NRI. Sukhi Turner announced, not seeking re-election as mayor,
first woman mayor of Dunedin, first non-European mayor and first to beat an incumbent mayor.

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 politician’s 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, I’ve done my bit. It’s 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.

Sukhi’s 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.”