He told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he was "really relieved" the election was over for him and there was plenty of work he could now fully focus on in the coming months.
"Really relieved is probably the big thing," he said.
"This is probably the most important election Central Otago has faced in the last 30 years with the reforms, and I’m really hoping that people will engage with the voting and bring back the council and boards that Central Otago will need to get us through the next couple of years."
Seats on the Central Otago District Council will be contested in the Vincent, Cromwell and Teviot Valley wards.
As the only candidate, Stuart Duncan has secured the Maniototo ward seat.
Eight candidates have come forward to contest the five Vincent ward seats, while up the road seven had put their hands forward for the four available seats in the Cromwell ward.
Last-minute candidates have come forward to contest positions on the region’s community boards.
Three days ago the situation looked dire for the Teviot Valley Community Board as no-one had stepped forward to fill any of the four vacant seats. However five candidates are registered, with incumbent Norman Dalley putting his hand up alongside four new candidates.
Those seeking places on the Maniototo and Cromwell Community Boards will be automatically elected as the number of candidates equals the number of seats. However two Cromwell candidates — Sarah Browne and Bob Scott — are also standing for a seat on the Central Otago District Council.
If either candidate was elected to both, they would take the council position, leading to a vacancy on the community board and triggering a by-election to fill the spot.
Staff Reporter
