Local Elections – Voting Closes 12pm Today – Provisional Results from mid afternoon

By John Grant

The Thames-Coromandel District Council 2025 election concludes today, Saturday, 11 October 2025, with voting closing at 12pm. Polling booths are open for in-person voting including special votes until this deadline. The election includes selections for mayor, councillors and community board members across the Coromandel-Colville, Mercury Bay, South Eastern (covering Tairua-Pāuanui and Whangamatā), and Thames wards, alongside community board members. A binding poll on retaining the Māori ward, established to ensure Māori representation, is also underway, with results to be determined today. We will also be providing results on the Hauraki District Council for Mayor, and local wards, Plains, Paeroa, Waihi and Te Pakikau o Te Ika Māori wards. Like TCDC the Hauraki District Council also has a referendum on whether to keep Māori Wards.

Voting commenced on 9 September, following an electioneering period that began in early August. For TCDC. as of Thursday evening, 9 October, the cumulative turnout stands at 9,725 voting documents returned out of 25,523 eligible electors, equating to 42.0%. This figure reflects data updated to the close of that day, with potential for further returns from yesterday and today.

For a comparative overview, the total votes cast as a percentage of enrolled electors as at 9 October for the 2025, 2022, and 2019 elections are as follows: 2025 at 42.0%, 2022 at 45.0%, and 2019 at 45.5%. These figures indicate a slightly lower turnout in 2025 compared to the previous two elections at this stage, though final turnouts were 51.5% in 2022 and 54.7% in 2019, suggesting a possible increase today as late voters submit their papers.

Key areas to watch today will be the TCDC mayoral result with 6 contenders including current mayor Len Salt seeking re-election and other contenders including current councillor Peter Revell and new contender from Whangamata Patrick Kerr.

For Councillor roles all areas will require a close watch with South Eastern ward of particular interest with two new positions on offer after the retirement of Deputy Mayor Terry Walker and Councillor Gary Gotlieb.

Coromandel CFM will provide live coverage starting at 1pm, with provisional results expected from 2pm and updates throughout the afternoon. The broadcast team includes local reporter John Freer, a candidate for the South Eastern Ward, and incumbent Mercury Bay Councillor John Grant, seeking re-election. Interviews with successful candidates are planned as results emerge.

In addition to the live coverage, Facebook and our website will also be updated.