Southland mayor Rob Scott says a weight has been lifted off after securing a second term in the top job.

Progress results show Scott has won the district mayoralty by a comfortable margin with 4,726 votes separating him from closest opponent, Gary Tong.

It is a far cry from the tense 2022 race which saw three candidates separated by just 45 votes.

“Very relieved, very humbled, and I’m going to sleep a lot easier tonight than I did last night,” Scott said following the win.

“It’s been a stressful few weeks. A number of people I’ve talked to have sort of felt the same thing, so I don’t know what the difference is.

“Maybe this time, because I’ve got something to lose. Whereas last time I kind of had nothing to lose.”

The mayor said it had been difficult to try and do the job while applying for it, but the result was rewarding.

He was spending the afternoon in Winton with friends, family and other councillors.

“It’s good to be able to carry on with the work.”

The council's progress results account for about 85 percent of total votes, but around 510 papers are yet to be counted, plus special votes.

All incumbent councillors who sought re-election would return if progress results held, and the council would welcome new councillors Michael Weusten, Brian Somerville and Phil Dobson.

The council said its preliminary results would be announced tomorrow, with the final result coming later in the week.

Four councillors were elected unopposed due to the makeup of the council's ward structure: Sarah Greaney, Tom O’Brien, Matt Wilson and Jon Spraggon.

Progress results for Southland District Council:

Mayor:

Rob Scott 6,017

Gary Tong 1,291

Wendy Baker 420

Council:

Mararoa Waimea Ward (3 vacancies)

Sarah Greaney elected unoppposed

Tom O'Brien elected unoppposed

Matt Wilson elected unoppposed

Waiau Aparima Ward (3 vacancies)

Don Byars 1,127

Michael Weusten 1,079

Jaspreet Boparai 956

Stevey Chernishov 375

Ōreti Ward (3 vacancies)

Christine Menzies 1,706

Brian Somerville 1,481

Phil Dobson 1,242

Katie Allan 776

Waihōpai Toetoe Ward (2 vacancies)

Paul Duffy 913

Julie Keast 762

Pamela Yorke 572

Phil Scothern 284

Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward (1 vacancy)

Jon Spraggon elected unopposed

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