Incumbent mayor Bryan Cadogan will represent Clutha for a fifth consecutive term after defeating three challengers this election.
Mr Cadogan said he was "stunned and rapt" after bringing home the victory during what had been a harder than usual campaign.
"It was a funny campaign. I couldn't read it, because there was such a vociferous amount of noise, and yet you have to believe in the good people of the Clutha District. I thank everyone for their support."
In progress results released about 2.25pm, Mr Cadogan had secured 2500 votes to see off a strong challenge from incumbent Kaitangata-Matau ward councillor Bruce Graham, with 1444 votes.
Newcomer challengers Gail Oats and Chris McDonald came third and fourth, with 825 and 425 votes respectively.
Despite losing out in the mayoralty race, Mr Graham was returned successfully to council in the Kaitangata-Matau ward.
In the key Balclutha ward, where a gap was left by Carol Sutherland after she stepped down, the three remaining incumbents were returned to council, supplemented by newcomer Kevin Barron who stood under the Clutha Residents and Ratepayers Association banner.
Ken Payne received 1147 votes, Alison Ludemann 986, Mr Barron 846 and Wayne Felts 690.
Similarly, in Bruce ward, a gap had been left by outgoing councillor Selwyn Wilkinson.
Other newcomers included Brent Mackie for Clinton ward, pipping incumbent Jo-Anne Thomson to the post by 180 votes to 165; Simon McAtamney (272 votes) in Clutha Valley, filling the slot left by retiring deputy mayor Stewart Cowie; and Jock Martin (247) in Lawrence-Tuapeka, filling the shoes of Mel Foster, who stepped down.
Elsewhere it was largely business as usual, as some familiar faces returned to the table.
In the Catlins, incumbent Dane Catherwood defeated challenger Lynelle Barrett by 294 votes to 95.
In West Otago, incumbent John Herbert and former councillor Michelle Kennedy were returned, with 527 and 439 votes respectively.
Mrs Kennedy stepped down from council in December 2020, citing work and health reasons, which she has since indicated have been resolved.
Mr Herbert had also announced he would be standing down at this election to focus on work and family.
However, he returned to the fray late during nominations, after it looked uncertain that any candidates would stand for West Otago.
Preliminary results will be released tomorrow, and final results on Thursday, October 13.
Mayor
CADOGAN, Bryan, 2500
GRAHAM, Bruce Roger, 1444
OATS, Gail Ann, 825
MCDONALD, Chris (independent), 425
Councillors (14)
Balclutha Ward (4)
PAYNE, Ken, 1147
LUDEMANN, Alison Joan, 986
BARRON, Kevin (Clutha Residents and Ratepayers Association), 846
FELTS, Wayne, 690
DODDS, Brodie Nicole (independent), 675
LINKLATER Beth (Clutha Residents and Ratepayers Association), 509
HANLON Paul, 360
DONG, Changrong, 285
Bruce Ward (3)
FINCH, Gaynor, 823
VOLLWEILER, Bruce Peter, 757
MCCROSTIE, Dean, 663
FROST, Larry Alan, 496
SMITHIES, Peter (independent), 264
MORRIS Des, 157
Catlins Ward (1)
CATHERWOOD, Dane Joel, 294
BARRETT, Lynelle, 95
Clinton Ward (1)
MACKIE, Brent John, 180
THOMSON, Jo-Anne Janetta, 165
Clutha Valley Ward (1)
MCATAMNEY, Simon (independent), 272
BARRETT, Phil, 64
TAPP, Therron Robert (independent), 33
Kaitangata-Matau Ward (1)
GRAHAM, Bruce Roger, 194
OATS, Gail Ann, 76
Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward (1)
MARTIN, Jock, 247
DOWLE, Peta, 120
West Otago Ward (2)
HERBERT, John, 527
KENNEDY, Michele, 439
BROCK, Bronwyn (independent), 132
LIVINGSTON, Christine, 82
Community Boards
West Otago Community Board (6)
ROULSTON, Linda, 524
HANNA Barbara, 522
ROBERTSON, Bruce, 504
RICHARDSON Sonia, 472
CRAWFORD, Cecil James, 398
DIAMOND, Mark, 280
MILLS, Patrick (independent), 198
Preliminary results will be released on the council website on Sunday, 9 October. The final results will be released on 13 October.
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board and Clutha Health Incorporated members were elected unopposed.
