New Gore District Mayor and Councillors sworn in at ceremony

The Gore District Council marked two significant milestones today when the mayor and councillors for the next triennium were sworn in.

First, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell became New Zealand’s youngest ever mayor, at 23 years of age.

He won the mayoralty in October’s local body elections by eight votes from Tracy Hicks, who sought his seventh term as mayor.

The other milestone was the swearing in of brothers Paul and Richard McPhail. This is the first time in the Council’s history that brothers have served together.

It is Paul’s first time on council, while it is the second term for younger brother Richard.

Today’s swearing in ceremony started with a pōwhiri, led by the Hokonui Rūnanga.

Mayor Bell and Cr Paul McPhail were two of five new faces sworn in. Joining them around the Council table will be Crs Keith Hovell, Joe Stringer and Robert McKenzie.

Councillors who successfully sought re-election were Crs Bret Highsted, Bronwyn Reid, Glenys Dickson and McPhail. Crs Neville Phillips, John Gardyne and Stewart MacDonnell retained their seats uncontested.

The Council will hold its first meeting of the new triennium on Tuesday 22 November.