New Plymouth Mayor Shortlisted for World Mayor Award

New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent is in the running to be named World Mayor for 2010.

Run by City Mayors, an international think tank on urban affairs, the World Mayor Award honours Mayors with the vision, passion and skills to make their cities incredible places to live in, work in and visit.

Mayor Peter Tennent has reached a shortlist of 25 from around the world – whittled down from the 840 nominations received. Others on the shortlist are from Australia, Canada, USA, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Mayor Pete says reaching the shortlist is as much a reflection on New Plymouth and New Zealand as on himself.

“We’re recognised around the world as having strong local democracies where communities work together to make great things happen,” says the Mayor.

“What happens here in New Plymouth is representative of the New Zealand ethos – we’re all incredibly proud of this place and the lifestyle we all enjoy, but are always looking at how we can work together to make things even better.

“We’re also fortunate that as a community (and as a country) we have friends and supporters all around the world who are keen to help.

“I’m humbled, but very proud to be on the shortlist. I remain under no illusion, however – this award recognises all the good folk that live here and are associated with this place, for the huge positive difference we all collectively make,” he says.

Deputy Mayor Alex Matheson says Mayor Pete has played a large role in putting New Plymouth on the map during his nine years in the mayoralty.

“His enthusiasm and all-round vision for New Plymouth District are outstanding, and in my view his energy to enable that vision to come to fruition is second to none.

“On top of that, his work on the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs, Local Government New Zealand and Sister Cities means he’s had a positive impact beyond the borders of New Plymouth District,” says Mr Matheson.

The naming of the World Mayor title is decided in part by public vote, through www.worldmayor.com/contest_2010/world-mayor-2010-nominations.html. In 2008 more than 200,000 votes were cast.

In 2008 New Plymouth won three major awards at the international Liveable Communities (LivCom) Awards, including the Whole City Award (gold) as the best city of its size in the world (20,001-75,000 population category).