Candidates stood and voters answered - progress election results show a new-look Council taking shape for the Whakatāne District.
Votes also show that Māori Wards are here to stay.
All candidates have been notified of the progress results in the elections for Mayor, Councillor and Community Board representative roles.
The progress results include all votes received up to midday on Friday, 10 October 2025. Those received up to midday today when voting closed are yet to be counted, along with special votes.
These results could change. Preliminary results will be issued tomorrow (Sunday, 12 October) and will include all votes collected today (Saturday, 11 October).
A final declaration of results will be available by Friday, 17 October 2025.
Progress results are as follows:
Whakatāne District Mayor Elect
- Victor Luca
Whakatāne District Councillors Elect
Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward (4 vacancies)
- Malcolm Whitaker
- Carolyn Louise Hamill
- Julie Claire Jukes
- Lesley Nerida Immink
Te Urewera General Ward (1 vacancy)
- Andrew Iles (elected unopposed)
Rangitāiki General Ward (2 vacancies)
- Gavin Dennis (elected unopposed)
- Wilson James (elected unopposed)
Rangitāiki Māori Ward (1 vacancy)
- Tu O'Brien
Kāpū-te-rangi Māori Ward (1 vacancy)
- Toni Boynton
Toi ki Uta Māori Ward (1 vacancy)
- Jesse Wayne Morgan-Ranui
Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board (6 vacancies)
- Sue Whale
- Christopher Howard
- Douglas McLean
- Linda Bonne
- Rosemary Jan Sloman
- Sasha Victoria Cessford
Tāneatua Community Board (6 vacancies)
As the number of candidates does not exceed the number of vacancies, the following candidates have been duly declared elected members of the Tāneatua Community Board:
- Vinnop Xaviour
- Talei Bryant
- Shane Page
A by-election for the remaining three vacancies will be held on 3 March 2026.
Rangitāiki Community Board (6 vacancies)
- Storm Hale
- Bill Clark
- Stu McHardy
- Stephanie Bonner
- Bruce Evans
- Peter Flowerday
Murupara Community Board
Murupara Subdivision (3 vacancies)
- Weku Kereopa
- Irma Prentice
- Karito Paul
Galatea-Waiōhau Subdivision (2 vacancies)
- Alison Silcock (elected unopposed)
If Jesse Wayne Morgan-Ranui is confirmed successful in the Toi ki Uta Māori Ward there will be a by-election for the Galatea-Waiōhau Subdivision in March 2026.
Te Urewera Subdivision (1 vacancy)
- Mere Kuia Honeycombe
Māori Wards Poll
- Keep: 5569
- Remove: 3707
What happens next:
- Tomorrow (Sunday, 12 October): Preliminary results will be announced. These include all votes received up to midday Saturday.
- By Friday, 17 October: Final results declared, including all special votes.