Craig Mackle is feeling relieved after winning a third term as Kaikōura mayor. Mr Mackle has enjoyed a resounding win with 1295 votes based on preliminary results.
''You just never know how things are going to go,'' he said on Saturday afternoon. ''With the video calls and the phone calls it all went crazy.
''It didn't take long for word to spread around the aunts and uncles, so it's pretty cool.''
His closest rival, councillor John Diver has received 386 votes, while Dave Anderson has received just 88 votes. Mr Mackle said he hoped to finally turn the first sod at the much anticipated Vicarage Views sub-division this term. He had hoped the Vicarage Views housing sub-division would be ready to do by now, but ''we are just waiting on the developer to push the button''.
Forming the water services council controlled organisation (CCO) with the Hurunui District Council, finishing off the Wakatu Quay projects, and access for Clarence Valley residents are the priorities for the next three years, he said.
''That's (the CCO) the biggest thing at the moment and there's still a fair bit of work to do there, but we're feeling pretty comfortable. ''And then it's about cleaning up some projects, and the Wakatu Quay is is one of those and it's looking pretty sharp.''
Providing access to residents in the Clarence Valley has been an issue since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake destroyed the Glen Alton bridge in November 2016. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency withdrew its funding for a full replacement bridge earlier this year, leaving the project in limbo. The council is looking at several options, including a bailey bridge. Mr Mackle will be joined around the council table by four incumbent councillors - Vicki Gulleford, Tony Blunt, Kevin Heays and John Diver.
There will be three new councillors, with Joshua McInnes, Corrina Allen Smith and Mark Redwood polling ahead of the other candidates. There were 1818 votes returned, excluding special votes, which represents a 59.37 percent voter return.
Vicki Gulleford 1086, Tony Blunt 1016, Kevin Heays 971, John Diver 899, Joshua McInnes 836, Corrina Allen Smith 824, Mark Redwood 820, Rosie Clemett 772, Melanie Campbell 732, John Booker 571, Ted Howard 555, Te Awhina Rangimarie 461, Kd Scattergood 369, Dave Anderson 285, Barry Aylward 244, Rex Stentiford 222.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.