Neil Volzke Secures Sixth Term as Stratford Mayor in Close Race

In a closely contested election, Neil Volzke has won the mayoralty of Stratford for a sixth consecutive term, potentially becoming the longest-serving current mayor in the country. Preliminary results indicate that Volzke secured victory with a margin of just 219 votes over his opponent, Jono Erwood. The final vote count will determine if Wayne Guppy, the mayor of Upper Hutt since 2001, has been defeated by his challenger, Peri Zee. If Guppy loses, Volzke will claim the title, surpassing former mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt.

Volzke expressed relief at the conclusion of the campaign and optimism for the challenges ahead. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of the next three years; it will be a testing time for councils,” he stated. The newly elected council will welcome four or five new members, who will face significant learning curves.

The preliminary results, released on October 29, 2023, highlighted other notable outcomes in the council elections. Newcomer Josh Best finished third in the urban ward, while incumbent Hemi Haddon faced stiff competition in the Māori Ward. Volzke noted that he was not surprised by the district’s decision to reject retaining the Māori Ward beyond 2028, citing the feedback he received during the campaign.

Challenges Ahead for the New Council

Volzke emphasized the importance of engaging with the Māori community in the upcoming term, stating that the council has a responsibility to ensure their voices are heard. He identified the establishment of a new business unit, Local Water Done Well, as a key priority for the incoming council.

Another pressing issue is the need to manage rising costs for residents. “The feedback I received from the campaign is that the community is feeling the strain of the increasing cost of living,” Volzke remarked. He aims to keep any rate increases to a minimum, ensuring that financial burdens do not exacerbate residents’ hardships.

Erwood, while disappointed not to secure the mayoralty, topped the vote for councillors and expressed satisfaction with his performance. “I was definitely pleased with that; it was good giving people an option,” he said, adding that both he and Volzke are committed to serving the community.

The new council is scheduled to hold its first meeting in early November 2023, marking the beginning of their term and the start of addressing the various challenges that lie ahead.