The local government elections results are now in, with new mayors and councilors elected across New Zealand.
That includes Wayne Brown in Auckland, Tory Whanau in Wellington, Phil Mauger in Christchurch and Noddy Clark in Invercargill.
KEY RESULTS: Results are uploaded to individual councils' websites. Electionz, which administers a large number of the local elections, has a results page here for many authorities.
- Auckland: Wayne Brown elected Mayor, Efeso Collins concedes
- Hamilton: Paula Southgate is re-elected
- Rotorua: Former National candidate Tania Tapsell wins
- Wellington: Tory Whanau wins mayoralty
- Nelson: Nick Smith is Nelson's new Mayor
- Christchurch: Phil Mauger leads, David Meates about 3800 votes behind
- Dunedin: Aaron Hawkins isn't re-elected, Jules Radich is the new Mayor
- Invercargill: Nobby Clark receives the most votes, Sir Tim Shadbolt ousted
Newshub's live updates have ended.
5:30pm - With 'progress results' from all the main centres now in, we are going to end these live updates. Preliminary results are expected over the coming days.
Thank you for following along on what's been an exciting afternoon.
5:10pm - Looking at some more district councils we haven't yet covered, Anne Munro has been elected Mayor in Mackenzie. Munro received 1333 votes to Robin McCarthy's 281.
Tania Gibson will be Mayor of the Grey District Council with 4167 votes to Richard Osmaston's 352.
Jamie Cleine has taken out the Buller mayoralty with 2089 votes to Patrick O'Dea's 1205.
5pm - Phil Mauger has won the Christchurch mayoral race and is on track to be joined by seven new councillors and nine returning councillors.
Mauger, a former councillor and construction company owner, has a narrow majority, leading rival former district health board chief executive David Meates by less than 4000 votes.
4:45pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has released a statement:
"Congratulations to everyone elected to local government today and a special congratulations to the new mayors in our major centres," Jacinda Ardern said.
"The Government works closely with local government, and as we move forward with our economic recovery we'll keep doing that, especially as we both face the long-term challenges of needing to grow our housing stock, keep investing in transport, public transport and our ageing water infrastructure. And as the challenges of climate change and the severe weather events it brings continue, we need to join forces to reduce its impact, prepare and recover.
"I'm also keen to work with local government on how we make voting more accessible. Greater participation in elections is good for democracy so we need to work to increase turnout.
"I look forward to catching up with the new local government leadership over the coming weeks and months."
4:40pm - Hamilton has re-elected Paula Southgate as Mayor on STV voting. She received 13,693 votes to Geoff Taylor's 12,395.
4:35pm - In Kaikoura, Craig Mackle has been elected Mayor with 1153 votes to Kevin Heays' 438.
There's a tight race in Matamata-Piako. On the 'progress results' - about 90 percent of the vote - Adrienne Wilcock has the lead with 2950 votes. Stu Husband follows with 2907 votes.
4:20pm - Neil Holdom has been elected New Plymouth District Mayor with 9880 votes to Dinnie Moeahu's 3743 and Murray Chong's 3733.
Tim King is Tasman's Mayor. He's received 10,842 votes, compared with Mike Harvey's 2526 and Maxwell Clarke's 2378.
4:15pm - "We did it."
Those are the words of an emotional Tory Whanau who has claimed victory in Wellington's mayoral race.
Whanau will be the capital's next mayor following a mayoral race against two high-profile candidates, Labour MP Paul Eagle and outgoing mayor Andy Foster.
She thanked Wellingtonians for "making history" - electing the capital's first-ever indigenous woman.
4:10pm - In Whakatāne, "the game has changed", according to a council press release. Victor Luca has been elected Mayor based on 'progress results'.
Porirua has elected Anita Baker as Mayor with 8679 votes compared to Tapu Elia's 1427.
4:05pm - The National Party has released a statement on the local election results:
National Leader Christopher Luxon is congratulating the mayoral and council candidates who have been successful in the local body elections today.
