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Southland Mayor Rob Scott Secures Second Term
October 11, 2025
Southland mayor Rob Scott has romped home in his bid for a second term, 4,726 votes clear of his nearest rival.
Progress results show Scott received 6,017 votes, followed by Gary Tong on 1,291 votes and Wendy Baker on 420 votes.
The win is resounding compared to the 2022 election, when Scott beat Geoffrey Young by just 39 votes and then-mayor Tong by 45 votes.
The district council said its progress results account for about 85 percent of votes. About 510 more papers plus special votes are yet to be counted. If progress results hold, all incumbent councillors who sought re-election would return.
The council would also welcome new councillors Michael Weusten, Brian Somerville and Phil Dobson.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
Local Democracy Reporting
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