1998 Invercargill mayoral election

A mayoral election was held in Invercargill on 10 October 1998 as part of the 1998 New Zealand local elections, and was conducted under the First Past the Post system.

1998 Invercargill mayoral election
← 1995 10 October 1998 2001 →
Turnout26,651
 
Candidate Tim Shadbolt David Harrington Marion Miller
Party Independent Independent Independent
Popular vote 13,805 8,052 3,899
Percentage 51.79 30.21 14.62

Mayor before election

David Harrington

Elected mayor

Tim Shadbolt

Background

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Former mayor Tim Shadbolt reclaimed the mayoralty he lost to David Harrington in the previous election. This was the beginning of a decades-long stint as mayor for Shadbolt.[1] Shadbolt had considered contesting the Queenstown mayoralty before deciding to run in Invercargill again.[2] Shadbolt once campaigned on Esk Street standing on a literal Lux soapbox.[3] Harrington cleared out his desk two days before the election, apparently resigned to his impending loss.[4]

Polling

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Poll source Date David
Harrington
Tim
Shadbolt
The Southland Times[4] October 1998 28.5% 45.6%

Results

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The following table gives the election results:

1998 Invercargill mayoral election[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Tim Shadbolt 13,805 51.79 +26.51
Independent David Harrington 8,052 30.21 −25.64
Independent Marion Miller 3,899 14.62
Independent Allan Johnstone 392 1.47
Independent Barry Hodge 383 1.43 +0.22
Independent James Stapleforth 120 0.45
Majority 5,753 21.58
Turnout 26,651

References

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  1. ^ "Tim Shadbolt among new Knights and Dames as New Year Honours recognise outstanding Kiwis". 1 News. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. ^ Nixon, Tina (9 January 1998). "Shadbolt to contest city mayoralty". The Southland Times.
  3. ^ "Different strokes". The Southland Times. 3 October 1998.
  4. ^ a b Madgwick, Paul (9 October 1998). "Harrington resigned to losing mayoralty". The Southland Times.
  5. ^ "Election '98". The Southland Times. 12 October 1998. p. 3.