Central Hawke’s Bay election results: Will Foley the new mayor

Will Foley is the next mayor of Central Hawke's Bay.

Will Foley is the new mayor of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.

Foley, who was a Regional Councillor for the past six years, currently leads incumbent Alex Walker to the seat by just over 1800 votes with just special votes to count.

He said he was “deeply honoured” and thanked residents for voting for change.

“First, I want to congratulate all successful councilors. I look forward to working alongside you to serve our community.

“To those who stood but were not successful, thank you for your courage and contribution to our democratic process. Running for office takes real commitment, and our district is better for your participation,” he said.

“To Alex Walker, thank you for your incredible service to Central Hawke’s Bay. The impacts of your contributions have been felt far and wide and your continued energy and passion for the region are clear. I wish you all the best for the future.

“Now, the work begins.”

At this point, expected to join Foley at the Council table will be Gerard Minehan and Kelly Annand in the At Large ward, Todd Chote and Pip Burne in the Ruataniwha Ward and Jerry Greer in the Aramoana- Ruahine Ward.

The remaining four seats are currently too close to call. They are between Brent Muggeridge, Simon Collin and Kate Taylor in the Aramoana – Ruahine Ward, Kirsty Lawrence and Tim Gilbertson in the Ruataniwha Ward, and Amiria Nepe Apatu, currently leads the Rautahi (Māori) Ward, ahead of Te Ata Kura Huata.

The progress results also show that the district has voted to remove the Māori Ward after this triennium.

“Congratulations to Will and the new council. The organisation and I are looking forward to working alongside the new council team to continue to deliver on the ambitions of the community in the new triennium,” Chief Executive Doug Tate said.

“Thank you also to everyone that stood, voted or supported people to vote or stand in the 2025 Local Government Elections.

“To Alex – nga mihi nui ki a koe - thank you. Thank you for the countless hours of life away from family and friends, working to progress Tamatea – Central Hawke’s Bay”.

Walker was first elected as mayor in 2013 and has led the small rural township through Cyclone Gabrielle and its ongoing recovery.

Preliminary results are due by Sunday, when all ordinary votes will have been processed and counted.

Official results, including special votes, will be announced on Thursday October 16.

As of Friday afternoon, 46.66% from an electoral roll of 10,878 had returned papers in Central Hawke’s Bay, the highest percentage in the region, and up on 43.89% in 2022.

Results for Mayor (1 Vacancy)

Will Foley - 3209 (elected)

Alex Walker - 1819

Results for At Large (2 Vacancies)

Kelly Annand - 2481 (elected)

Meg Gordon - 1528

Stella McDonald - 1144

Gerard Minehan - 3406 (elected)

Results for Ruataniwha General Ward (3 Vacancies)

Pip Burne - 1250 (elected)

Todd Chote - 1457 (elected)

Tim Gilbertson - 766 (unconfirmed)

Murray Kenderdine - 451

Kirsty Lawrence - 925 (unconfirmed)

Jenny Nelson-Smith - 410

Ben Revell - 135

Graham Stubbs - 684

Nominations for Aramoana-Ruahine General Ward (3 Vacancies)

Simon Collin - 1220 (unconfirmed)

Jerry Greer - 1452 (elected)

Brent Muggeridge - 1356 (unconfirmed)

Kate Taylor - 1195 (unconfirmed)

Results for Rautahi Māori Ward (1 Vacancy)

Te Ata Kura Huata - 136 (unconfirmed)

Amiria Nepe Apatu - 275 (unconfirmed)

Māori ward referendum

Votes to keep: 1931 Votes to remove: 2944

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.