The Western Bay of Plenty has a fresh new mayor with James Denyer taking out the top spot.

Progress results show Denyer has 3593 votes, ahead of Te Puke business man Mark Boyle with 2261 votes, then John Scrimgeour, the previous deputy mayor, with 2231 votes.

Speaking to Local Democracy Reporting shortly after the results were announced, Denyer said he was 'thrilled to have won and really looking forward to the challenge”.

'I've campaigned on getting things done and a positive approach.”

The 46-year-old was a Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward councillor in the previous triennium.

'With my experience at council, there's a lot of change coming.

'A lot of government reform and we need to work through that as a council and get the best for our district and communities”

Some of the upcoming changes include Three Waters Reform, the Future of Local Government Review and changes to the Resource Management Act.

He replaces mayor Garry Webber, who retired this election after 12 years on council serving two as the district's mayor.

Denyer said he was a 'fresh face” and was 'pleased” the community gave him 'that support and the mandate to be the mayor”.

The Katikati resident said he was looking forward to working on the new Waihī Beach Library, the new Te Puke swimming pool and the continued development in Ōmokoroa.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is made up of one mayor and 11 councillors.

Two new Te Puke-Maketu Ward councillors Andy Wichers and Richard Crawford join current councillors John Scrimgeour and Grant Dally.

In the Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward newcomer Rodney Joyce joins Anne Henry and Allan Sole.

First time councillor Tracey Coxhead takes a seat in the Kaimai Ward alongside incumbents Murray Grainger, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites.

Council candidates currently elected are:

• James Denyer: Mayor

• Anne Henry: Katikati-Waihī Beach

• Rodney Joyce: Katikati-Waihī Beach

• Allan Sole: Katikati-Waihī Beach

• Tracey Coxhead: Kaimai

• Murray Grainger: Kaimai

• Margaret Murray-Benge: Kaimai

• Don Thwaites: Kaimai

• Richard Crawford: Maketu-Te Puke

• Grant Dally: Maketu-Te Puke

• John Scrimgeour: Maketu-Te Puke

• Andy Wichers: Maketu-Te Puke

In total 59 candidates contested the 32 seats featuring a mayor, councillors and community board members.

The district's five community boards of Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa Te Puke and Maketu have four seats each.

Preliminary results are expected to be available on Sunday, which will replace the progress results.

Official and final results will be available by Friday, 14 October and available at generationchange.nz and the council's website.

2022 Elections – Progress Results

Mayor (1 Vacancy)

Councillor – Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward (3 Vacancies)

Rodney Joyce is elected as Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward Councillor due to James Denyer being elected as Mayor.

Councillor – Kaimai Ward (4 Vacancies)

Councillor – Maketu-Te Puke Ward (4 Vacancies)

Andy Wichers is elected as Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillor as Shane Beech withdrew from the elections in September due to health and personal reasons.

Waihī Beach Community Board Member (4 Vacancies)

Katikati Community Board Member (4 Vacancies)

Ōmokoroa Community Board Member (4 Vacancies)

Te Puke Community Board Member (4 Vacancies)

Kassie Ellis and Anish Paudel are elected as Te Puke Community Board members as both Richard Crawford and Andy Wichers are elected as Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillors.

Maketu Community Board Member (4 Vacancies)