The preliminary results in the 2025 Whangārei District Council local government election have been released.

With 100% of the ordinary votes now counted, Ken Couper has taken the lead for the Mayoralty, with Vince Cocurullo in second position followed by Marie Olsen.

Ken Couper is currently leading in the race for the Mayoralty with 12003 votes, followed by Vince Cocurullo with 11696 and Marie Olsen in third with 8155.

Whangārei’s voters have chosen to disestablish the District’s Māori Ward.

Under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, results may change between the release of the preliminary results and the final results.

Final results will be delivered between Monday 13 and Friday 17 October 2025. Official declaration of results will be made on Friday 17 October, via public notice.

Whangarei District Council Chief Executive Simon Weston thanked all candidates in the election for their vision, courage and commitment to their communities.

The Whangarei District Council website will be updated as information comes to hand, at www.wdc.govt.nz/ElectionResults

Preliminary Results

(100% ordinary results, excluding special votes)

Mayor

Ken Couper (12003)

At this stage the successful ward councillor candidates are:

Bream Bay General Ward

Ken Couper (1636)

Matthew Yovich (1635)

Hikurangi-Coastal General Ward

Scott McKenzie (1312)

Stephen Martin (1234)

Mangakahia-Maungatapere General Ward

Simon Reid (1451)

Whangārei District Māori Ward

Deb Harding (1290)

Phoenix Ruka (1330)

Whangārei Heads General Ward

Tangiwai Baker (1369)

Whangārei Urban General Ward

Marie Olsen (2027)

Brad Flower (1847)

Nicholas Connop (1819)

Paul Yovich (1831)

Chrichton Christie (1778)

Māori Wards referendum results

Disestablish (15886)

Retain (12713)

Full results are available on the Whangarei District Council website:

www.wdc.govt.nz/ElectionResults

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