Hastings District Council's new look

Two of Hastings Dictrict Council's new councillors Damon Harvey (left) and Bayden Barber.

Hastings District Council will see a new makeup with former deputy mayor, Cynthia Bowers standing down, and three term councillor Wayne Bradshaw losing his seat.

Mrs Bowers hoped to gain a seat on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council but was unsuccessful in her campaign.

Mayor Lawrence Yule retained his position beating off challengers Guy Wellwood and councillor Adrienne Pierce, who ended up staying in her council seat.

Mr Bradshaw was the shock of the election, outvoted by newcomers Damon Harvey, Geraldine Travers and Bayden Barber in the Hastings-Havelock North ward.

He was a long-time opponent to mayor Lawrence Yule but Mr Yule said he had significantly contributed to council over the nine years.

Mr Harvey was the highest polling new candidate and hoped to limit the number of terms for sitting councillors to three, keeping the district moving forward with fresh ideas.

Ms Travers said she was surprised by the result and was really delighted, as it was going to be a great new chapter.

She hoped the council would be a positive environment where people worked constructively together, as she said that is how you make forward progress.

Mr Barber, the chair of Health Hawke's Bay, said he was ecstatic and it was the best news he had heard in six weeks.

He said the community had raised a number of concerns over the campaign; water being a big one and he was keen to see if they could get solutions on these issues.

Sandra Hazlehurst was the highest polled candidate on the council with 8040 votes.

She was excited to be back around the table and could not wait to get stuck in to the issues with the new fresh faces combined with the existing experience.

A couple of anxious days awaits Heretaunga Ward candidates Ann Redstone and Jason Whaitiri with Ms Redstone holding the second seat by just two votes last night.

If she was successful she was hoping to focus on the issues of the water, the opera house and the Hastings CBD.

In the Flaxmere ward both Jacoby Poulain and Henare O'Keefe were re-elected and George Lyons secured the seat in the Kahuranaki Ward.

Tania Kerr continued to hold the seat for the Mohaka Ward after being unopposed this election.