Donovan “absolutely thrilled” with Hamilton East by-election win
Former chief executive of Donovan’s chocolates, Mark Donovan, was declared the winner of the East Ward by-election on Wednesday, August 25, and replaces former Silver Fern Margaret Forsyth.
The former chief executive of Donovan’s chocolates is Hamilton city’s newest councillor.
Mark Donovan was declared the winner of the East Ward by-election on Wednesday, August 25, and replaces former Silver Fern Margaret Forsyth who died in early May.
He received a congratulatory 1pm call yesterday from Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate.
“I am absolutely thrilled about this news and am looking forward to working hard for everyone that voted for me,” the new councillor said from his home, where he was with daughter Kayley, due to lockdown restrictions.
He planned to celebrate that evening “in person and virtually with family members.” A more formal celebration will follow, once restrictions lift.
Donovan is an alumnus of University of Waikato and brings to Hamilton City Council a mix of managerial and sales/relationship management experience.
He was the owner and CEO of Waikato business Donovan’s Chocolate, established in 1991 by parents Patrick and Gayle Donovan, before the company was sold to Prolife Foods in 2011.
“Over the next 12 months, it is my intention to upskill on procedure and pressing issues, continue to get out and about and meet people, and advocate for our Ward as I build relationships amongst stakeholders in and around Council,” he said.
Donovan also acknowledges the 23 candidates who ran alongside him.
“There were many good women and men that contested a great by-election. I respect all that put their names up and gave it their best shot.”
Mayor Paula Southgate congratulated Donovan publicly, shortly after the results were released.
“I want to congratulate Mark and warmly welcome him on board,” said Southgate.
“We have some huge and complex challenges ahead of us and the decisions we make will impact Hamilton for generations. So I look forward to helping Mark get up to speed very quickly so he can understand what’s at stake and make a full contribution, quickly.”
The election attracted 24 candidates and a turnout of 20.7 per cent of voters – down from the 23.2 per cent at the city’s last by-election in 2018.
Donovan won 1774 votes. He was one of only three candidates to attract more than 1000 supporters.
Results: Mark Donovan 1774 votes, Anna Casey-Cox 1566, Anna Smart 1470, Peter Humphreys 929, Ada Xiao 903, Horiana Henderson 779, Naomi Pocock 634, Emma Pike 577, Lisa Lewis 569, Wiremu Taylor Puke 444, Riki Manarangi 361, Pirihira Kaio 291, Ross Macleod 280, Donna Pokere-Phillips 247, Jack Gielen 209, Roshni Desai 209, Chris van der Aa 193, Colm McKeogh 180, Daniel Pascoe – 129, Ritesh Chandra 125, Kat Waswo 120, Jennifer Myers 57, Michelle Houghton 47, Christopher Manson 40. Informal 37, Blank 8.
Hamilton City Council has since updated its voting website, with the next item on its agenda being the addition of Maaori ward seats. The council will hear verbal submissions from the public on October 12-13, 2021.
With Lockdown restrictions in place, Donovan must wait to meet his fellow councillors in person, but is expected to attend meetings by Zoom. You can view Hamilton City Council’s upcoming agenda, via its website.
