This was compared to the 2013 election which sat at 26.5 per cent at the same point, and 28.3 per cent in 2010.
Tauranga City Council's preliminary voter turnout fell by 1.8 per cent, with 36 per cent turnout this election.
In 2013 37.8 per cent of people voted, and 43.8 per cent in 2010.
As at October 6, Tauranga City Council local body election returns sat at just 33.02 per cent, with just 29,928 people returning their votes by that day.
This is compared with 32.03 per cent in 2013, 34.26 per cent in 2010 and 38.21 per cent in 2007 at the same point.
Tauranga City had the fifth highest voter return of the 10 metro councils.
Nelson City had the highest return with 48 per cent.
For more information on voting returns across the country, go to: www.lgnz.co.nz/vote2016/preliminary-voter-turnout-2016/