A Northland paper accidentally published a concession advert from Whāngarei's victorious Mayor.
The front page of the Northern Advocate on Monday had a story about Sheryl Mai's success in winning the mayoralty.
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While the second page ran a concession advert of Mai thanking Whāngarei for the past six years of office and wishing her defeated opponent Tony Savage well.
"Thank you Whangarei," reads the bold print.
"It has been an honour to have served this district for the past six years. Together we have achieved so much
"I wish the new Mayor Tony Savage and his new Council all the very best for the next three years, Arohanui, Sheryl."
Mai won the mayoralty with a clear majority she had 12,612 votes while her opposition Tony Savage has just 8,997.
Mai isn't cut up about the error, posting on Facebook that she feels for the paper.
"They are mortified and apologetic. I feel for them - as far as mistakes go, that's up there!"
"It was an honest mistake and I feel no malice," she continued.
"You gotta laugh!"
An NZME spokesperson told Newshub the mistake was "human error".
"It's standard practice when dealing with last minute deadlines like those in local body elections, to have prepared options for advertisements covering different outcomes."
"This was the case in the situation you refer to. Unfortunately due to human error the incorrect version was printed in today's paper."
They said the paper has apologised to both Mai and Savage, and the correct advertisement will be printed in Tuesday's edition.
Newshub.
