Mayor of Napier facts for kids

The mayor of Napier is the main leader of the city government in Napier, New Zealand. The mayor works with the Napier City Council to make decisions for the city. Napier is one of New Zealand's largest cities. The first mayor was chosen in 1875. The current mayor is Kirsten Wise, who started her role in 2019.

Quick facts for kids Mayor of Napier
Coat of arms of Napier
Incumbent Kirsten Wise since 2019
Style	His/Her Worship
Term length	Three years, renewable
Inaugural holder	Robert Stuart
Formation	1875
Deputy	Annette Brosnan
Website	Official website: https://www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/mayor-and-councillors/

History of Napier's Mayors

How Napier Became a City

The Māori people sold a piece of land called Ahuriri in 1851. A few years later, in 1853, Donald McLean bought the area that would become Napier. Alfred Domett, who later became a Prime Minister of New Zealand, was put in charge of the land. He was also a magistrate, which is like a judge, in the village of Ahuriri.

It was decided to build a planned town here. Streets and avenues were carefully designed. The new town was named Napier, after Sir Charles Napier.

Napier's Early Government

At first, the Napier area was part of the Wellington Province. A province is like a large region with its own government. In 1858, the Hawke's Bay Province was created, and Napier became its capital city.

John Davies Ormond, who was the leader (called a Superintendent) of the province, worked to make Napier self-governing. This meant the town could manage its own affairs. In 1874, Napier was officially named a borough. A borough is a town that has its own local government.

The First Mayor of Napier

The very first election for the Napier borough council happened on January 18, 1875. Nine councillors were chosen from 22 people who wanted the job. These councillors then picked Robert Stuart from their group to be Napier's first mayor. Robert Stuart was mayor until December 1878.

After Stuart, John Vautier became mayor from 1878 to 1882. He was followed by Dr William Isaac Spencer, who served from 1882 to 1885.

Long-Serving Mayors

George Swan became mayor in December 1885. He held the position for a long time, until April 1901. At that point, he had been mayor for the longest continuous period in New Zealand's history.

Later, Vigor Brown was elected mayor for the first time in 1907. He served for ten years until 1917. He was mayor two more times, from 1919 to 1921 and again from 1927 to 1933.

The 1931 Earthquake and Its Impact

The terrible 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake happened during Vigor Brown's last time as mayor. Because of the earthquake, the city's government had to change temporarily. A special committee and then a two-person Government Commission helped manage things.

When the commission's term ended in May 1933, the city council took over again. The next mayoral election was very important. Charles Ormond Morse, who had led the Earthquake Relief Committee, ran against the current mayor, Vigor Brown. Morse won the election with many more votes.

Morse was mayor until 1938. He was followed by Bill Hercock, who served for twelve years (1938–1950).

Peter Tait was mayor from 1956 to 1974. He was even knighted (given a special honor) after he finished his time as mayor.

More recently, Barbara Arnot was elected mayor in 2001. Bill Dalton took over from her in 2013. The current mayor, Kirsten Wise, began her term in 2019.

Napier Mayors Who Were Also Members of Parliament

Some mayors of Napier have also served as Members of Parliament (MPs). MPs are elected to represent their area in the national government, called the House of Representatives. All four of these mayors represented the Napier electorate:

• George Swan (1890–1893)
• Samuel Carnell (1893–1896)
• Vigor Brown (1908–1922)
• Peter Tait (1951)

List of Mayors of Napier

Here is a list of all the people who have served as mayor of Napier:

	Name	Image	Term	Notes
1	Robert Stuart		1875–1878	First mayor of Napier
2	John Vautier		1878–1882
3	Dr William Isaac Spencer		1882–1885
4	George Swan		1885–1901	Longest continuous term at the time
5	John C. McVay		1901–1902
6	Frederic Williams		1902–1904
7	Samuel Carnell		1904–1907
8	Vigor Brown		1907–1917	First period as mayor
9	Henry Hill		1917–1919
(8)	Vigor Brown		1919–1921	Second period as mayor
10	John Blight Andrew		1921–1927
(8)	Vigor Brown		1927–1933	Third period as mayor
11	Charles Ormond Morse		1933–1938	Mayor during the earthquake recovery
12	Bill Hercock		1938–1950	Served for twelve years
13	Ron Spriggs		1950–1956
14	Sir Peter Tait		1956–1974	Knighted after his term
15	Clyde Jeffery		1974–1983
16	Dave Prebensen		1983–1989
17	Alan Dick		1989–2001
18	Barbara Arnott		2001–2013
19	Bill Dalton		2013–2019
20	Kirsten Wise		2019–present	Current mayor of Napier

List of Deputy Mayors of Napier

The deputy mayor helps the mayor and steps in when the mayor is not available.