Dunedin, NZ, June 07, 2004
Ranbir Chawla
Sukhi Turner, has announced today that she will not seek re-election
when her current term ends in October later this year, bringing to an
end 12 years of service as councillor and mayor. Mayor Sukhi was elected
as a councillor in 1992. She was elected Mayor in 1995 and again in
1998 and 2001.
Sukhi Turner is married to Glenn Turner, illustrious captain and former
New Zealand opening batsman..The couple is well, successful and,
seemingly, happy in a society where divorces are sadly as common as
the proverbial politicians broken promise.
According to the Otago Daily News, 52-year-old Sukhi Turner announced
last week that she would not be seeking re-election as mayor after nine
years of back-to-back appointments.
I think you can be too greedy, but not only that, Ive
done my bit. Its time for me to change and I really do believe
the city could do with a change as well. With change comes more opportunities,
a bit of excitement, she says.
Sukhis progression from a naïve émigré, dedicated
to the Green Movement, to a seasoned politico makes impressive reading
first woman mayor of Dunedin, first non-European mayor and first
to beat an incumbent mayor.
Many sources credit her leadership and vision with re-igniting the
economy in the once-sleepy city, which has seen both tourism and property
prices jump enormously in recent years.
Of her personal life Sukhi, a degree holder in history and political
science, mother of two adult children (now living in Wellington) and
lover of Indian cooking, says: The mayoralty has obviously
given me less time with my family and husband. We have had to make meeting
times to discuss important issues, but I think our relationship is actually
stronger.
Glenn was my campaign manager for the last two times
he has refused to do it for a third time (laughs). No, we had already
made a pact not to stand for a fourth term.
If only our own politicians back home thought along similar lines.
And, instead of expending valuable time and energy in rabble rousing
over inconsequential issues such as country of birth, concentrated on
serving their real masters the public.
Mayor Turner added, I can assure everyone that I will continue
performing my duties to the best of my ability until the end of this
term. Keeping on track our projects, developments and the vital services
that are delivered to our citizens on a daily basis.