Jacquie Grant leads Westland mayoral race by 64 votes

Saturday 11 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 6 reports · updated Sun 12 Oct 2025, 4:30pm

In this story Helen Lash, Grey District Council, Jacquie Grant

Hokitika businesswoman Jacquie Grant holds a 64-vote lead over incumbent Helen Lash in the Westland mayoral election. If the result holds, the 82-year-old would become New Zealand's oldest and second transgender mayor.

How they headlined it

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Sat 7:30pmSun 2:48pm4:30pm

1. The PressSat 11 Oct 2025, 7:30pm

   Contender for ‘oldest tranny’ mayor in the world takes 64-vote lead (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesSun 12 Oct 2025, 10:05am

   Grant could become oldest mayor in tight race (opens in new tab)

   • Grant could be oldest mayor in tight race (opens in new tab) Sun 12 Oct 2025, 10:05am
3. RNZSun 12 Oct 2025, 2:48pm

   Transgender businesswoman Jacquie Church says Westland voters want mayor with 'balls' to cut rates (opens in new tab)

4. Stuff via RNZSun 12 Oct 2025, 3:16pm

   ‘Age is just a number’: She’s 82, runs a sock shop — and might be NZ’s next history-making mayor (opens in new tab)

5. 1News via RNZSun 12 Oct 2025, 4:30pm

   Westland District could get NZ's oldest and second transgender mayor (opens in new tab)