UPDTATED 6.10pm: Returning Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson is celebrating the local body election results and his wife's birthday tonight.

Ross Paterson is Mayor of the Western Bay of Plenty again with progress result giving him 4536 votes.

Mark Boyle has received 3672 votes while Don Thwaites got 2275.

Ross Paterson celebrating with his family in Whakamarama. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

SunLive sat down with Ross Paterson this afternoon at his home to discuss the results.

Ross was at his home in Whakamarama when he found out the results.

'They are only progress results but I am very pleased and it has been a good day for local Government in the Western Bay of Plenty.” Ross isn't expecting too much of a change between these results and the preliminary ones expected about 7-9pm tonight.

'It's actually my wife's birthday today, and now we have the results through, we will be having a small celebration at with family and friends tonight.

'I would just like to thank all of those people in the Western Bay of Plenty who supported me during this election campaign.”

He says it has been a drawn out and busy process.

'I am pleased with the results for the council. We have four new councillors and one person returning to their seat.

'It will be good to start working with those who are new to the team and those who have the experience as well.”

The new Western Bay of Plenty District Council will start working together on October 21.

Ross says this is when the inductions will be carried out for those who are new to the council.

'I have spoken to many people during my election campaign and I am looking forward to working on some of the issues people have raised with me.”

Progress results are approximately 95 per cent of all cast votes for the Western Bay of Plenty.

Preliminary results (all votes cast except special votes) are expected to be available between 7pm-9pm.

Of the 32,417 eligible voters in the District 11,239 (34.67 per cent) had returned votes as at 9.15am, Saturday, 12 October 2013. This compares to 37.0 per cent for the 2010 election.

Final results (which include special votes) should be available by Thursday, October 17.

It is anticipated an inaugural meeting of Council will take place in November 2013.

Progress results below:

COUNCIL VACANCIES

Mayor

(one vacancy)

Mark BOYLE

Ross James PATERSON

Don THWAITES

Ward councillors

Katikati/Waihi Beach (three vacancies)

Brian ANDERSON

Sandy COLEY

Ross GOUDIE

Peter MACKAY

Norm MAYO

Mike WILLIAMS

Kaimai Ward (four vacancies)

Carlton BIDOIS

Gwenda MERRIMAN

Rob MONCRIEFF

Margaret MURRAY-BENGE

Don THWAITES

Garry WEBBER

Maketu/Te Puke Ward (four vacancies)

Maureen BURGESS

Graeme CROSSMAN

Grant DALLY

Karyl GUNN

Maria HORNE

Mike LALLY

Kevin MARSH

Michael Parke PITTAR

John Robert SCRIMGEOUR

Paul Geoffrey THOMAS

Community Board

Katikati (four vacancies)

Brian ANDERSON

Sam DUNLOP

Brendan GIBBS

Jenny HOBBS

Norm MAYO

Fern NIELSON

COMMUNITY BOARD VACANCIES

No election has been required for the Omokoroa, Te Puke and Maketu Community Boards as the number of nominations received was the same as vacancies available.

Omokoroa Community Board (four vacancies)

Donald CAMERON

Tim MAURICE

John PALMER

Chris WOODS

Te Puke Community Board (four vacancies)

Grant DALLY

Peter MILLER

Ronald Parker SPRATT

Keith Allen WRATT

Maketu (four vacancies)

Shane BEECH

Gus CANTLON

Rachel CLARK

Kelly HENDERSON

COMMUNITY BOARD SEATS - BY-ELECTION REQUIRED

A by-election will be required for the following community board to fill one vacancy as the number of nominations received is less than the vacancies available.

Waihi Beach (four vacancies)

Ruth PARSONS

Marilyn ROBERTS

Allan Sole

It is expected the by-election will be held in early 2014.