Kaipara's first elected leaders in more than four years have been named, with experienced businessman Greg Gent to become the district's mayor.
The preliminary result for the 2016 local body elections was announced this morning, with Kaipara's eight councillors to include Libby Jones, Peter Wethey and Jonathan Larsen in the Otamatea Ward; Andrew Wade and Karen Joyce-Paki in Dargaville; Anna Curnow, Victoria De La Varis-Woodcock and Julie Geange in West Coast Central.
The result would be officially confirmed on Thursday.
Mr Gent, of Ruawai, earned nearly four times as many "1" rankings in the single transferrable vote system as nearest rival and Mangawhai resident Bruce Rogan.
Mr Gent ran a campaign mainly based off advertisements in the local paper, stating his aims and qualifications: 20 years' governance experience including as chairman of Northland Dairy and Kiwi Dairy companies, and deputy chairman of Fonterra.