"I would like to congratulate all our new and re-elected mayors and councillors and I look forward to meeting as many of them as possible in the coming months," Mr Luxon says.
"National will work with local government to build more liveable cities and regions and support them to tackle issues like infrastructure, housing and water.
"I want to say a big thank you to everyone who put themselves forward as a candidate. With Labour tearing out the heart of local government with its Three Waters reforms, the role of local democracy has never been more important.
"National will repeal Labour's Three Waters reforms and ensure water assets remain in local ownership."
4pm - In Whanganui, Andrew Tripe has taken the mayoralty with 6901 votes to Hamish McDouall's 4981.
In Waitomo, John Robertson is sneaking ahead with 1146 votes to Andy Connors' 989. This is based on 90 percent of ordinary votes having been counted.
3:55pm - The Wellington Mayoralty progress results have been released. They show Andy Foster in second place to Tory Whanau, with the other high-profile candidate, Rongotai MP Paul Eagle, in fourth behind Ray Chung.
3:45pm - Andy Foster, who has just failed to be re-elected as Wellington's Mayor, has released a lengthy statement.
"I congratulate Tory on being elected as the new mayor of Wellington. I also congratulate the newly elected and re-elected councillors. I wish them all the very best for the next three years. There is a huge amount of work to be done for our amazing city, building on what we have already delivered and decided. Go well all of you.
"The election result means that after three decades I am bowing out of Council.
"I have loved my time on Council, as a long term councillor and over the last three years having the honour of being the Mayor of this great city. Every day has been about learning, about service and about making a positive difference. I have met so many wonderful people, made so many friendships, and these I will always treasure. Over that time I have worked with five other Mayors, five CEOs, 65 other councillors, and a huge number of awesome members of staff.
"I thank all those who have provided friendship, support, guidance and knowledge over the years. I couldn’t have done it without you."
He goes on to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities he dealt with on the council and as Mayor.
3:40pm - Susan O'Regan has beaten incumbent Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest.
The 'progress results' show O'Regan received 5541 votes to Mylchreest's 4092.
3:35pm - Gary Caffell has been elected Mayor of Masterton. With 4590 votes, Caffell beat Craig Bowyer (1101 votes) and a number of other candidates, including former National MP Jo Hayes (722 votes).
3:30pm - Wayne Brown has claimed victory in the Auckland mayoralty race and says he is privileged and humbled to be the city's new mayor.
Brown said he had a mandate for change, he thanked Aucklanders for giving that to him, and said he looked forward to making those changes that they expect.
3:15pm - The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce has this to say about the new Christchurch Mayor:
The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce welcomes Phil Mauger on his election as Mayor of Christchurch City Council.
"Phil is an experienced businessman and has committed to improving economic outcomes, removing barriers to doing business, and unlocking the opportunities that Christchurch has to offer," says Leeann Watson, Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.
"Phil is stepping into a role that is not without its’ challenges and we look forward to working closely together to advance the interests of the business community throughout the next three years.
"As we welcome a new Mayor, The Chamber would like to acknowledge Lianne Dalziel for her unwavering commitment to Christchurch throughout the previous nine years and her stewardship during what was an immensely challenging period for all of those in our city.
"We know the current environment continues to provide new challenges and that requires new perspectives, fresh thinking and new ways of working."
3:10pm - Nadine Taylor has been elected Mayor of Marlborough.
3pm - Tory Whanau says she has been elected Wellington's Mayor.
"The preliminary results are in, and I am incredibly humbled to confirm that I will be Wellington’s next mayor," says Tory Whanau.
"Everyday I will do what I can to make this the best city it can possibly be. A city with thriving communities that we can get around using reliable, low carbon public transport options, and where more of us have safe, affordable places to live."
"I would like to acknowledge and thank the current mayor, Andy Foster, for his dedication and service to this city."
"When we started this campaign, I was an unknown. But thanks to an awesome grassroots campaign, positivity, a progressive policy platform, and most importantly the people of Wellington, we have come out of nowhere to beat two high profile politicians. This shows people are ready for change."
