Richard McGrath has been elected as a Napier City councillor following a byelection.
The Blood Service nurse beat eight other candidates for an "at-large" (city-wide) seat on the 13-member council, which includes a mix of at-large and ward-based representatives.
According to preliminary results of the election, Mr McGrath won 3385 votes, beating second-placed candidate Rob Duckworth who received 2527 votes.
The byelection was triggered by the resignation of former councillor Rob Lutter who resigned in May to take up a job in Auckland.
Just under 39 per cent of 42,049 eligible voters took part in the byelection, with voting closing at noon today.
Napier City Council 2014 By-election - Council at Large
PRELIMINARY RESULTThe preliminary result for the Napier City Council by-election held on Tuesday 19 August is as follows;
Council at Large (1 vacancy) Votes Received
MCGRATH, Richard 3,385
DUCKWORTH, Rob Independent 2,527
DALLIMORE, Larry Independent 2,431
GEORGE, David 1,948
SLATER, Kim Independent 1,924
TRIM, David 1,590
OTTO, Emily 1,539
MASON, Andy Representing Napier's Youth 464
KUZMICH, Joan 440
INFORMAL 45
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 29
The voter return was 38.81%, being 16,322 voting papers, excluding special votes.