Neil Volzke Secures Sixth Term as Stratford Mayor in Close Election

Stratford mayor Neil Volzke has won a closely contested election, securing his sixth term in office. Preliminary results indicate that Volzke triumphed over his challenger, Jono Erwood, by a margin of just 219 votes. This victory positions Volzke to potentially become the longest-serving current mayor in New Zealand, pending the outcome of the final vote count involving Wayne Guppy, the mayor of Upper Hutt, who was vying for a ninth term.

Volzke expressed relief at the conclusion of the campaign and enthusiasm for the next three years ahead. He stated, “I’m looking forward to the challenge of the next three years; it will be a testing time for councils.”

The new council will likely see changes with the addition of four or five new elected members, depending on the final vote count and special votes. Volzke acknowledged there would be a steep learning curve for the newcomers but expressed confidence in their capabilities.

Election Results and Implications

Preliminary data released on October 29, 2023, showed that newcomer Josh Best came in third for votes in the urban ward, while Jaimie Bertie finished in sixth place. In the Māori ward, candidates David Chadwick, Karley Hemopo, and incumbent Hemi Haddon received 47, 42, and 34 votes respectively. Notably, Katherine Sextus was elected unopposed to represent the rural ward.

Volzke noted the district’s rejection of retaining the Māori Ward beyond 2028 did not come as a surprise. He said, “I personally supported it, but from the feedback I received during the campaign, the split was as I had anticipated.” He emphasized the importance of engaging with Māori communities to ensure their input moving forward.

A significant task ahead for the new council will be establishing the business unit for Local Water Done Well, which Volzke highlighted as essential. Additionally, he aims to keep rate increases to a minimum, responding to community concerns about rising living costs. He remarked, “The feedback I received from the campaign indicates that the community is really feeling the cost-of-living increases at the moment. We have to do everything we can to ensure our rates increases are on the lower end and that people are not put into hardship.”

Erwood, despite not winning the mayoralty, topped the vote count for councillors. He expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was definitely pleased with that; it was good giving people an option. Both of us love the community, and we will do our utmost for it.”

The new council’s first meeting is scheduled for early November 2023, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Stratford’s governance. As Volzke prepares to lead once again, the focus will undoubtedly be on addressing the pressing needs of the community while navigating the challenges ahead.