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1953 Christchurch mayoral election

← 1950 31 October 1953 1956 →
Turnout	40,930 (48.80%)
Candidate Robert Macfarlane James Hay Party Labour Citizens' Popular vote 21,316 19,419 Percentage 52.07 47.44
Mayor before election Robert Macfarlane Elected mayor Robert Macfarlane

The 1953 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1953, election were held for the Mayor of Christchurch plus other local government positions. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Campaign

Sitting mayor Robert Macfarlane was re-elected with the largest majority he had won so far against city councillor James Hay. The Labour Party lost two seats on the Council but retained their majority, winning ten seats to the nine won by the Citizens' Association.

A major talking point in the lead up to the election was the potential of a clash with the 1953 Royal Tour. There were proposals to postpone local elections until early 1954 over fears of reduced turnout due to a conflicted schedule. The proposals were considered by the Minister of Internal Affairs William Bodkin, who ultimately decided against it.

Mayoralty results

The following table gives the election results:

Council results

References

1. "Move to Postpone Next Municipal Elections". The Evening Post. 18 October 1952.
2. "Local Elections Date Fixed". The Evening Post. 28 January 1953.
3. "Election of Mayor". The Press. Vol. LXXXIX, no. 27199. 17 November 1953. p. 13.
4. "Christchurch City Council". The Press. Vol. LXXXIX, no. 27199. 17 November 1953. p. 13.

• Mayoral elections in Christchurch
• 1953 elections in New Zealand
• Politics of Christchurch
• November 1953 in New Zealand
• 1950s in Christchurch