Rex Kirton Not Seeking Re-Election As Upper Hutt’s Mayor

Mayor Rex Kirton announced today that he will not be seeking re-election for a ninth term as Mayor of Upper Hutt. He is currently the longest serving Mayor in New Zealand. Mr Kirton was first elected to the Upper Hutt City Council as a Councillor in 1974, and then successfully stood for Mayor in 1977.

Mr Kirton has overseen significant change and growth in Upper Hutt during his time at the helm and is pleased to be standing down when the city is doing so well. “There is just so much happening here at the moment”, said Mr Kirton. “The residential sector is booming, employment in the city is expanding, the retail areas are picking up and the number of visitors to the city is increasing due to the many events and attractions here”.

Mr Kirton is particularly proud of Upper Hutt becoming a leader in financial accountability and planning, promotion of the city creating its own identity and the many major projects and facilities e.g. H2O Xtream.

Mr Kirton said that standing down was not an easy decision to make, but that it was now time to move on. “I have spent nearly half my life on the Upper Hutt City Council, and while I will be sorry to finish up in October, I will go with many fond memories of the people and projects I have been involved with over the years as Mayor, and also with huge pride in the City of Upper Hutt”.

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