Stratford elected in Kawakawa/Moerewa

Former Trainspotter Cafe co-owner Kelly Stratford has won a byelection for the Kawakawa-Moerewa seat on the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board.

The Karetu resident won 359 votes in the preliminary count to Kathy Dunn's 236. The byelection was forced by the resignation of Margaret Wikaire who moved to Auckland last last year for family reasons. Ms Dunn was standing on behalf of the Ngati Hine runanga.

Mrs Stratford and her husband Dan, of Karetu, owned Kawakawa's popular Trainspotter Cafe for 12 years. They sold it last year but still own the adjoining bookshop. She has been involved in community and business association causes for several years and compiles the local newsletter.

Mrs Stratford said she knew both Moerewa and Kawakawa communities well. Her challenge would be to make sure they were equally represented and that the two communities worked together to mutual advantage.

Of Kawakawa-Moerewa's 2216 eligible voters, 595 or just under 27 per cent took part in the postal ballot. Voting closed at noon on Tuesday.

In another byelection a few days earlier, Kaitaia businessman and former Far North District councillor Monty Knight won the Northland Regional Council's Te Hiku seat by just five votes over his closest rival Mike Finlayson. Given the closeness of the result a judicial recount may be requested.

Meanwhile, Kaikohe's John Schollum has resigned as chairman of the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board, citing the difficulty of balancing the role with a full-time job.

Mr Schollum will remain as a board member so no byelection will be required. His decision will take effect from March 12 with the board due to elect one of its members as the new chair on March 24.

Mr Schollum has held the role since the 2013 local elections but said he could not to justice to it and his job. "Although my employer has been very understanding, having two roles was impacting on my ability to give 100 per cent. It's just too hard to do both."

Mr Schollum was first elected to the board in a 2008 by-election and was deputy chair from 2010-13.

He said his most satisfying achievement was working with former councillor Tracy Dalton to secure funding for the extension of the Twin Coast Pou Herenga Tai Cycle Trail. He had also enjoyed working with many of the ward's smaller communities.