McVicker looks to future (+video)

Ousted Rotorua Lakes councillor Mike McVicker says he is looking forward to swapping the council agendas for a summer spent on Lake Rotoiti now he's lost his council seat.

But he still plans to be involved in the issues he is passionate about - including lobby group Hobson's Pledge which wants to drive "race-based" privilege and policies out of central and local government

While Mr McVicker originally expected another term as a Rotorua Lakes councillor after Saturday night's election results, by late last night the counting of late votes saw Karen Hunt overtake him for the final spot.

Mr McVicker said the thought of losing his seat didn't even cross his mind when the phone number of council chief executive Geoff Williams flashed up on his phone last night.

He said while it was disappointing, he had spoken to the electoral officer, accepted the news and wasn't going to lose any sleep over it.

"I was rather startled when it first hit me.

"I was disappointed but you soon learn in this politics game, you win some, you lose some. I won on Saturday and lost on Sunday."

He told the Rotorua Daily Post he had enjoyed most of the four terms he had spent on council.

"I haven't particularly enjoyed this last term to be honest. When you are out of favour with the boss ... you are on the outside."

Mr McVicker said it was hard to say whether news of his role in Hobson's Pledge during the campaign had cost him any votes.

"It might have lost me some but it might have gained me some."

However he believed those who knew him would have been unsurprised.

He said resigning as portfolio lead for the council's Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy group after his leaking of details from the Te Arawa Partnership proposal probably resulted in his losing some of his involvement with the community.

But he said he had no hesitation leaking the details to the media and said his role with the Te Arawa issue and letting the community know what was planned was one of the things he was proudest of.

"I have no regrets whatsoever."

He said getting on the council in the first place, and serving four terms, was also something he was proud of.

"I would have very much liked to have curtailed the Te Arawa Partnership proposal."

He said trying to make sure everyone had equal rights was something he would continue to pursue more actively.

Mr McVicker said he had no plans to stand for council again in the future.

"I've done my dash. I want to get out and enjoy life."

Fishing and sailing on Lake Rotoiti would be the priority. While he is retired Mr McVicker said he would "probably find something to keep myself busy".

Mike McVicker

- First elected to council in 2004
- Has served four terms
- Outspoken about issues such as the Te Arawa Partnership proposal
- Had previously been Sustainable Economic Growth Strategy portfolio lead