"I'm very pleased with the new council. Even though the changes are subtle, it's looking like a great team."
Mr Bonne said he was also pleased Opotiki and Kawerau incumbent mayors, John Forbes and Malcolm Campbell, were re-elected.
"I think it's really important for the Eastern Bay community."
Mr Bonne said he had a few celebratory drinks with his campaign supporters Saturday afternoon and yesterday was spent working in his shop.
"This is a fantastic result and I would like to thank the people who voted for me."
Kawerau
Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell is about to begin his fifth term.
After a convincing win on Saturday, Mr Campbell said he was happy with the result but a little upset about the possibility of losing two of his most senior councillors Bernie Joyes and Anita Moore.
"It's been a bit of a blow although I'll wait for preliminary results as Bernie is only behind the number eight spot by 19 votes.
"However, if they're not re-elected I'll just have to get over that and get on with the job. Fresh people may bring fresh ideas to the table and that's not a bad thing."
He said retention of the three incumbent Eastern Bay of Plenty mayors was a big plus.
"Not just for the three towns we represent but for the betterment of the entire region.
"We're only 50 thousand people tucked away at the end of Bay of Plenty and we need to ensure that we look after ourselves and also retain our independence."
Mr Campbell said he was at a funeral when the progressive results were announced just after 1.30pm. After leaving the funeral Mr Campbell went to speak to Ms Moore before heading home."
Opotiki
Opotiki mayor John Forbes said he was relieved and ready after being re-elected to his fifth term on Saturday.
"Relieved as there are always a few nervous moments and ready to accept the responsibility of this wonderful community for another three years," Mr Forbes said.
He acknowledged all the candidates who had been gutsy enough to put their names forward for the 2013 local body elections.
"You put yourself out there and essentially are judged by the community so to everyone, both successful and unsuccessful, congratulations."
Mr Forbes begins the next three years with half of his former six councillors.
"We've had a couple of retirements and one councillor head toward to the regional council which has resulted in three new faces. I think this is exciting and there's some neat people now on board."
He said he was also absolutely happy to be able to continue working with Whakatane and Kawerau mayors Tony Bonne and Malcolm Campbell.
"Actually the mayors throughout the entire Bay of Plenty region work extremely well together and this unity is often commented on by mayors from the Waikato.
"I think Rotorua and Western Bay mayors are all in agreement that what's good for one is good for the other and there's a great feeling among all councils."
He said he really believed the Bay of Plenty region was the best in the country.
Taupo
Former Taupo Deputy Mayor David Trewavas will now don the mayoral chains after winning the election by more than 2000 votes from his nearest rival Bernhard Chrustowski.
Mr Trewavas received 4429 votes with Mr Chrustowski picking up 2289 votes.
He said it was an exciting time for Taupo.
"I was very humbled and appreciative with the support the community has given me to get on with the job.
"Obviously it's all about relationships and getting the team of councillors together as we have a very good mix from around the community.
"I need to get familiar with all of the organisations in town, which are quite diverse, so you need to be conversant with them all and find out what they are wanting to achieve."
He said one of the major issues he wanted to tackle was the debate regarding capital value rating and land value rating.
"We need to ask our people if they want to have another look at that to see if there is any need for change or if we can make the system better," he said.
These are preliminary results and are subject to change
