Ben Bell
Benjamin Ryan Bell (born 11 May 1999) is a New Zealand politician who is the mayor of the town of Gore in the South Island. In October 2022, Bell was elected as Gore's youngest mayor at the age of 23 years, defeating the incumbent Tracy Hicks. In mid November, the Gore District Council rejected Bell's request to hire a personal executive assistant named Shanna Crosbie. Bell subsequently went on leave after his fellow councillors submitted a requisition requesting the removal of deputy mayor Stewart MacDonell.
Ben Bell | |
|---|---|
| 5th Mayor of Gore District | |
| Assumed office 9 November 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Tracy Hicks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Ryan Bell 11 May 1999 |
| Occupation | Business entrepreneur |
In May 2023, Bell's opponents abandoned an attempted vote of no confidence in his mayoral leadership. Following a mediation process involving an external facilitator, Bell and his fellow councillors mended their working relationships with the Gore District Council CEO Stephen Parry in August 2023.