He said he had not actively promoted himself and "at least two thirds of the votes would have been down to my old man".
"I think it's pretty important for youth to have a voice, so it feels good to be able to represent them. I just want to thank everyone for voting, not just those who voted for me."
Mr Kingi said he had no idea he had topped the polls when he heard the news.
"I didn't even know how many votes I had received, when I found out I had been voted in, I just took the news in my stride and starting thinking about what I wanted to achieve.
Read more:
• Council votes for modified Te Arawa model (+ video)
"I'd like to think my father would be proud of me and I hope to do this position justice."
Highest polling Ngati Whakaue candidate Kingi Biddle said he was thrilled to receive so many votes. "The main thing is that I am in there."
Mr Biddle said he thought he received so many votes because he had been part of the journey from the beginning as a member of the Rotorua Lakes Council Te Arawa Standing Committee.
"I just wanted to be part of the board and now the board is a reality."
The partnership was voted through after a year in development, five days of hearings and more than 1800 submissions.
The board is made up of a cross-section of Te Arawa including koeke (elders), rangatahi, Ngati Whakaue, Te Arawa hapu and iwi, Maori land trusts, incorporations and pan entities.
Two members of the board will be given voting rights on the council's two key committees - the Strategy, Policy and Finance committee, and Operations and Monitoring. The council will be able to veto those appointments if it does not think they would be suitable.
Election results
Koeke (1 Seat)
1. Te Uru o Te Whetu (Fred) Whata (elected unopposed)
Te Arawa Iwi & Hapu (6 Seats)
1. Eraia Kiel - 1456
2. Gina Mohi - 1413
3. Aneta Morgan - 1395
4. Potaua Biasiny-Tule - 1328
5. Te Taru White - 1245
6. Ngaroma (Mala) Grant - 1189
Other candidates:
Raina Meha - 1188
Aroha Bray - 1163
Maramena Vercoe - 908
Michael Staite - 759
Harry H H Dixon - 582
Ngati Whakaue (2 Seats)
1. Kingi Biddle - 1589
2. Ana Morrison - 1250
Other candidates
Rangitiaria Biddle - 756
Rene (Buncie) Mitchell - 731
Selwyn Insley - 528
Land Trusts and Incorporations (2 Seats)
1. David (Rawiri) Waru - 1582
2. Geoffrey Rolleston - 1558
Other candidates
Bella Te Wairemana Tait - 1390
Pan Te Arawa Entities (1 Seat)
1. Eugene Berryman-Kamp - 953
Other candidates
Alan Hamiora Skipwith - 904
Kahuariki Hancock - 661
Rangatahi (2 Seats)
1. Te Mauri Tait Kingi - 1808
2. Ngahuia Hona-Paku - 1525
Other candidates
Dallas Hawe - 106