that pain,” Kirton said after preliminary results were released earlier this week.
Six councillors have been elected to the council’s general ward: Robyn Gram, Viv Hoeta, Rabbit Nottage, Brenda Ralph and newcomers John Chapman and Luke Pepper.
Community board representatives have also been confirmed: Waimarino-Waiouru: Kay Henare, Luigi Hotter, Colin Pakai, Stu Robinson, Emma Young. Ōwhango-National Park: Gail Gray, Anthony Gurr, Eddie Marsters, Murray Wilson, Peter Zimmer. Taumarunui-Ōhura: Johnny Dryden, Molly Jeffries, Brian Portland, Sophie Stockbridge, Oriwia Wanakore.
Nationally, election operator Electionz.com reported processing around 28,000 special votes nationwide in this year’s local elections – nearly 10,000 more than in 2022.
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