"Wellingtonians have used their voices to show they are ready for a new leader that can take our city forward and help our people navigate the difficult challenges we must overcome to have a thriving and climate resilient city."
"I am looking forward to working with everyone who has been given the privilege of representing our communities. Wellingtonians expect us to rebuild from the last three years and work together for the good of our city. I look forward to hearing everyone’s ideas about how we deliver the change people deserve."
"My promise to Wellington is this: as your mayor, I will listen. I believe we can build trust in our system and bring our city on board. Together, Wellington will work towards a climate resilient city that looks after its community."
"Ngā mihi maioha Te Whanganui-a-Tara!"
2:55pm - Former National Party MP Nick Smith has been elected Mayor of Nelson.
2:50pm - Aaron Hawkins hasn't been returned as Mayor. He's just tweeted:
"Alas it wasn’t to be.Thanks everyone for their support over my last nine years at the Dunedin City Council, and through this campaign. I’m proud of what we achieved in my 3 years as Mayor, even if we had plenty more work to do.To Cr Radich and his council all the very best."
2:40pm - Sir Tim Shadbolt, who has been ousted as Invercargill's Mayor, has released a statement to Newshub:
"I wish the new Council all the best. There are some big decisions ahead and they carry a heavy weight of responsibility and expectation.
"I feel surprised not to be re elected as a Councillor and it will take some time to digest that I will not be part of the decision making process as the City progresses. I note that the results have not brought about the radical change that was expected with 8 sitting Councillors re elected. It seems that the [sic] I have personally borne the brunt of the last 3 years of angst on Council.
"I will continue to promote the City and I thank all my supporters over the last 27 years. I have been honored to serve the City."
2:35pm - Christchurch looks to have elected Phil Mauger as its new Mayor. Progress results - which are based on about 90 percent of returned votes being counted - show he has received 50,086 votes to his nearest rival David Meates' 46,315.
2:30pm - Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick has congratulated new Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. She says she hopes he strives for a "city that works for all of us".
2:25pm - Kirsten Wise has been re-elected Mayor of Napier.
2:20pm - Glyn Lewers will be the Mayor of Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Lewers received 3,678 votes ahead of Jon Mitchell (3,105 votes), Olivia Wensley (2,110 votes), Al Angus (678 votes), Neeta Shetty (432 votes), and Daniel Shand (166 votes).
2:15pm - We've just received these figures from the Auckland Council:
- Wayne Brown 144,619
- Efeso Collins 89,811
- Craig Lord 18,293
Statement from Auckland Council:
Wayne Brown is leading Auckland’s mayoralty race with 144,619 votes, ahead of Efeso Collins by 54,808 votes. This progress result reflects approximately 85 to 90 per cent of votes counted after voting closed at midday today.
There is more counting to be done, as votes received this morning before the voting deadline and, special votes, are yet to be counted.
Outgoing Mayor Phil Goff gives his best to candidates, "Congratulations to the provisionally-elected Mayor and provisionally-elected members. I wish you all the very best in stewarding Auckland’s next chapter. There is no greater privilege than representing Auckland and your community and it has been a pleasure serving the city for the past six years."
2:10pm - In Taupo, David Trewavas has been returned for a fourth term.
"It's an honour to be selected to once again represent our beautiful district," he said. "I'm looking forward to carrying on all the great work that we have underway and to keep working to make this a fantastic place to live for all our community."
He received 5215 votes to Christine Rankin's 3782 and Sean Wakelin's 926.
2:05pm - In Timaru, Nigel Bowen has received the most support on progress results - 10,803 votes - to Stu Piddington's 4019.
Tania Tapsell, the former Rotorua councillor and National Party candidate for East Coast, will be Rotorua's new Mayor.
2pm - Efeso Collins has conceded to Wayne Brown:
1:55pm - We've just received this statement from Brown's team:
Auckland voters have sent the clearest possible message to Auckland Council, and central government in Wellington, and I promise you that you’ve been heard," incoming Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said today.
