21 February 2008
Media Release

Mayor Shadbolt voted the country’s hottest Mayor

It’s official – Invercargill’s Tim Shadbolt is the country’s hottest mayor, according to the thousands of fans who voted for him today on grabaseat.co.nz

The mayors of Invercargill, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Dunedin were competing for top honours in the inaugural “Mayor Idol” run by Air New Zealand’s grabaseat.

More than 14,000 votes were lodged during a polling frenzy at grabaseat.co.nz.

It was a hard-fought tussle between the Mayors of Invercargill and Palmerston North, but Mayor Shadbolt’s pulling power was enough to secure his constituents 1000 $1 seats on Invercargill-Christchurch flights.

Mayor Shadbolt gained 32% of the votes lodged, Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor 30%, Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin 22% and Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock 16%.

The enthusiastic support for Mayor Naylor saw his city gain 1000 $20 seats on Palmerton North-Auckland.

Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin, in finishing third, secured 1000 $30 seats between Dunedin and Christchurch, while Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock, in fourth place, scored 1000 $40 seats between Hamilton and Wellington.

Fares will go on sale from midnight at grabaseat.conz, starting with the $40 fares, and will be staggered throughout the day, working down to the $1 fares.

Air New Zealand General Manager Domestic Network Stephen Jones said the mayors got right in behind the Mayor Idol campaign, having great fun with the “campaign slogans” designed by grabaseat.

“Mayor Shadbolt was a determined campaigner – even showing that he was willing to get his kit off on TV3 this morning to secure the $1 fares for Invercargill travellers.”

Mayor Shadbolt, who was visiting Wellington today, said he was tickled pink to receive the honour.

“It’s a hot day here in Wellington and winning this title will just add to my hotness for sure,” he said.

The grabaseat campaign was the first to involve local Mayors, and was designed to highlight Air New Zealand’s intention to fly Boeing 737s into at least two of the four regions.

“We’re as excited about the prospect of jet services expanding into Invercargill as we are about winning the $1 seats today,” Mayor Shadbolt said.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor said he’d been encouraged by the level of support he’d received from his community.

“Mayor Shadbolt has been in the job 18 years – I’ve been in the job 18 weeks and to come that close to him is really encouraging and augers well for a bright future!”

Mayor Naylor said the 1000 $20 seats between Auckland and Palmerston North was great news for his city.

“It gives the people of Palmerston North the opportunity to enjoy some time in Auckland and it will be great to get a whole bunch of Aucklanders down to our city to spend their money here!”

Final results:

1st place Invercargill-Christchurch 1000 fares at $1 (travel period 07/04/08 27/04/08)

2nd place Palmerston North-Auckland 1000 fares at $20 (travel period 07/04/08 – 27/04/08)

3rd place Dunedin-Christchurch 1000 fares at $30 (travel period 12/05/08 – 01/06/08)

4th place Hamilton-Wellington 1000 fares at $40 (travel period 20/04/08 – 11/05/08)

Ends

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