There were mixed emotions among some successful and unsuccessful Tauranga City Council candidates in the 2013 election today. SunLive spoke to both the old and new faces after results were released.

Long-standing councilors Murray Guy and Bill Faulkner are outgoing councilors in the 2013 election.

Bill Faulkner

After standing for Tauranga City Council off and on for 30 years outgoing councilor Bill Faulkner is remaining 'philosophical”.

Bill was first elected for city council in 1983 and has lost his seat twice. He has served the last four terms as a city councilor, but his recent campaign to return has been unsuccessful. He was at home when he heard the news.

'It's a three year fixed term contract and that's it. I'm pretty philosophical about it.”

After a long-serving career Bill says there are a number of reasons why he thought he would be at risk because of his constant forefront in council controversy.

'By getting on and doing things you run the risk of this and you either pander to the electorate or you get on and do the business. So I chose to get on and do the business.”

Bill wishes the new council 'good luck”.

Tony Christiansen

After serving his first term on council outgoing councilor Tony Christiansen is planning to 'pick up where he left off” with his motivational speaking career.

In the last three years Tony has enjoyed being a part of city enhancements including the redevelopment of Tauranga's waterfront and the recent development of a boardwalk along Pilot Bay.

Among other projects, Tony was looking forward to the redevelopment of Tauranga CBD and seeing a new library in Greerton.

He says TCC has seen its most difficult triennium yet with the council seeing three CEO's elected in three years, the death of former CEO Ken Paterson in June 2012 and the Rena grounding in October 2010.

'No other council has ever had that thrust on them before.”

Joining council for the desire to make a difference to the city - Tony wants to be remembered as a 'passionate” councilor.

While outgoing long-standing candidates Murray Guy, Bill Faulkner and David Stewart were not successful in this year's election – newly elected members were today celebrating.

John Robson

John Robson has already started work after being notified of his vacancy as a councilor at large.

'My view is I think we need to hit the ground running. Once I got the result yesterday, last night I was starting work. There's a lot to do.”

With his new position John says his 'money back guarantee” offer remains genuine.

'One of the things I will be sorting out come Monday is setting up some form of trust for the councilor salaries to be put into for the next three years.

'I'm putting together a wish list. One of the first things on the list I would like to see is us put a stake in the ground around the debt issue and around rates rises. I think we've had a clear message from the community that they've had enough.”

John's campaign to be mayor was unsuccessful but says returning mayor Stuart Crosby would have been his 'second choice”.

'If I didn't have the job – I'm more comfortable that he's got it than anyone else.”

Steve Morris

Newly elected councilor Steve Morris says he was not expecting to be elected.

He was at the playground in Te Puke with his children when he got the call.

'I was not confident at all. It still hasn't sunk in yet.

'I was just trying to get the internal fortitude to prepare myself to ring up David Stewart and Wayne Moultrie and congratulate them.”

And within minutes of the result – Steve got an 'extremely gracious” message from outgoing deputy mayor David Stewart which he is grateful for.

Steve says he has immediate plans ranging from issues involving the level of mowing in reserves to naming of road issues.

Firstly, he plans to put in place an online record of councilors voting. Secondly, he is pushing for a web cam to record during council meetings.

'I think that would raise the bar so far as the debate and the behaviour in the chamber and then there's the possibility that the public can be watching.”

As a representative for Mount and Papamoa areas - third on Steve's list is to continue his campaign in implementing marked tsunami evacuation routes. He plans to have this in full effect by the middle of 2014. And if it doesn't look like that will happen he has a few tricks up his sleeves to make sure it does.

'As soon as my feet are under the table I'm ready to go immediately. I'm not in there to have training wheels for three years – I'm ready to make a change immediately.”

Clayton Mitchell

It is also 'still sinking in” for newly elected member Clayton Mitchell.

Clayton was at home when he got the call and says now he has been selected it's 'exciting” and a 'bit surreal”.

Admitting he has a lot to learn – Clayton has plans to make the city a 'little bit more fun”.

