Andrew King has been elected Hamilton's mayor with a single-digit majority.

But one of the tightest mayoral races on record isn't over yet, as nearest rival Paula Southgate will seek a judicial recount.

Official election results were released on Thursday and special votes cut King's lead from 14 to nine votes.

 

King, 55, spent the morning contacting family with the election news as well-wishers popped into his Frankton business to congratulate him.

 

The mayor-elect was relaxed at the prospect of a recount and would celebrate the win with family at home.

His wife, Anne, is in India volunteering at an orphanage the couple help run.

"I phoned Anne straight away with the news. It was the middle of the night and she was a bit sleepy, but very excited," King said.

"I thought I might win by, say, 10 votes, but I wasn't holding on to this dream too tightly. I couldn't afford to. I was a bit tearful when I got the news. This race has been fantastic because it's brought attention to local government voting."

King's priority over the next 100 days will be to meet with elected members and the council's senior management team.

His focus as mayor will be investing in core infrastructure to enable greenfield developments.

"My first job is to put together my thoughts about the council's committees and structures. We have a huge range of different types of people on council with different opinions and political leanings and I think the tension that paradox creates is healthy and is something I'll embrace."

Southgate, who is battling a chest infection and laryngitis, declined media interviews, but in a statement said the narrow loss was "crushing".

She rang King to congratulate him, but would seek a judicial recount.

If granted by a district court judge, a recount would most likely happen in late October.

"Part of me would rather not do a recount because of the further uncertainty it creates. But my supporters feel very strongly that I should because the margin is so close and I owe it to them to do that," Southgate said.

David King, 83, couldn't keep the grin off his face after learning of his son's victory.

He said his son was Hamilton "through and through" and enjoyed a strong support base.

"I feel humbled by what's happened, but either way, we would have been proud as a family."

King will be sworn in on October 27.

The official results see Siggi Henry elected on to council in the city's West Ward.

Also elected in the west is Geoff Taylor, Leo Tooman, Dave Macpherson, Angela O'Leary and Martin Gallagher.

Southgate, Rob Pascoe, James Casson, Philip Yeung, Garry Mallett and Mark Bunting have been elected in the East Ward.

 

 

출처 : http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/85297391/king-takes-hamilton-mayoralty