Mr Kircher (49), a former deputy mayor, has offered the role to Mr Perkins and will officially nominate him during the newly elected council's inaugural meeting in Oamaru today.
Councillors will vote on Mr Kircher's recommendation.
Mr Hopkins (66) ran against Mr Kircher for the mayoralty and polled a clear second. He was the highest-polling council candidate and Mr Perkins (59) polled second-highest.
Mr Kircher said Mr Perkins was capable and thorough, had a good understanding of the council's processes, would be a good representative of the organisation and would be available to stand in on his behalf at functions and meetings.
''While I had confidence that any of our councillors could tick many of these attributes, I believe Hugh covers them all very well. I hope that he will be voted in unanimously,'' Mr Kircher said.
Mr Perkins, a property developer from Oamaru, was elected as a councillor for a second term and said becoming deputy mayor would be a logical next step.
''I really enjoyed the last three years as a councillor ... being deputy mayor would allow me to better understand how the organisation works and to make a bigger contribution to the community,'' he said.
Mr Hopkins, who was elected to his third term as a councillor for the Oamaru ward, said his ability to continue as deputy mayor was never raised in his post-election discussions with Mr Kircher.
He had enjoyed his term as deputy mayor ''very much'' and would have been happy to retain the role.
''It's not a job you apply for. It's a job you are offered,'' he said.
