Gore mayor Ben Bell fires back on tough first term
Photo:
LDR / Otago Daily Times
Gore mayor Ben Bell has labelled a recent account of his tumultuous first term as "bullying".
On Wednesday, a story about the mayor's difficult few years in office
was published by RNZ
and re-used by other outlets.
It covered a widely publicised fallout with the former chief executive, a near vote of no confidence in Bell, and dirty politics.
The story said numerous attempts had been made to interview Bell - including a trip to Gore to meet him - but the mayor pulled out at short notice and stopped responding.
Bell wasn't happy with what he read in the RNZ article.
"I think it's an example of the bullying that I've experienced the whole way through," he said.
"I don't think they've done a positive article on anything that we've done, and to get comments from the former mayor kind of shows their attitude towards us."
Bell also felt it was misreported that he didn't want to speak for the story.
"I've just actually been busy serving my community and schedules didn't line up and they didn't want to talk to me on the phone.
"I think they said I was avoiding them, that's not the case whatsoever."
In response, an RNZ spokesperson said the broadcaster stood by its article which included the perspective of a former mayor and the current deputy mayor of Gore.
"As stated in the article, RNZ made numerous attempts to interview the current mayor Ben Bell, even travelling to Gore to meet with him. We also made clear to Mr Bell that we wanted to give him an opportunity to respond to the comments of others.
"Mr Bell did not take up this opportunity and has not responded to RNZ's subsequent efforts to make contact," the spokesperson added.
Former long-serving mayor Tracy Hicks was a key feature in the piece and took his opportunity to jab at the mayor.
Hicks wondered what Bell had achieved, questioned the mayor's long-term commitment to the area, and said the council would have avoided reputational damage had he been re-elected.
Bell disagreed with Hicks but said he was entitled to his opinion.
The young mayor was seeking re-election and pointed to that decision as an example of his commitment to Gore.
"In terms of my reflection, I think the first year and a half was a struggle. There was a lot of change brought about. A lot of councillors just getting used to me and my style," Bell said - a tamer view than what Hicks made of the first year: "a train wreck".
Bell said progress was being made with the new chief executive onboard and momentum was building.
When elected in October 2022, the then-23-year-old became the youngest mayor in New Zealand history.
He thwarted Hicks' shot at a seventh term by just eight votes.
Hicks told the
Southland Times
last election that he was running for the final time, but since indicated to RNZ he is reconsidering.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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