Preliminary results in the Whakatāne District Council election show a different outcome from progress results, with three-term councillor and former Green MP Nándor Tánczos now the Mayor Elect.

There is one further change based on these results. Heemi Brown is now elected to the Rangitāiki Community Board.

Preliminary results are votes received up to midday yesterday when voting closed. These do not include special votes.

These results could change. A final declaration of results will be available by Friday, 17 October 2025.

Preliminary results are as follows:

Whakatāne District Mayor Elect

• Nándor Tánczos

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

Community Boards

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
• Heemi Brown

Murupara Community Board
Murupara Subdivision (3 vacancies) The following candidates have been duly declared elected members of the Murupara Community Board (Murupara Subdivision):

• 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: 7306
• Remove: 4804

What happens next:

• By Friday, 17 October: Final results declared, including all special votes.

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