New Central Hawke's Bay mayor Alex Walker believes voters have indicated they wanted a fresh direction from their council, but she has acknowledged the work outgoing councillors have done.
Ms Walker has stormed to victory with 3,196 votes, ahead of fellow candidate Mrs Butler with 1,475 and Gerard Pain, with 604 in the progress results so far.
She said she had no idea what the result was going to be, although she knew she had support.
"You get a distorted view of reality though when you are surrounded by people you know - it's the people you don't know that are the important ones.
"It's very exciting, and it's very clear what the community wants and that it needs a fresh direction, skills and perspectives."