1989 Porirua mayoral election

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1989 Porirua mayoral election

← 1986 14 October 1989 1992 →
Turnout13,921 (56.00%)
 
Candidate John Burke Ken Mair
Party Labour Independent
Popular vote 8,991 4,131
Percentage 64.58 29.67

Mayor before election

John Burke

Elected Mayor

John Burke

The 1989 Porirua mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Porirua plus other local government positions including thirteen city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background[edit]

The 1989 local elections were the first following a major overhaul of local government in New Zealand. The Horokiwi riding of the Hutt County Council had been absorbed into Porirua in 1988.[1]

The incumbent Mayor, John Burke, stood for a third term and was successful. He was re-elected by a comfortable margin of over 4,000 votes over Ken Mair, an activist. Mair said he was surprised by how many votes he received and he was "only testing the water" in standing. Media speculated that the level of votes against Labour were reflective of public mood against the policies of the Fourth Labour Government, rather than about local issues. Labour still won a narrow majority of seats on the council.[2]

Mayoral results[edit]

The following table gives the election results:

1989 Porirua mayoral election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Burke 8,991 64.58 +2.46
Independent Ken Mair 4,131 29.67
Informal votes 799 5.73 +3.10
Majority 4,860 34.91 +3.07
Turnout 13,921 56.00 +19.00

Ward results[edit]

Candidates were also elected from wards to the Porirua City Council.[2]

Party/ticket Councillors
Labour 7
Independent 6

References[edit]

  1. ^ Penman, Neil; Penman, June (2015). A portrait of Porirua : the creation of a planned city. Penmanship Press. p. 178. ISBN 9780473258672.
  2. ^ a b Olsen, Rob (16 October 1989). "Mayor Burke pledges a team approach". The Evening Post. p. 4.
  3. ^ "City of Porirua - Declaration of Results of Election". The Evening Post. 28 October 1989. p. 27.