Media Release

19 October 2016

Whangarei Mayor cements stable leadership with Deputy Mayor re-appointment

Whangarei Mayor, Sheryl Mai’s decision to re-appoint fourth-term Councillor Sharon Morgan as Deputy Mayor cements a stable second term leadership for the new term of Council.

“It is 15 years since Whangarei had the continuity of a second term mayor and deputy mayor,” Mayor Mai says.

“We have already proved a winning team, and I am delighted Sharon has once again agreed to become Deputy Mayor which gives us the opportunity to continue building on the traction, momentum and progress of previous terms of Council.”

Councillor Morgan was first elected to represent her Maungatapere/Mangakahia ward in 2007. She was elected unopposed in the following two elections, and re-elected in the 8 October 2016 election. Mayor Mai is also serving her fourth term on Council, two as a councillor for the Denby ward and now as Mayor for a second consecutive term.

“Sharon and I bring extensive Council and leadership experience to our partnership; we are hard working, have similar values and principles, and are both deeply committed to Whangarei and its people,” Mayor Mai says.

“Combined, our interests cover the spectrum of Council business, and our networks and affiliations reach into a wide range of Whangarei communities.”

Mayor Mai says that she and Councillor Morgan have spent the time since the 8 October election going over the new council’s roles, committee structures and systems.

“Because Sharon and I know and understand each other so well, we were able to hit the ground running to create a sound platform from which our new council can function effectively,” Mayor Mai says.

Council is due to be sworn in at a public ceremony in Te Kotahitanga, the Exhibition Hall in Forum North, at 5.30pm on Tuesday 25 October. The ceremony constitutes the first full meeting of Council, which will be adjourned after the swearing in and reconvened in Council Chambers the next day.

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