Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fourth terms for mayors of Napier, Hastings and Wairoa

Updated at 8:47 pm on 9 October 2010

The Mayor of Napier Barbara Arnott has been returned to office for a fourth term.

Mrs Arnott defeated first time challenger Michelle Pyke, by more than 8000 votes.

Ms Pyke was successful in securing a seat on the Napier Council.

The Mayor of Hastings Lawrence Yule has also been re-elected for a fourth term.

Mr Yule who is also President of Local Government New Zealand, won comfortably by 4500 votes from his nearest rival Simon Nixon.

His majority over Mr Nixon was only slightly less than it was in 2007.

Mr Yule says his main priority is to see the Hastings, Napier and Hawke's Bay Regional Councils amalgamate and he wants a review and hearings held by late next year.

The incumbent Mayor of Wairoa in northern Hawke's Bay has been re-elected for a fourth term.

Les Probert who runs a sheep and cattle property, secured almost 200 votes more than the combined total of his four challengers.

Central Hawke's Bay has a new mayor, Peter Butler.

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