Lumsden businessman Rob Scott leads a very tight three-way race to become the new Southland district mayor.

After counting of preliminary votes today in the Southland district local elections, Scott led Geoffrey Young by 18 votes, with the incumbent mayor, Gary Tong, a further 15 votes back in third place.

Special votes will be counted this week, with a final announcement expected by Thursday.

The voter return was 47.6%, being 10,013 votes, excluding special votes.

Preliminary results:

Mayor

SCOTT, Rob 2,454

YOUNG, Geoffrey 2,436

TONG, Gary 2,421

PICKETT, Kirsty (We're better together) 1,691

BYARS, Don 659

BAKER, Wendy Joy Independent 210

INFORMAL 20

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 107

Mararoa Waimea Ward (3 vacancies)

* SCOTT, Rob (Withdrawn) 2,039

GREANEY, Sarah 1,899

WILSON, Matt Independent 869

O'BRIEN, Tom 607

CHERNISHOV, Stevey 284

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 166

(* Preliminary result only - Withdrawn as potentially elected as mayor)

Waiau Aparima Ward (3 vacancies)

CHAMBERLAIN, Derek John 1,333

BOPARAI, Jaspreet 858

BYARS, Don 855

WEUSTEN, Michael John Independent 760

MCCALL, Robin Independent 755

HOLIDAY, Troy Independent 521

MARNANE, Gemma 371

LAWRENCE, Gene Independent 168

WALKER, Tammy 160

INFORMAL 6

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 134

Oreti Ward (3 vacancies)

RUDDENKLAU, Margie 1,827

MENZIES, Christine 1,675

FRAZER, Darren 1,602

ALLAN, Katie Independent 1,158

BAKER, Wendy Joy Independent 287

INFORMAL 4

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 73

Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward (1 vacancy)

SPRAGGON, Jon 103

JOY, Aaron Independent 61

HERZHOFF, Ulrike 51

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 3

Wallace Takitimu Community Board (6 vacancies)

PHILPOTT, Tony Independent 663

MABONGA, Edwin 635

LAWRY, Colin 564

MASON, Bridget 477

WILSON, Lester 392

WILSON, Gretchen 383

MARNANE, Gemma 214

BLACKBURN, Eddie 199

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 26

Oraka Aparima Community Board (6 vacancies)

LINSCOTT, Neil 660

WELCH, Eve 521

WEUSTEN, Michael John Independent 513

BUCHANAN, Alby 493

HOLIDAY, Troy 457

GOULD, Emma Faye 361

RIDDELL, Josh 244

MANE-CHAPMAN, Raukura 206

WALKER, Tammy 187

INFORMAL 1

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 49

Waihopai Toetoe Community Board (7 vacancies)

YORKE, Pamela 961

MCINTYRE, John 960

BUTTERS, Emily 917

STEVENSON, George 827

FODIE, Denise 820

STRAITH, Andrea 794

MCCABE, Fiona 672

STANLEY, Annabelle 592

SHEPHERD, Melanie 554

LEITH, Judy 504

SLOANE, Pat 318

KNOTT, Donna 155

INFORMAL 5

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 78

Fiordland Community Board (6 vacancies)

* GREANEY, Sarah (Withdrawn) 1,073

HOLMES, Diane 986

ROBERTSON, Nick 844

BURGESS, Julie 746

HUNTER, Marilyn 665

NORRIS, Kate 634

THOMAS, Luke 616

DRYSDALE, Dianne (Curlz) 601

MCFARLANE, Don 600

BRUCE, John 514

TODD, Alan 418

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 14

(* Preliminary result only - Withdrawn as potentially elected at ward)

Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board (6 vacancies)

DE VRIES, Blayne 427

HORRELL, Anne Cherrie 393

MCKENZIE, Paula 269

EDGERTON, Wayne 264

SANFORD, Jo 240

PARRIS, Marilyn 238

MCCRACKEN, Coke 230

PAHL, Nathalie 218

* BOPARAI, Jaspreet (Withdrawn) 195

REILLY, Alan 137

GARTHWAITE, James 135

STEELE, Glenys Mary 104

CARR, Heather Margaret 100

BOGERS, Chris 82

BACKHOUSE, Ian 34

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 8

(* Preliminary result only - Withdrawn as potentially elected at ward)

Hokonui Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)

SMITH, Colin 181

CHRYSTALL, Janine 110

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 18

Midlands Community Subdivision (4 vacancies)

HERUD, Chris Independent 1,065

ALLAN, Katie Independent 1,038

DOBSON, Philip 944

DIACK, Dave Independent 693

HAWKINS, Hannah Independent 682

BUTLER, Daniel Independent 322

INFORMAL 0

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 78

The voter return was 47.6%, being 10,013 votes, excluding special votes.

Other election results

No election required – all candidates elected:

Waihopai Toetoe Ward (2 Vacancies)

DUFFY, Paul

KEAST, Julie Ann Independent)

Northern Community Board Parawa Fairlight Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)

NAYLOR, Pamela Ngaire

Northern Community Board West Dome Community (2 vacancies)

HELLEWELL, Lance David

TAYLOR, Irene Sonya (known as Sonya)

Oreti Community Board Makarewa Community (2 vacancies)

KENNEDY, Tracy Ruth

MAW, Karen

Byelection required (insufficient number of candidates):

Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board (6 vacancies)

CONNER, Aaron Russell

HERZHOFF, Rakiura Hans Karl

JOY, Aaron Mark (Independent)

MEADS, Daniel Raymond

* SPRAGGON, Jon Ross (withdrawn)

(* Progress result only - Withdrawn as potentially elected at ward)

Ardlussa Community Board (6 vacancies)

CLARKSON, Richard Mark

DICKSON, Raymond Michael

DILLON, Christopher John

HORRELL, Clarke Maxwell

KELSO, Hilary Claire

Northern Community Board Mid Dome Community (3 vacancies)

SMITH, Carolyn Mary

TITHER, Gregory John