Greg Brownless has been elected as the new mayor of Tauranga, according to provisional local government election results.
With 98 per cent of the returned votes counted Greg Brownless has been elected Tauranga Mayor almost 2000 votes ahead of runner-up and deputy mayor Kelvin Clout.
Current Mount Maunganui-Papamoa ward councillors Steve Morris and Leanne Brown have both been re-elected, more than 3000 votes ahead of the other candidates.
Larry Baldock has looks set to take one of the two vacancies in the Otumoetai-Pyes Pa ward with 4265 votes. Catherine Stewart is currently in second place with 4096 votes but that could change. She is only 62 votes ahead of Bev Edlin.
Bill Grainger was the clear winner in the Te Papa-Welcome Bay ward. Terry Molly looks set to take the second spot on 2994 votes - 324 votes ahead of Murray Guy in third.
In the race for the At Large seats Kelvin Clout, Gail Mcintosh and Max Mason look to have secured their positions. Rick Curach is currently ahead for the fourth spot with 10,752 votes but is closely followed by former councillor Tony Christiansen on 10,593.
Talking to the Bay of Plenty Times minutes after hearing the news Mr Brownless said he thought it might be a lot closer.
He felt apprehensive and at the same time very excited, he said.
"There is a lot to do and a lot of issues have come to the fore during the election."
Mr Brownless said, "I thought I had a good chance at least a medal place but I didn't quite know which one."
Mr Brownless replaces Stuart Crosby, who was Tauranga mayor for the past 12 years and did not run for re-election.
This result is based upon the counting of approximately 98% of the returned votes.
The progress result does not include some special votes and votes returned today that are still in transit to the processing centre.
The outcome of these elections may change once all votes have been counted.
The Electoral Officer will be counting remaining ordinary voting papers overnight and tomorrow.
A further set of results will be made available tomorrow Sunday October 9, late afternoon.
Final results, including all special votes, are expected on Thursday October 13.
PROGRESS RESULT
Mayor Votes Received
BROWNLESS, Greg Independent 8,513
CLOUT, Kelvin Energy and Experience 6,562
OWENS, Doug Effectiveness, Efficiency, Growth 3,787
MASON, Max Experienced Positive Leadership 3,665
MORRIS, Steve Together we can build a better city 2,797
GUY, Murray Community Focused Leadership 1,643
BALDOCK, Larry More Democracy Less Bureaucracy 1,516
ROBSON, John Real Change in TCC - Guaranteed 1,359
PURCHES, Graeme Independent 931
PETERSON, Noel James Independent 393
LEAMING, Hori BOP 382
INFORMAL 141
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 516
Mount Maunganui-Papamoa Ward (2 vacancies) Votes Received
MORRIS, Steve Delivering for the Mount and Papamoa 6,933
BROWN, Leanne Looking After Locals 6,752
HARNOR, Bob Independent 3,369
STANLEY, Peter 1,912
INFORMAL 12
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 500
Otumoetai-Pyes Pa Ward (2 vacancies) Votes Received
BALDOCK, Larry More Democracy Less Bureaucracy 4,265
STEWART, Catherine The Voice of Common Sense 4,096
EDLIN, Bev Re-elect for Effective Governance 4,034
WEST, Jo A New Perspective 3,690
NESDALE, Sheldon I Am Listening 3,403
MOORE, Graeme For progress - with prudent financial management 1,666
INFORMAL 35
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 783
Te Papa-Welcome Bay Ward (2 vacancies) Votes Received
GRAINGER, Bill Have your say, For your City 4,016
MOLLOY, Terry The people The place The future 2,994
GUY, Murray Community Focused Leadership 2,670
MISA, Jesse 1,800
BAILEY, Sam Independent 1,496
OXLEY, Brian 1,173
LEAMING, Hori BOP 934
INFORMAL 16
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 582
Council - At Large (4 vacancies) Votes Received
CLOUT, Kelvin Energy and Experience 16,146
MCINTOSH, Gail Re-elect For Sound Financial Management 13,204
MASON, Max Experienced Positive Leadership 12,511
CURACH, Rick PICK RICK - Let's Get Real 10,752
CHRISTIANSEN, Tony Committed to Tauranga 10,593
WASSUNG, Mark 8,582
COWLEY, Matt Smart Thinking Beyond Elections 7,637
ROBSON, John Real Change in TCC - It starts here 6,856
COFFIN, Antoine Independent - Keeping it real 6,581
BROWN, Geoffrey Independent 2,931
ROBB, Hugh E 2,867
OTTAWAY, Grayson 2,341
MILLIN, Kevin Independent 2,194
DAVIDSON, Alan Independent 2,188
PETERSON, Noel James Independent 2,172
INFORMAL 141
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 1,076
The voter return was 36.03%, being 32,657 votes, excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes.