Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.
Contested 2 races — 2 elected
Gore District Mayor Ben Bell alongside new deputy mayor Joe Stringer at the inauguration last Tuesday. Both share a vision of driving Gore towards economic growth and further business opportunities to help take the town forward. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERG The new-look Gore District Council was sworn in last Tuesday in a packed council chamber.
Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell (left) alongside Gore District Mayor Ben Bell talks to Hokonui Breakfast host Kirstin Chittock as the minister visited Southland following a severe weather event last week. PHOTO:SUPPLIED Now the wind has settled down, the cleanup begins, with a big job of dealing with the debris and damage around the district.
In his first term as Gore mayor, Ben Bell had a public falling out with the former council chief executive and faced a possible vote of no confidence.
Winner: the endless cycle of underinvestment in core infrastructure. Big loser: the pipes.
Ben Bell made history as the district’s youngest-ever mayor in 2022, but things soured.
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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.