Late surge in votes lifts Auckland turnout ahead of final results

A last-minute surge in votes has lifted Auckland’s voter turnout to 28.8 percent, with more than 68,500 votes cast on Saturday morning, October 11.

Auckland Council’s General Manager of Governance and Engagement, Lou-Ann Ballantyne, says it’s heartening to see residents getting their votes in just in time.

“As you’ll see from these results, every single vote counts,” Ballantyne said today, October 13.

“The story continues as we look forward to announcing the final results confirming elected members for Tāmaki Makaurau this Friday, once special votes have been validated and counted.”

While the latest count (as of 4pm today), hasn’t changed the overall mayoral result, several local board races remain on a knife-edge, with small margins reshaping the provisional line-up overnight.

“We are updating candidates who have been affected by these changes, with more news to come,” Ballantyne said.

“Successful or not, I’d like to thank all candidates for putting their best foot forward and their efforts to step up for Tāmaki Makaurau.”

Among the tight contests:

• Albany Ward: Newcomer Victoria Short and incumbent John Watson remain provisionally elected, but Wayne Walker trails Watson by just 563 votes.
• Albert-Eden Local Board: Michelle Thorp has overtaken Rex Smith by 102 votes to claim the fourth seat in the Maungawhau Subdivision.
• Kaipātiki Local Board: Emma Ryburn-Phengsavath could take a seat vacated by John Gillon, who leads for North Shore Ward councillor.
• Howick Local Board: Luke Collings may fill the fourth seat if Bo Burns secures the Howick Ward councillor role.
• Manurewa Local Board: Heather Andrew and Raewyn Bhana have edged ahead of Judy Tipping for the seventh and eighth seats.
• Puketāpapa Local Board: Rowan Cant and Brendan Larmer have taken the lead for the fifth and sixth seats.
• Waiheke Local Board: Just 10 votes separate incumbents Paul Walden and Bianca Ranson for the fifth seat.
• Waitākere Ranges Local Board: Seven candidates remain in a tight race for three seats, with less than 200 votes between them.

Final results, including validated special votes, are expected this Friday.