Based on an initial progress result, Glyn Lewers has been elected as the mayor of Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Glyn received 3,678 votes ahead of challengers Jon Mitchell (3,105), Olivia Wensley (2,110), Al Angus (678 votes), Neeta Shetty (432 votes), and Daniel Shand (166 votes).

Frankton-based Glyn won his election to council on a coin-toss three years ago. 

He was tied on 2,183 votes with fellow candidate AJ Mason, and won after choosing heads for a coin toss.

The structural engineer spent six years as a member of the Frankton Community Association, four of those as chair, and is also on the board of Destination Queenstown.

He campaigned on his knowledge of council, and awareness of the complex issues facing our tourism industry.

Read more: Third candidate steps forward

In Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward, Quentin Smith received the most votes to date with 2,967; followed by Barry Bruce (2,224), Lyal Cocks (2,069 votes), and Hāwea newcomer Cody Tucker (1,931).

Quentin Smith received the most votes of the Upper Clutha candidates.

The Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board now has three new faces, and one familiar one.

Simon Telfer received the most votes (2,740), followed by incumbent Chris Hadfield (2,060), John Wellington (1,814) and Linda Joll (1,652).

Barry Bruce received 2,287 votes for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board, but instead takes the position as Wānaka-Upper Clutha councillor. Similarly, Lyal Cocks (1,954 votes) was elected both to the board and as ward councillor, but takes only the position as councillor on the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward.

Elsewhere, Craig (Ferg) Ferguson, Lisa Guy, and Neeta Shetty were elected to the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward; and Matt Wong, Esther Whitehead, Gavin Bartlett, and Niki Gladding were elected to the Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward.

Glyn told the Wānaka App today he was looking forward to making sure Wānaka’s aspirations “are part of the district’s aspirations”.

“I’m looking forward to putting some social infrastructure into Wānaka,” he said, citing a planned arts centre, more investment into community halls, and getting the waterfront development “up and running a lot more”.

The voter return was just 37.25 percent of eligible voters, from 10,464 votes.

The progress result is based upon the counting of approximately 90 percent of the returned votes and excludes votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes. 

The outcome of these elections may change once all votes have been counted, with final results expected on Thursday October 13.

PHOTOS: Supplied