Sat 12 Oct 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Longtime GLBTI community friend Lianne Dalziel has romped home in the Christchurch mayoralty race. The former Labour MP has received more than 70,000 votes, which is nearly 50,000 more than her closest rival. As an MP Dalziel was a strong supporter of abolishing the 'gay panic' defense' which used to regularly see the killers of glbti people receive lesser sentences than the killers of other people. Christchurch identity Miss Mole is delighted with her friend's success, and is offering congratulations. "She will lead Christchurch into the future with passion and skill," Miss Mole says. "Lianne is a huge supporter of gay issues and was a presenter at my Gay Oscars a record 16 times. Bravo to you and every best wish." In Auckland, Pride Festival supporting Mayor Len Brown has retained the chains, and is celebrating at sports bar The Kingslander. A last minute influx of votes, and the use of the complex STV system, means it won't be clear whether Jenny Rowan has retained the Kapiti mayoralty until after 6PM. Find out how her bid went here Wellington results are also still yet to come, also due to the use of STV. Wellington details here Jacquie Grant has missed on becoming Westland Mayor, after a close race where she narrowly finished third. Grant Seton missed out in Palmerston North, where the STV system was also used. Denise Yates is among the strong line-up of Auckland local board representation (picture by Andrea) As for GLBTI candidates on local boards, Auckland representation remains strong. Simon Randall has been elected back onto the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board unopposed. Preliminary results suggest Christopher Dempsey will be back on the Waitemata Local Board, Richard Hills has been re-elected to the Kaipataki Local Board, while Peter Skelton is safe on the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board, as is Denise Yates in Waitakere Ranges. Hills says he is "so happy" to be re-elected, but is finding it hard to celebrate with such a low turnout. "But that'll be something I work on," he vows. Gay Aucklander Russell Clark missed out on a seat on the Henderson-Massey Local Board, but remains upbeat. Russell Clark missed out on a local board seat (picture by Andrea) "While I'm disappointed I don't get to represent our people have not won another voice on local level, I will continue to stand up for our communities. And I look forward to campaigning again in the future," he's told GayNZ.com Daily News. On a side note, two members of Colin Craig's anti-gay conservatives, Christine Rankin and Callum Blair, have made it on to the Upper Harbour Local Board. Any GLBTI candidates who would like their results included can email news@gaynz.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 12th October 2013 - 2:23pm