1980 Christchurch mayoral election

1980 Christchurch mayoral election
	11 October 1980
Turnout	51,319 (46.13%)
Mayor before election; Hamish Hay;	Elected mayor ; Hamish Hay;

The 1980 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1980, 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.

Background

Incumbent Mayor Hamish Hay was re-elected with a decreased majority, defeating Labour city councillor Mollie Clark. Despite Hay retaining the mayoralty there was a huge swing against the Citizens' Association leaving the composition of the council at fifteen seats to four in favour of the Labour Party.^[1]

Results

The following table gives the election results:

1980 Christchurch mayoral election^[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Citizens	Hamish Hay	27,357	53.30	+0.17
	Labour	Mollie Clark	23,082	44.98
	Economic Euthenics	Tubby Hansen	683	1.33	+0.78
Informal votes			197	0.39	−0.19
Majority			4,275	8.33	−6.71
Turnout			51,319	46.13	+1.18

Ward results

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

	Party/ticket	Councillors
	Labour	15
	Citizens'	4

References

^ ^a ^b "City Council falls to Labour but Mr Hay retains Mayoralty". The Press. 13 October 1980. p. 1.
^ Atkinson, M.W. (16 February 1981). Returning Officer's Report (Report). Christchurch City Council.
^ "Page 33 Advertisements Column 1 - Declaration of Results of Election", The Press, p. 33, 30 October 1980, retrieved 8 June 2025

[Results-1] "City Council falls to Labour but Mr Hay retains Mayoralty". The Press. 13 October 1980. p. 1.

[2] Atkinson, M.W. (16 February 1981). Returning Officer's Report (Report). Christchurch City Council.

[3] "Page 33 Advertisements Column 1 - Declaration of Results of Election", The Press, p. 33, 30 October 1980, retrieved 8 June 2025

[1]

[2]

[3]