The 1980 Dunedin mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1980, elections were held for the Mayor of Dunedin plus other local government positions including twelve city councillors. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background

Cliff Skeggs Sir Clifford George Skeggs (born 19 March 1931) is a New Zealand businessman from Dunedin, and was Mayor of Dunedin from 1977 to 1989. Early life and family Skeggs was born in Bluff, and was educated at Bluff School and Southland Technical ...

was re-elected Mayor of Dunedin with a record majority. The Labour party did not contest the mayoralty for the first time since 1935. As such the contest was marked by low turnout. Skeggs sole opponent was local historian Peter Entwisle who stood only as part of a campaign against the building of an aluminium smelter at Aramoana. The election also saw longtime Labour Party councillor

Ethel McMillan Ethel Emma McMillan (née Black, 12 May 1904 – 13 August 1987) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. She was a Member of Parliament for Dunedin electorates for 22 years, but despite her political seniority, was not appointed a c ...

defeated in a shock result.

Results

The following table shows the results for the election:

References

{{Reflist Mayoral elections in Dunedin Dunedin Politics of Dunedin 1980s in Dunedin October 1980 events in New Zealand