Benjamin Stace wins final Marlborough council seat by 29 votes

Kira Carrington/LDR

Benjamin Stace has secured a seat at the Marlborough District Council table, narrowly beating fellow Blenheim ward candidate Tamsin Cooper.

The preliminary result released on Monday, which excludes special votes, put Stace 29 votes ahead of Cooper.

Electoral officer Dean Heiford said that it was unlikely the special votes would bridge that gap.

Stace said it was a relief to finally know the outcome, after a progress count on Saturday afternoon was too close to call.

“It was pretty horrible, not knowing whether or not to celebrate,” Stace said.

“[Now] it feels like it’s time to talk to the mayor and the other councillors about getting a rhythm set, to get to work.”

The architectural designer had campaigned on a platform that prioritised infrastructure, parking, town planning, and improving council processes.

Stace said his previous experience working at the council as a draughtsman meant he was starting out with some knowledge of how things worked.

“I've got a pretty good understanding at this stage, but always more to learn,” he said.

“[Councillor] Brian Dawson and I have been good friends for years and have discussed what’s what, what happens, and how things work.

“Having worked at council, [I] have seen councillors working with the staff in there, in different departments, to make sure the governance side works with the day-to-day.”

Stace said his goals for the upcoming term were to take a long-term approach to planning, to foster growth in the region, and to secure central government investment.

“[I’ll be] looking at growth, expanding the town in Blenheim here, helping council to help develop and go smoothly, which they can be good at, but can always use more work,” he said.

“That will help broaden the [ratepayer] base, which will hopefully help with these rate rises that we've been dealing with.”

Stace would join newcomers Cyril Dawson and John Hyndman in the Blenheim ward, and Malcolm Taylor was the only other newcomer elected, to a seat in the Marlborough Sounds ward.

The rest of the council was made up of incumbent councillors, with Raylene Innes and Barbara Faulls in the Marlborough Sounds ward, and in the Blenheim ward, Deborah Dalliessi, David Croad, Brian Dawson and Thelma Sowman.

The returning Wairau-Awatere ward councillors, Gerald Hope, Sally Arbuckle and Scott Adams, were elected unopposed, as was Māori ward councillor Allanah Burgess, whose role Marlburians voted to disestablish from 2028. Incumbent mayor Nadine Taylor was also re-elected.

Cooper said she was disappointed with the result but resolved to find another way to contribute to the community.

“After Saturday's results, I was still hopeful. I knew it was probably unlikely, but I was still hopeful,” Cooper said.

“I really feel really strongly about representing the voices of the people that support me, and I’m so thankful for the support.

“I’m not even from here, and so to get so close is very humbling.

“I would still like to represent the community in some way, and I'll be looking for some opportunities.”

Cooper, a fashion designer who had previously worked on CBD revitalisation with the Dunedin City Council, had campaigned with a focus on community and economic development.

Cooper said she found she really enjoyed campaigning.

“I found it really positive, made heaps of great connections in the community and really enjoyed talking to business owners, and learning more about what the issues are that surround us in Marlborough.”

Cooper said she was hoping to run again in 2028.

“I've been asked already to stand again, which is really lovely ... I would seriously consider it at the moment.

“But of course, you don't know what life throws you ... I want to make sure I have the time to dedicate to it.”

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