Kokshoorn back for third term

Tony Kokshoorn was the only West Coast mayor to be returned to office unopposed this morning, winning his third term.
“I’m humbled — to be elected twice and not be challenged is really gratifying,” he said after the close of nominations at midday.
Heading off for a celebratory lunch with his family, he said he would next week release his personal plans for the next three years.
The eastern, northern and southern wards are also uncontested for the Grey District Council, which means Peter Haddock, Cliff Sandrey, Paul Berry and Milton Osborne have all been returned unopposed. But in the central ward (Greymouth), six candidates are fighting over four seats.
In Westland, Maureen Pugh’s honeymoon is over. She was unopposed last time but will now have to fight off her former councillor, Peter Davidson.
She said today she was looking forward to the campaign.
“I’m well prepared, and I’ve got my strategy mapped out. I’m looking forward to a good, clean competition.”
In Buller, it is the battle of the Pats. Pat McManus, who headed Pat O’Dea last time by about 400 votes, will again face off, with council debt a large issue.
The Westland council is also hotly contested — five are running for the three northern seats, and eight for the four
Hokitika seats.
However, in the south John Birchfield, Kerry Eggeling and Bryce Thomson are all back unopposed.
The Development West Coast election took an exciting turn a few minutes before noon, when Greymouth lawyer Colin Smith challenged John Clayton for the sole Grey seat. The Westland ward will see an even bigger contest, with incumbent Bruce Smith challenged by Evan Jones, Flow In and Frank Wall.
In Westport, Frank Dooley will be up against Robert Terry and Barry Jones.
The West Coast District Health Board also had a flood of late nominations, with all current members up against newcomers David Orchard, Robyn Gifford-Moore, Margaret Cameron-Cowan, Neil Stevenson, Karen Hamilton, Mary Molloy, Paula Cutbush and Doug Truman.
The biggest fight will be in Westport, where 18 candidates are vying for just six seats on the Buller District Council.
The West Coast Regional Council has its first ‘green’ candidates trying for a seat. In Grey, Peter Ewen, Andrew Robb and Allan Birchfield are up against newcomers Andy England and Ian Cummings. In Buller, Ross Scarlett and Terry Archer are being challenged by Reefton business owner Peter Jopson. Westland, currently held by Bryan Chinn and Duncan Davidson, is also being contested by Mark Mellsop-Melssen, Jon Sullivan, John Wood, Doug Appleby and Terence Sheridan.