"At more than 300 campaign events over the last six months, Aucklanders have made clear to me and fellow candidate Efeso Collins that you love our city, but that you know much of it is broken," Mr Brown said.
"It is now up to me, the new governing body and the local boards to act on our mandate, fix what is broken and deliver the change you demand."
Mr Brown said the number one issue was transport, closely followed by crime, unfinished projects and endless red cones, rising costs and council waste.
"There is a mandate for change and my job as Mayor is to lead it."
Mr Brown said that together, he, councillors, local board members, council officers and Mr Collins had all the knowledge, skills and experience needed to fix Auckland.
"Under my leadership, Auckland will make clear what our region wants and needs without any so-called ‘help’ setting our priorities from central-government politicians and bureaucrats in Wellington."
"Let me be very clear: Wellington’s job is to listen to what Aucklanders say are our priorities, and to fund them – not impose ideological schemes like the $30 billion airport tram, untrammelled housing intensification and Three Waters on a city that doesn’t want them."
Mr Brown thanked his family, campaign team and supporters for all their work and encouragement over the last six months.
"We built a formidable team and now we will widen that team to include everyone who has been elected today, all those Auckland Council officers who work hard and deliver real services to the people of the region, and Efeso, who I have come to regard as a friend and would like to work with over the three years ahead."
Mr Brown said his priority was reform of Council-Controlled Organisations and he would have some initial comments to make on that topic tomorrow.
He said he would be taking most of tomorrow off, before receiving a full economic and financial briefing on Monday morning from senior Council officers.
1:50pm - Wayne Brown has just announced to supporters that he's Auckland's new Mayor. We're awaiting official confirmation. He said he won by upwards of 50,000 votes.
Brown said he will "fix what is broken and deliver change that voters demand to make Auckland a better city".
1:45pm - Neil Brown has been re-elected Ashburton Mayor. He has just posted this on Facebook:
1:35pm - Veteran politician Sir Tim Shadbolt appears to have failed to be re-elected as Invercargill's Mayor. Progress results show Nobby Clark has the most support - 6537 votes - to Marcus Lush's 3785. Shadbolt received 847 votes.
1:20pm - On early results, Bernie Wanden looks to have been re-elected Horowhenua Mayor.
1:15pm - Campbell Barry, who looks to have been re-elected as the Hutt City Council Mayor, has made this statement on Facebook:
1:10pm - We have our first set of progress results. Hutt City Council says 90 percent of returned votes have been counted. These don't include some special votes and other votes cast late on Friday and on Saturday.
Incumbent Mayor Campbell Barry has received the most votes so far - 12,537 - followed by Tony Stallinger on 11,272 and Falgoon Patel on 937.
1pm - While turnout is expected to once again be very low, we're aware of large lines of people queuing up on Saturday to hand deliver their votes.
As of Friday, 29.4 percent of eligible people had voted in Auckland, which compares to 31.5 percent at that point in the 2019 election and 35.2 percent in the 2016 election.
In Wellington, 34.99 percent of people had voted by the end of Friday, up from 31.91 percent at that point in 2019, but down from 40.05 percent in 2016.
In Christchurch, 39.19 percent had voted by Friday evening, compared to 37.62 percent in 2019 and 36.57 in 2016.
12:50pm - The results we get on Saturday won't be the 'final results'. Instead, they're called 'progress results'. These will mostly include votes delivered up until Friday evening. Others votes, including those handed in on Saturday and special votes, won't be included in the 'progress results'.
Preliminary results will include all ordinary votes, but not special votes. Some councils might announce these on Saturday night, but others might not until Sunday or Monday.
The final results aren't expected until later next week once all ordinary and special votes have been counted.
12:30pm - Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the 2022 local election results.
Progress results from many councils are expected to start coming around 2pm, while some - such as from Auckland and Wellington - won't start arriving until later in the afternoon.
