MEDIA STATEMENT

21 November 2016

Petition against Mayoral Election withdrawn

Rotorua Lakes Council has welcomed the decision of Dr Reynold Macpherson to withdraw his petition to the District Court to set aside the mayoralty outcome.

Both Her Worship the Mayor Steve Chadwick and Rotorua Lakes Chief Executive Geoff Williams accept the decision today by Dr Macpherson to withdraw his petition which was heard in the Rotorua District Court last week and set down for further hearing beginning 29 November 2016.

Dr Macpherson said that in light of decisions made by the Court on Thursday 17 November, he had decided to withdraw his petition, meaning the election results as declared now stand.

Both Mayor Chadwick and Mr Williams believe this now draws a line on this matter and allows both the council and community to confidently move forward in the best interests of the district.

“This has been a major distraction and we now want to get on with the important business of council, which has been impacted by this court action,” said Mayor Chadwick.

Dr Macpherson said this decision has not been taken lightly and all parties agree that continuing with the petition is in no one’s interest.

In accepting Dr Macpherson’s withdrawal, both parties considered the mounting costs which can now be prevented from rising further.

All parties have also agreed to make no further comment concerning the matters raised in the petition, nor on the details of the settlement.

[ENDS]

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