2.55pm
Aksel Bech – 2025
Aksel Bech has been elected Waikato mayor.
2.50pm
Clare St Pierre – born in Te Rore, first class honours in Business Studies, NZ Institute of Directors chartered member, council since 2013.
Clare St Pierre has retained her council seat, heading the Pirongia and Kakepuku ward race on 1501 votes. Les Bennett (1240) has the second spot, 169 votes ahead of Naomi Pocock (1071).
The Cambridge Community Board will have a mostly fresh line-up, with Charlotte Fitzpatrick (2184), Gerda Venter (2059), Chris Minneé (1684) and Stewart Dromgool (1593) topping the progress results in the Cambridge Subdivision, and Andrew Myers (772) re-elected from the Maungatautari Subdivision.
In the Cambridge ward, Jo Davies-Colley has claimed the first of the four vacant seats with 2834 votes, with Roger Gordon second on 1991. Behind them, Pip Kempthorne is third on 1437, and Hope Spooner fourth on 1429. Aidhean Camson is in fifth spot and only 12 votes behind Spooner with 1417 votes.
In Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Ward, those set to take the three seats at the council table are Shane Walsh (1621), Dean Taylor (1604) and Marcus Gower (1185). Lou Brown is in fourth spot with 1051.
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board will be represented by Ange Holt (2192), Liam Bullen (2050), Jill Taylor (1710) and John Wood (1660). Kane Titchener was elected unopposed.
2.36pm
Mike Pettit flanked by former Waipa mayor Jim Mylcheest and Tauranga mayor Mahe Drysdale.
Mike with his proud mum and dad, Anne Whitsed and Mike Pettit snr. Photo: Viv Posselt
2.34pm
Roger Gordon and Mike Pettit. Photo: Viv Posselt
Mike and Nic Pettit being congratulated by Mahe and Juliette Drysdale. The girls used to row together. Photo: Viv Posselt
Celebrating with the family, from left, Anamieke Pettit, Phoebe Pettit, Natalia Pettit, Macie Pettit, Amy Pettit, Hugo Pettit, Mike and Nic Pettit with baby Rumi Pettit, their first grandchild. Photo: Viv Posselt
An emotional Mike Pettit announcing his win to supporters. Photo: Viv Posselt
2.27pm
There will be some new faces around the council table. In some cases, there are only a matter of votes between candidates.
At the progress stage:
Mayor
Mike Pettit has 5238 votes while incumbent Susan O’Regan has 4291 votes.
Cambridge Ward (4)
Jo Davies-Colley (2834), Roger Gordon (1991), Pip Kempthorne (1437), Hope Spooner (1429). Aidhean Campson (1417) is only 12 votes behind Spooner and Mike Cater and Barry Quayle are tied on 1388. Dave Marinkovich sits on 1379.
Pirongia and Kakepuku Ward (2)
Clare St Pierre leads the polling on 1501 with Les Bennett on 1240. Naomi Pocock has received 1071.
Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Ward (3)
Shane Walsh (1621), Dean Taylor (1604) and Marcus Gower (1185) top the polling with Lou Brown on (1051).
Maungatautari Ward (1)
Mike Montogomerie has been elected unopposed.
Waipā Māori Ward (1)
Dale-Maree Morgan has received (366) ahead of Yvonne Waho on 301.
2.10pm
Mike Pettit – born in Kawakawa, school principal from 2008, Cambridge Community Board from 2018 and council since 2019.
Mike Pettit is leading the mayoralty race with about 85 per cent of the votes counted. Pettit has 5238 votes while incumbent Susan O’Regan has 4291 votes. Voting turnout is 30.5 per cent excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes.
The Waipa Maori ward will not be retained. A total of 6854 people voted to remove the ward, almost 2000 votes more than those who wanted it retained (4888).
2.05pm
Garry Reymer – 2025
Stuart Kneebone – 2025
Garry Reymer and Stu Kneebone have been elected (preliminary) as Waikato regional councillors in the Waipa-King Country constituency.
1.45pm
Sources are telling Cambridge News, Mike Pettit is leading in the race for Waipa mayoralty and that Dean Taylor has been elected to the council. More to come …..
1.15pm
John Robertson
Incumbent John Robertson has been confirmed as Waitomo District mayor, sources have told the King Country News.
12.40pm
Mum Jessie Wright brought along Violet, 9, and Joey, 7, for a hands-on lesson in democracy within minutes of the noon deadline. Photo: Viv Posselt
Taupō MP Louise Upston dropping her son’s voting papers in just before noon, complete with coffee stains. Photo: Viv Posselt
12.10pm
Kevin Howard was travelling around in his campervan and was racing the clock to get back to Te Awamutu to vote. He made it back just in time for a special vote with eight minutes to spare. Photo: Jesse Wood
Waipa local election day 2025. Archer Humphrys, 3 and Anna Humphrys get their last minute votes in with Bev Taylor from Waipa District Council. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
11.45am
Waipa District Council staff have been out in their droves to get people to vote in the Local Body Elections.
Chief executive Steph O’Sullivan and strategic director Katie Mayes were in the Cambridge CBD and Farmers’ Market while other staff were at council offices in Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
The polls closed at noon.
Waipa local election day 2025 – Waipa staffers, from left: Sarah Noble, Bev Taylor, Matt Noble encouraging people to vote. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waipa local election day 2025. Waipa chief executive Steph O’Sullivan, right, with executive director Katie Mayes. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Waipa local election day 2025. Executive director Katie Mayes, left, and chief executive Steph O’Sullivan in the main street watched by bystanders. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
