Emotions are running high for Ben Bell, a 23-year-old with no political experience, who has been elected Gore’s new mayor. An ecstatic Mr Bell found out the news at about 4pm and said it was still sinking in. The polling victory over incumbent Tracy Hicks makes Mr Bell the youngest mayor in New Zealand’s history. Mr Hicks (70) had been mayor since 2003. He said he would be on the phone with Mr Hicks later.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 13, 2022 19:32 UTC