Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule has been elected president of Local Government New Zealand.
Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast, who contested the presidency too, is the new deputy.
Bob Harvey, Waitakere mayor had earlier criticised local bodies supporting Yule’s nomination:
“It’s a brainless stand as the largest urban authority in New Zealand to not think through what the job entails and I’m surprised and amazed at their decision. Local government will be in serious trouble if they don’t come to their sense and realise that the job is beyond the mayor of a small rural district.”
Obviously enough of those who voted realise that size doesn’t matter and a president with an understanding of provincial issues and a deputy who knows about urban issues should ensure the views of all local authorities are understood and represented.
Update: I stand to be corrected on this but I think Yule was electorate chair for Michael Laws when he (Laws) was a National MP. The skills he’d need for that job will be very useful in his new role 🙂
Homepaddock 
Another victory for the right over the left, or is that over-simplifying things?
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You can call Bob Harvey left but I don’t think it’s fair to pin that label on Kerry Prendergast.
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