Tony KokshoornGrey Mayor Tony Kokshoorn, the longest-serving mayor in Greymouth's history, has announced he will be retiring at the local body elections next year. By then he will have served 21 years on the council, 15 of those as mayor. He leaves a brand new $22million sports stadium and aquatic centre, and town square, which he says is a symbol of the town's transition from coal. Reflecting on his term so far, he said the hardest moment was the Pike River Mine tragedy, while the best was the money he had raised for charities. Although the town square has been controversial, he still counts it as a highlight and a turning point in Greymouth.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 23, 2018 17:08 UTC