The preliminary local election results are in, revealing a nail-biting finish in Kaipara and a smooth return for key representatives in Rodney and Auckland.

Kaipara District Council

Kaipara’s mayoral race is one of the tightest in the region, with just five votes separating the top two candidates.

Jonathan Larsen currently leads with 3,070 votes, narrowly ahead of Snow Tane on 3,065, followed closely by Jason Smith with 3,039. Ash Nayyar sits fourth with 1,326.

With such a slim margin, these results may still change as special votes are counted, but for now, it appears Larsen will be the next Mayor of Kaipara District.

In the Kaiwaka–Mangawhai Ward, the three seats have provisionally gone to Rachael Williams (1,968 votes), Craig Jepson (1,693), and Luke Kenneth Canton (1,651). Other strong contenders included Helen Price (1,460) and Ron Berking (1,311), with Nima Maleki (ACT Local), Wiremu Paikea, and Stephen Allen rounding out the list.

Auckland Council and Rodney Ward

In Auckland, Greg Sayers has been re-elected unopposed as Councillor for the Rodney Ward, ensuring continuity of representation for the district’s rural and coastal communities.

For the Auckland mayoralty, incumbent Wayne Brown (Fix Auckland) leads comfortably with 177,954 votes, ahead of Kerrin Leoni on 75,441 and Ted Johnston on 26,739.

At the Rodney Local Board (Northern Rodney Subdivision), Paul Manton (2,302 votes) and Colin Smith (2,164) have claimed the two available seats, both running as Independents.

In the Warkworth Subdivision, Ivan Wagstaff (4,066) and Tim Holdgate (3,268) lead the polls, followed by David Robb and Taabeta Tebau.

Further south in the Upper Harbour Local Board, the six seats are led by Anna Atkinson (Living Upper Harbour) with 8,121 votes, followed by Uzra Balouch, Kyle Parker, Sylvia Yang, Rebecca Huang, and Selena Wong.

Official results, including special votes, are expected later this week.