Waimarama's Bayden Barber is ecstatic with the announcement he's been successful in his candidacy for Hastings District Council.
"It is a major relief. The best news I've had in the last six weeks."
Mr Barber had recieved the phone call earlier, but was eagerly awaiting the official results to come out.
"The community have raised a number of concerns over the campaign; water being a big one. I am keen to see if we can get solutions on these issues," he said.
Mr Barber and his wife run a strategic business consultancy and he is also the Chair of Health Hawke's Bay. He is also on the governance board of Takitimu Ora, Hawke's Bay's whanau ora collective.
The new councillor was over the moon and was planning to celebrate with family and supporters tonight.
"Shout out to all those who did tick my name and supporters who put in the hard yards and long hours."
He said it could have gone either way.
"I was holding my breath for the phone call and I appreciate there's a lot of dissapointment. To my fellow councillors, I would like to say congratulations for getting to council and commiserations to those who didn't get there."