1921 Wellington City mayoral election explained

Election Name:1912 Wellington City mayoral election
Country:New Zealand
Flag Image:Wellington Coat Of Arms.svg
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1919 Wellington City mayoral election
Previous Year:1919
Next Election:1923 Wellington City mayoral election
Next Year:1923
Election Date:27 April 1921
Turnout:20,518 (51.90%)
Candidate1:Robert Wright
Party1:Civic League
Popular Vote1:13,405
Percentage1:65.33
Candidate2:Pat Hickey
Party2:New Zealand Labour Party
Popular Vote2:7,113
Percentage2:34.66
Mayor
Before Election:John Luke
After Election:Robert Wright

The 1921 Wellington City mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1921, elections were held for the Mayor of Wellington plus other local government positions including fifteen city councillors. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background and candidates

The long serving incumbent Mayor John Luke did not seek re-election. To replace retiring Mayor Luke five "anti-Labour" candidates emerged, which caused fear of vote splitting and a repeat of the 1912 election. As such, two immediately withdrew and the remaining three agreed to submit to the decision of an impartial committee to decide which one of them was most suitable.

The three aspirants for the Civic League nomination were:[1]

Thomas Hislop, a former mayor from 1905 to 1909, also intended to stand as an independent candidate, eschewing the Civic League's nomination process.[1] However after receiving multiple requests Hislop decided to withdraw from the election.[2]

The Labour Party selected Pat Hickey as its mayoral candidate. Hickey was the editor of the Maoriland Worker newspaper.[3]

Wright defeated Hickey for the mayoralty in a two horse race. The election was also notable due to the success of Annie McVicar, who became the first woman to be elected as a city councillor in Wellington's history.

References

Notes and References

  1. News: City Mayoralty - Coming Contest . . 2 March 1921 . XLVII . 10838 . 5 .
  2. News: The Mayoralty - Hon. T. Hislop Retires . . 18 April 1921 . XLVII . 10877 . 5 .
  3. News: News of the Day . . 22 October 1920 . XLVI . 10727 . 4 .