'My frustration has been that this city needs to be more fun. We've got some pending issues that need to be resolved in regards to our financial situation. But that can be resolved with economic growth and I think if we've got a plan of putting that into place then that's great.

'But let's connect our city, and make everything that we do a little bit more fun.”

Clayton wants council to start connecting with the public and he says the way to do this is by holding council meetings in the public domain.

He also wants to see more council support being put into the tourism sector.

'We're a resort town. People come here for our beautiful beaches and our gorgeous harbour and I think tourism is something that we need to do better and I think Tourism Bay of Plenty they do a fantastic job but I think they need to be better supported by council.”

Matt Cowley

Despite being an 'overwhelming 24 hours” newly elected councilor Matt Cowley is excited to be representing a younger voice in council.

He says there is a 'genuine excitement” among newly elected council members.

'I think there is a genuine excitement of what's lying ahead. We recognise that we've got quite complimentary skills.

'We want the city to be known as a great place to host events.”

Being new to the team Matt plans to build relationships within the newly selected team. He says there have been a lot of backgrounds lost with some 'historical” councillors now outgoing.

But with Stuart Crosby officially assuming office on October 9, 2004 and being re-elected as mayor and serving two terms, Matt says Stuart will be able to keep the 'continuity”.

Calls to Murray Guy, Gail McIntosh and David Stewart were unsuccessful.

Progress results for council and wards are below:

CROSBY, Stuart Proven Leadership - 10,135 - Mayor

CLOUT, Kelvin Energy and Experience - 9,547

BAKER, Mike For Strong Financial Management - 3,339

ROBSON, John For A City Of Plenty - 3,160

MOORE, Richard Independent - 2,776

LEAMING, Hori A City For All Of Us - 757

INFORMAL

83

BLANK VOTING PAPERS

680

At Large

(4 vacancies)

Votes Received

MCINTOSH, Gail For Strong Financial Management 14,433

COWLEY, Matt A Younger Voice 12,605

ROBSON, John With a Money Back Guarantee 9,667

CURACH, Rick Prudent, honest representation 9,665

CHRISTIANSEN, Tony Independent 9,000

BALDOCK, Larry More Democracy Less Bureaucracy 8,846

BAKER, Mike For Strong Financial Management 8,816

GUY, Murray Community First 8,767

FAULKNER, Bill For Ratepayers 8,609

WILSON, Clare The Choice is Clare 8,311

MORRIS, Michael Animals and Environment 2,486

PRINGLE, Jim Independent 2,271

MILLIN, Kevin Independent 1,808

INFORMAL

209

BLANK VOTING PAPERS

658

Mount Maunganui-Papamoa Ward

(2 vacancies)

Votes Received

MITCHELL, Clayton Putting the Mount and Papamoa First - 4,637

MORRIS, Steve Standing up for the Mount and Papamoa - 4,620

STEWART, David Proven Leadership for Mount - Papamoa - 3,609

MOORE, Richard Independent- 2,949

MOULTRIE, Wayne Independent - 2,946

INFORMAL

26

BLANK VOTING PAPERS

276

Otumoetai-Pyes Pa Ward

(2 vacancies)

Votes Received

STEWART, Catherine Common Sense Approach - 5,184

EDLIN, Bev For Strong Financial Management - 4,633

KLUIT, Richard Independent - 4,563

HENDERSON, Dale Putting the Community Back Into Council - 3,026

HARAWIRA, Fleur Putting Families First - 1,258

SHARMA, Ramesh Independent - 921

INFORMAL

14

BLANK VOTING PAPERS

573

Te Papa-Welcome Bay Ward

(2 vacancies)

Votes Received

CLOUT, Kelvin Energy and Experience - 4,886

GRAINGER, Bill Independent - 3,166

MOLLOY, Terry One BOP / Tauranga First - 2,422

BAILEY, Sam Sam Wants You TO STOP DEBT - 2,259

ARNOLD, Jeanette - 1,766

WALKER, Delwyn Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand - 1,209