KEY POINTS:
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule has beaten Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast for the presidency of Local Government New Zealand.
Mr Yule polled 151 votes to Ms Prendergast's 83.
LGNZ is the umbrella organisation for 83 city, district and regional councils, and works as their advocate with central government.
Mr Yule said he would initially focus on establishing a position for district and regional councils on policies before this year's general election.
He was elected despite Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey saying that the job was too big for the mayor of a small rural council, and that Environment Canterbury and Auckland Regional Council were misguided in their support for Mr Yule.
Mr Yule said Mr Harvey's public criticism had backfired, swinging more votes his way.
Ms Prendergast has been appointed as his deputy.
- NZPA
