Invercargill's new mayor Nobby Clark describes himself as a fixer who gets things done.
He believed these were some of reasons why he was successful on his first run for the city’s mayoralty, standing against nine other candidates including the country’s longest serving mayor and some prominent names within the community.
Mr Clark (71) received 7260 votes, according to the preliminary results of this year’s local body election. He was followed by Toni Biddle (4303 votes) and Marcus Lush (4262 votes).
After his first term as a councillor and frequent tension around leadership within the council, Mr Clark believed he was the right man for the job and promised to leave
all the drama behind.
He was ready for the challenge ahead, he said.
‘‘I am very much a doer, a fixer - a person who gets things done. Others can have the long-term vision and dreams. I don't have that in my life.’’
Mr Clark thanked Sir Tim Shadbolt for the ‘‘outstanding length of service’’ he had given the city.
While he did not believe there was an ambassador or a mentor role for Sir Tim within council, Mr Clark said a function would be held to celebrate the extensive length of time he served the city.
These included fighting against the Three Waters reforms, and renewing the city’s contract with a recycling company that hires people with disabilities.
Other priorities were to continue the ‘‘beautification’’ of the city, and getting the new Southland Museum and Art Gallery built and opened within the next three years.
‘‘This is the thing the public is more eagerly waiting for and I think it is possible to be done.’’
‘‘I am prepared to put in the time to advocate for what I think is right for the city.’’
He was excited for the next chapter of the Invercargill City Council, which included new and old names.
Preliminary results delivered to Invercargill City Council yesterday indicate sitting councillors Nigel Skelt, Darren Ludlow, Ian Pottinger, Allan Arnold, Lesley Soper and Alex Crackett will remain on council.
They will be joined by new councillors Tom Campbell, Grant Dermody, Ria Bond and Trish Boyle.
Invercargill City Council deputy electoral officer and manager governance and legal Michael Morris said with 594 of special votes still to be counted, two positions at the council table were too close to call at this stage.
Those candidates are Peter Kett (6295 votes), Barry Stewart (6205), Graham Lewis (6192) and Terry King (6021).
Declaration of the final results would be made between October 13 and October 19.
The voter return - excluding special votes - was currently at 51.8%, being 20,357 votes, Mr Morris said.
