By Alexandra Newlove - Northern AdvocateA shaking Sheryl Mai, champagne glass in hand, says she is "overwhelmed, rapt, thrilled" with the outcome of today's election. The incumbent mayor has romped home in Whangarei's mayoral race, winning nearly three times as many votes (13,170) as ambitious businessman rival David Blackley, who received 4,765 votes. "I'm over the moon, and the stars, and Mars and Pluto, all those planets," Ms Mai, now entering her second term as Whangarei mayor, said. Other mayoral candidates were Stuart Bell (2,824), Kay Brittenden (861), Matt Keene (840) and Ash Holwell (834). Mr Blackley, as well as missing out on the mayoralty, was beaten by incumbent Greg Innes by more than 1000 votes in Whangarei Heads ward.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 08, 2016 05:15 UTC