3.05pm: Re-elected mayor Steve Chadwick has confirmed Dave Donaldson will again be her deputy mayor.
Mrs Chadwick and her supporters, including Mr Donaldson and council chief executive Geoff Williams are celebrating the result at her home this afternoon.
Reporter Matthew Martin is there. He said there was a happy but subdued atmosphere, unlike the celebrations in 2013 when Mrs Chadwick won.
Mrs Chadwick said she was very disappointed Karen Hunt and Janet Wepa had missed out on spots on the council.
"Both of them have been very hard working councillors leading their portfolios."
Steve Chadwick is celebrating victory, having won another three-year term as mayor of Rotorua.
With about 98 per cent of the votes counted, Mrs Chadwick has received 7880 votes, ahead of Dr Reynold Macpherson with 5652 and Rob Kent in third with 3006 votes.
Dr Macpherson of the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers group, had earlier conceded defeat.
Dr Reynold Macpherson at the CT Club this evening. Photo/Stephen Parker
Rotorua MP Todd McClay has congratulated Mrs Chadwick on her re-election and said he looked forward to working with her.
Mr McClay said there had been significant progress in Rotorua over the last few years.
"The economy is strong with local GDP growing faster than the national average. Forestry and tourism are doing well and are adding to the strength of the local economy. Our population is growing as jobs are being created, Rotorua is increasingly seen as an attractive place to invest and to live," he said.
"Rotorua is doing well.
"I think we've worked well over the last three years and have shown we are both committed to putting Rotorua first.
"Steve and I have said we will continue to work closely, particularly around housing and economic development. The freeing up of land to build houses and commitment to improve local infrastructure are important to Rotorua's continued growth.
"I congratulate Mayor Chadwick and the entire Rotorua Lakes Council and commit to continuing to work with our new council to make Rotorua an even better place to live, work and play."
Seven people were in the running for the mayoralty - Mrs Chadwick, Dr Macpherson, district councillors Rob Kent and Mark Gould, RangiMarie Kingi, Frances Louis and John Rakei-Clark.
Mayoralty: CHADWICK, Stephanie (Steve) 7880 MACPHERSON, Reynold Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers 5652 KENT, Rob Independent 3006 GOULD, Mark 1618 KINGI, RangiMarie Independent - Tohunga - Maori Researcher 384 RAKEI-CLARK, John Independent 228 LOUIS, Frances Te Ropu Awangawanga - CONCERN 117 INFORMAL 60 BLANK VOTING PAPERS 426
This result is based upon the counting of approximately 98% of the returned votes. The progress result does not include some special votes and votes returned today that are still in transit to the processing centre. The outcome of these elections may change once all votes have been counted.
The voter return was 42.14%, being 19,475 votes, excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special votes.
More to come.
Huge congratulations to Phil Goff and Steve Chadwick Mayor of Rotorua.! Great to see that my beloved cities are in such good hands.
