Initial results for the Whakatāne district local body elections suggest a vastly different council that will be led by international man of science Dr Victor Luca.
Current councillor, Luca leads in the mayoral results with a huge margin of just under 1000 votes, despite spending two months this year in Argentina, after being invited by the United Nations to help build the capacity of the Argentine Nuclear Energy Commission.
Whakatāne District Council has issued election progress results, which include all votes received up to midday on Friday. Those received today, before noon when voting closed, are yet to be counted, along with special votes.
These results will change. Preliminary results will be issued tomorrow and will include all votes collected today.
A final declaration of results will be available on Thursday, 13 October 2022.