An emotional Mike Pettit took a tearful moment to gather his thoughts before announcing his win to supporters this afternoon.
Celebrating with the family, from left, Anamieke Pettit, Phoebe Pettit, Natalia Pettit, Macie Pettit, Amy Pettit, Hugo Pettit, Mike and Nic Pettit with baby Rumi Pettit, their first grandchild. Photo: Viv Posselt
Standing high on a box, his back to the open doors of the Gillies St venue he used to host his election party, Pettit wiped his eyes, fist-pumped the air and expressed his deep gratitude to “all you amazing people I have met on this journey”.
“Yeah … wow, sh .. !” he exclaimed. “It seems I have a new job!”
“I want to give a huge thanks to all those folks who have got behind me from the get-go … everyone who has helped get me to this point.”
The call had come from Waipā chief executive Steph O’Sullivan just minutes earlier but an overwhelmed Pettit took a few moments for himself to let the news sink in.
“It’s all the little bits that have pushed me over the line, and I’m very grateful.”
He spoke of being jolted into action to stand for the top slot after being asked some time ago why he hadn’t already put his hand up for the mayoralty.
Speaking to The News a few minutes after addressing his supporters, Pettit praised the other two mayoral candidates, Susan O’Regan and Clare St Pierre, for having run good campaigns.
He said once he had made his mind up to stand, there were no moments of doubt around what he was doing and why.
Mike Pettit flanked by former Waipa mayor Jim Mylcheest and Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale. Photo: Viv Posselt
“When you commit to something, you commit, but I wasn’t really focusing on this end point, to be honest. I was just focused on getting the messaging out there and getting the job done.
“But yeah, I guess there were a few nerves around today,” he grinned. “You could say there was a long, very pregnant pause when I was first told.”
He admits that leaving the school environment after being a principal for 31 years will be something of a sea-change, but knows Cambridge Primary School is in good hands with wife Nic Pettit currently vice-principal.
Working with a new council team is something he is looking forward to.
“Even with a few changes it is going to be a new team, and I’m ready for that. What won’t be changing is that I can’t sit still for long … I’ll be out and about talking to people whenever I can.”
See: Local elections – preliminary results
Roger Gordon, left, with new mayor Mike Pettit. Photo: Viv Posselt
