2001 Lower Hutt mayoral election

2001 Lower Hutt mayoral election

←  1998 13 October 2001 2004  →
Turnout	29,772 (45.76%)
Candidate John Terris Scott Dalziell Party Independent Hutt 2020 – Labour Popular vote 17,033 11,275 Percentage 57.21 37.87
Mayor before election John Terris Elected mayor John Terris

The 2001 Lower Hutt mayoral election was part of the wider 2001 New Zealand local elections. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Lower Hutt plus other local government positions including eleven city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background

The incumbent Mayor, John Terris, stood for a third term. He was opposed by Eastern Ward councillor Scott Dalziell. Terris stood on his record of halving the city's debt in his time as mayor and economic development. Dalziell campaigned against the council's narrow focus on debt levels, rates and punitive user-pay charges. ^[1] The Labour Party aligned Positive Focus ticket renamed to contest the election as Hutt 2020. ^[2] While campaigning in the election Dalziell was mauled in an attack from a dog and required plastic surgery. After the election he lobbied for rules on dog control and ownership to be tightened as a result. ^[3]

Mayoral results

The following table gives the election results:

2001 Lower Hutt mayoral election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	John Terris	17,033	57.21	−1.22
	Hutt 2020 – Labour	Scott Dalziell	11,275	37.87
Informal votes			1,464	4.91
Majority			5,758	19.34	−12.39
Turnout			29,772	45.76	−0.31

Ward results

See also: 2001 Hutt City local elections

Eleven candidates were also elected from wards to the Hutt City Council. ^[4]

Party/ticket		Councillors
	City Vision	5
	Independent	4
	Hutt 2020 – Labour	2

References

1. Schouten, Hank (9 May 2000). "Dalziell to contest Hutt mayoralty". The Evening Post . p. 2.
2. Schouten, Hank (5 March 2001). "Left-wing team aims to defeat Mayor Terris". The Evening Post . p. 3.
3. Boyack, Nicholas (29 July 2016). "Former Hutt politician once mauled by a dog dies in car crash". Stuff . Retrieved 11 April 2023.
4. "They're Your Call". The Evening Post . 15 October 2001. p. 17.