Final results from Northland’s local elections have confirmed new leadership in both Whangārei and Kaipara, with narrow victories in two of the region’s most closely contested mayoral races.

In Kaipara, Jonathan Larsen has been elected mayor after securing 3138 votes—just 21 ahead of runner-up Snow Tane, who received 3117. Former two-term mayor Jason Smith followed closely in third with 3081 votes, making it one of the tightest finishes in the district’s history.

Larsen, who served as deputy mayor under outgoing mayor Craig Jepson, now steps into the top role with a new mix of councillors across the wards. Jepson, who did not seek re-election as mayor, has instead been voted in as a councillor for the Kaiwaka–Mangawhai ward.

The election period was not without controversy, with Jepson calling an emergency council meeting just before the final count to raise concerns about potential irregularities in the voting process. Councillors ultimately voted to forward a formal complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs for review.

Despite the close result, Larsen expressed confidence in the outcome and said he was looking forward to working with the newly elected council to continue progressing the district’s priorities.

Tane, an iwi leader and businessman, narrowly missed out on the mayoralty but was successfully elected as a councillor for the Wairoa Ward, where he received a commanding majority. He said he planned to dedicate more time to representing the area following his retirement from his previous role with Te Roroa Development Group.

Tane Snow

The new Kaipara Council will hold its swearing-in ceremony and inaugural meeting at the Matakohe War Memorial Hall on 30 October.

Meanwhile, in Whangārei, district councillor and Waipū farmer Ken Couper has been confirmed as the new mayor, winning by 435 votes over incumbent Vince Cocurullo.

Cocurullo had led narrowly in early progress results but fell behind as the preliminary and final counts were completed. Couper, first elected to represent the Bream Bay ward in 2019, will now lead the council for the next term.

Ken Couper

Former nurse and sitting councillor Marie Olsen placed third in the Whangārei race.

Alongside the mayoral result, Whangārei voters also opted to disestablish the district’s Māori Ward in this election.

Cocurullo, who had stood only for the mayoralty, will not return to council this term.

Vince Cocurullo

Both districts now move into the next council term with new leadership and a clear mandate from voters following one of Northland’s most closely watched elections in recent years.

For Auckland election results these have been delayed until today, due to a high number of special votes that need to be counted.