Auckland’s local election turnout hit 28.8 percent by Saturday morning, with more than 68,500 votes cast across the city.

Auckland Council’s General Manager of Governance and Engagement, Lou-Ann Ballantyne, says every vote has made a difference as close races tighten before final results this Friday.

“As you’ll see from these results, every single vote counts,” she says.

“We look forward to confirming elected members for Tāmaki Makaurau once special votes are validated and counted.”

While the mayoral race remains unchanged, several local board results shifted overnight.

In the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s Hibiscus Coast Subdivision, Coast Community candidates Jake Law and Gemma Moffat hold the top two spots with 7,866 and 7,162 votes respectively. Gary Brown of Coast People follows with 6,265 votes, and Leanne Willis also of Coast People rounds out the four available seats with 4,964.

In the Rodney Local Board’s Dairy Flat Subdivision, Independent candidate Lisa Whyte leads with 1,234 votes.

For Albany Ward, newcomer Victoria Short from Fix Auckland holds a clear lead with 16,188 votes, followed by incumbent John Watson on 15,290.

Wayne Walker trails by just 563 votes, keeping the contest alive until final confirmation.

Find all Preliminary Results here.

Ballantyne thanked all candidates for stepping forward.

“Successful or not, I’d like to thank everyone for putting their best foot forward for Tāmaki Makaurau.”

Final results are due Friday once all special votes are tallied, confirming the Hibiscus Coast’s representatives for the next term.

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