Far North District Council recount

An application for a recount has been lodged with the District Court by Les King, a Value for Ratepayers candidate who polled 15 votes behind successful Far North District Council candidate Laurie Byers.


The two men were among eight candidates vying for two Western ward seats on the council, won by Value for Ratepayers candidate Cr Sally Macauley with 1440 votes, followed by Cr Byers with 1162 votes. Les King received 1147 votes.


The decision whether or not to allow the recount application will be made by a District Court judge, possibly this week. If the judge allows the application, the recount will probably be carried out by the district’s electoral office next week.


Meanwhile Cr Byers will make the official declaration of office along with the other successful council and community board candidates at a ceremony in the Far North District Council chambers at Kaikohe this Monday (November 5) at 1pm.


If Mr King’s application for a recount is allowed and is successful, he will make his declaration of office in a separate ceremony.