Former West Coast Regional Council chairman Allan Birchfield, a councillor for seven terms, was deposed yesterday just months after being internally elected for the second time to the council chair. Photo: Greymouth Star / Brendon McMahon
Deposed former chairman of the West Coast Regional Council Allan Birchfield was today "back on the main job" on the goldmine, and is keeping his next move quiet for now.
"I probably won't say anything just at the moment," he said this morning.
"I'm not commenting whether I'm staying or leaving."
Birchfield said in light of the lead-up to yesterday's vote - which removed him as chairman and put councillor Peter Haddock in his place - he was keeping his options open.
"I haven't resigned - yet."
The way his departure unfolded was something he "fully expected" and he was grateful for a clear vote.
"I knew they had the numbers."
A stoney-faced Allan Birchfield sits at the top table, right, shortly before chairing the meeting yesterday that deposed him. Photo: Greymouth Star/Brendon McMahon
He had been interested to see what side councillors Peter Ewen and Andy Campbell would come down on, aside from his closest ally on the council, fellow goldminer Brett Cummings, who was subsequently elected deputy chairman.
"I knew that Brett would go with me. I probably wanted a different result - I was more concerned to be hung up. It was no surprise to me."
Birchfield said it was his role and right to resume the chair for what turned out to be his final meeting in the chair after four months' leave of absence, despite that being questioned by Haddock on his arrival.
"Peter did question if I wanted to chair or not (but) I was the chairman until I was voted out."
He was unhappy with a Stuff headline that he "stormed out" of the meeting yesterday.
He said it was a split-second decision to leave immediately after the vote as he had to vacate the seat anyway.
"I had to vacate the chair because I was voted out. I thought, well I'm going to leave."
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