Gary Caffell’s mayoral campaign won over Masterton voters on less than half the budget of any of his rivals, election expense declarations reveal.
Caffell spent $4913.92 on pamphlets, posters, and advertising, and earned 5455 votes in the mayoral race.
He also received 5585 votes in the general ward, but was withdrawn from the spot after securing the mayoralty.
The biggest spender of Masterton’s mayoral candidates was Tina Nixon [$19,335.39], who received 895 votes.
The next biggest spenders were Bill Izard [$16,042.22], who attracted 650 votes, and Jo Hayes [$14,177.68], who secured 930 votes.
Fellow mayoral candidate Craig Bowyer spent $13,257.18 on his campaign and received 1335 votes.
Although unsuccessful in his mayoral bid, Bowyer still won a seat at the council table in the general ward.
Letting his reputation as a former councillor do the talking, Brent Goodwin won a spot as a councillor in the at-large ward without spending a cent.
He received 4028 votes with the slogan “reduce staff and civic centre costs”.
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