Hastings Heretaunga ward candidate Ann Redstone says that despite having the numbers at this point to gain a seat on council, with only a two-vote advantage ahead of fellow candidate Jason Whaitiri it was still anyone's game.

Although the gap was a bit wider on Saturday, by Sunday afternoon it had become more of a nail-biter as she awaited the final results to come out on Thursday.

"I am very hopeful nothing will change but am also aware that with a two-vote advantage things could easily swing the other way.

"I certainly hope I get an opportunity to represent the 2063 people who have voted for me and I really look forward to being their voice at the council table."

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She would, however, be spending the week on tenterhooks, she said.

For Mr Whaitiri, it was also something of a waiting game to see if he could nudge his way to the lead.

"Ann and I have a very good relationship - obviously one of us is going to get in but for now I am waiting just as she is to see how it pans out."

Massey University associate professor and local government expert Christine Cheyne said this kind of situation was not unheard of, but was certainly not common.

"This is just the nature of the vote counting system, and having to wait for the special votes."