April 27, 2006
MEDIA RELEASE (For Immediate Release)
Councillor Sworn in
Carl Harding has returned to local body politics after winning a by-election for a seat on the Waitakere City Council.
He was formally sworn in as a Councillor last night (26 April).
Mr Harding, 55, who campaigned under the slogan “For a Fresh Start”, received 2,263 votes, around 1000 more than the
second placed candidate (former councillor Denise Yates). June Kearney was third with 1,099 votes. Gary Stewart and
Christine Shepherd received 645 and 633 votes respectively.
A former Auckland Regional and Waitemata City Councillor, Mr Harding, by a quirk of fate, helped launch Waitakere City
and briefly served the city at the time of amalgamation.
“Normally, you cease to be a councillor immediately before each election but in 1989, Waitemata City and Glen Eden, New
Lynn, and Henderson Boroughs ceased to exist and were rolled together into Waitakere City. So at that time we
councillors were asked to stay on for a period of time to assist with the changeover,” says Councillor Harding.
Cr Harding was a member of the “Tim’s Team” ticket on the former Waitemata City Council and was chairman of its works
committee.
The by-election in the Waitakere ward was forced by the resignation of Mr Pat Booth, due to ill health.
ENDS