Preliminary election results: Far North

Wayne Brown. Photo / APN

5573 - Wayne Brown
5032 - Sir John Goulter
3781 - Lauri Byers

The morning after provisional results came out, Far North District Council Mayor Wayne Brown had already been hit up by constituents.

Special votes are likely to have little effect on the result as Mr Brown, who had 5573 residents tick the box next to his name, had a 541-vote lead over businessman Sir John Goulter, who was taking his first tilt at local representation.

Former Commonwealth Games cyclist Laurie Byers gained 4017 votes.

At home in Mangonui yesterday, Mr Brown said mayors were often asked to do strange things. "I was walking along the road yesterday and someone came and asked me to fix all the empty bottles in the country ... you suddenly think, what am I in for?"

Three years ago Mr Brown beat Mayor Yvonne Sharp by more than 4000 votes. He said there was not much to say about how his majority had slipped away in three years.

"If the All Blacks win the World Cup next year is anyone going to remember the score?"