Local democracy is a strange beast. Voting turnout is reasonable in smaller districts and falls away in cities.
There, it seems, name recognition is everything.
Among the also-rans are candidates who would have made excellent councillors.
But if they are not well known they have little chance.
Congratulations must go to them for their forlorn efforts, as well as to everyone else who stood. Despite its flaws and limitations, local democracy is important.
It requires citizens able and willing to "serve", to decide on policy, plans and community direction and to oversee the supply of local services.
In Dunedin, Dave Cull trounced his opposition.
In one sense, this was confirmation of his and the council’s direction and the promising last three years for Dunedin.
In another, it reflected the absence of a strong alternative acceptable to large numbers.
Lee Vandervis is a vigorous and able person, but his abrasive tendencies also alienate many.
He has, however, enough core supporters, plus those wanting a questioning, often dissenting voice in the council, for him to poll well for a seat on the council.
For others, it would seem being a recognisable name makes a big difference.
All sitting councillors were returned, as were three mayoral candidates whose profiles were in the news for that reason.
A further successful candidate is a radio announcer (remember how radio prominence helped Kevin Mills and Neil Collins win their starts on the city council), another is the chairwoman of the Otago Peninsula Community Board and a strong candidate three years ago.
The sixth is specifically a "Green" candidate.
Close behind is a former city councillor and entertainer, Bill Acklin, and another of the mayoral candidates, Scout Barbour-Evans.
When this year’s voting as well as Dunedin mayoral history since the mid-1990s is examined, residents do not default to backing older white males.
The role of STV will continue to be debated.
It would seem it, indeed, helps candidates with strong core backing, even if that support is not widespread. Thus, Mosgiel and the Taieri and Strath Taieri need not be swamped by central city numbers, and sufficient backing for the Green brand, as well as Green campaigning, might have helped Marie Laufiso across the line. Labour might be tempted to lend its name to candidates next election. Being part of the Greater Dunedin group could well have boosted the chances of some candidates three years ago.
The dynamics of the city council will be intriguing.
The balance looks roughly the same, and hopefully, there will not be the emergence of, or at least the perception of the emergence of, a in-block and an out-block.
Overall, it is likely to be more of the same with centrist, left and green voices coalescing around Mr Cull and the council’s dominant view on issues like the effects of climate change or cycleways.
Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes provided intriguing mayoral contests.
Questioning the history of Jim Boult, of Queenstown, failed given his clear victory, and Tim Cadogan, from Clyde, tipped out Central’s incumbent Tony Lepper.
The lively Mr Cadogan might well have tapped into angst about rating changes.
No doubt, he will be able to receive advice from his brother, Bryan Cadogan, returned (unopposed) as mayor of Clutha.
Waitaki’s mayor, Gary Kircher, as expected was a clear winner, reflecting confidence in his leadership and the direction of the district.
The British Local Government Association lists seven "principles of public life".
These are impressive ideals for councillors and mayors to strive to uphold, especially because of the pressures, compromises and interests involved in what is, when all is said and done, a form of "politics".
The principles are selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
These might be ambitious and idealistic, but it is what we, the residents, desire of them.
