Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown Will Not Stand For Third Term

Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 8:13 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Neil Brown won't seek a third term as Ashburton Mayor, which he described as one of the most difficult decisions of his life.

As has become his tradition, Brown played a song as councillors waited for the meeting to start – this time it was the cult Clash hit, Should I Stay or Should I go.

Brown left his announcement to the end of the open part of Wednesday’s meeting.

“My decision is for me to not seek a third term as mayor.

“It doesn’t mean I stop here and now. We still have six months left of this term and I have work to do.

“It is pedal to the metal right to October.”

Brown has been at the council table for 21 years - four terms as a councillor, one as deputy mayor and two as mayor.

“This time has been very rewarding for me."

Brown said he made the decision before Christmas but waited as “the only thing I had to confirm was have I changed my mind”.

“This decision is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.”

Numerous people had offered their support to him to stand for a third term, he said.

His speech to council focused on the reoccurrence of the number three during his time on council, which proved a red herring to his decision.

He outlined he had served with three mayors (Bede O’Malley, Angus McKay, and Donna Favel), three deputy mayors (John Leadley, Darryl Nelson and Liz McMillan), and three chief executives (Brian Lester, Andrew Dalziel, Hamish Riach), and has been in meetings in three council chambers.

Councillors reacting to his announcement offered praise for his service, only for Brown to remind them there was still six months of the term to go.

Nominations for the mayor open on July 1, but the mayoral race is already underway in Ashburton.

“To the person who wins, you will find it a very rewarding and satisfying role.

“I also see the next mayor coming from around this table.”

First-term councillor Rob Mackle announced earlier this week his intention to run for mayor and said he was surprised by Brown’s decision.

The first mayoral candidate to come forward was Jeff Ryan.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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