Rankin elected to Waitemata DHB

Former Work and Income boss Christine Rankin has won a place on the Waitemata District Health Board, along with former long-distance runner Alison Roe and health campaigner Sandra Coney, preliminary results coming in for district health boards around the country, show.

Ms Rankin headed Work and Income in the 1990s, but failed to have her contract renewed amid claims of luxury spend-ups by the department's staff. She mounted a colourful legal challenge to her dismissal in 2001. She has also been a controversial Families Commissioner, publicly leading a group opposing the anti-smacking laws.

She recently made headlines again, after her fourth marriage to Wellington man Kim MacIntyre. Mr MacIntyre's previous wife, real estate agent Margo McAuley, took her own life due to stress from their marriage breakdown, the coroner ruled last month.

For detailed results, go to www.elections2010.co.nz

- NZPA