1983 Christchurch mayoral election

The 1983 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1983, election were held for the Mayor of Christchurch plus other local government positions. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

1983 Christchurch mayoral election

← 1980 8 October 1983 1986 →
Turnout	41,827
Candidate Hamish Hay Rex Lester Party Citizens' Labour Popular vote 27,263 14,065 Percentage 65.18 33.62
Mayor before election Hamish Hay Elected mayor Hamish Hay

Background

Incumbent Mayor Hamish Hay was re-elected with an increased majority, defeating the deputy mayor Rex Lester of the Labour Party. In addition to Hay retaining the mayoralty there was a concurrent swing towards the Citizens' Association leaving the composition of the council at eleven seats to the Citizens' Association with eight to the Labour Party.^[1]

Earlier in the day Lester's home was broken into by burglars who stole his bicycle and sporting gear.^[1]

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1983 Christchurch mayoral election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Citizens'	Hamish Hay	27,263	65.18	+11.88
	Labour	Rex Lester	14,065	33.62
	Economic Euthenics	Tubby Hansen	274	0.65	−0.68
Informal votes			225	0.53	+0.14
Majority			13,198	31.55	+23.22
Turnout			41,827

Ward results

Candidates were also elected from wards to the Christchurch City Council.^[1][3][4]

	Party/ticket	Councillors
	Citizens'	11
	Labour	8