Former Gore mayor Tracy Hicks said the previous term had been difficult because of factors that included the Government’s reform agenda. Six-term mayor Mr Hicks lost a close mayoralty contest in Gore to 23-year-old Ben Bell and three-term Southland mayor Mr Tong was a tight third behind runner-up Geoffrey Young and winner Rob Scott. Both Mr Tong and Mr Hicks lamented low voter turnout. "A lot of relationships will need to be built up fairly quickly," Mr Tong said. He described Mr Hicks and Mr Tong as "hardworking representatives who cared deeply about their communities, and whose support and advice I cherished".

Source: Otago Daily Times October 16, 2022 20:47 UTC