The result shows Cr Foster, who has been a Wellington City Councillor since 1992, has received 24,108 votes compared to incumbent Justin Lester who has received 23,393 votes. This is a margin of 715 votes.
Wellington City Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp says approximately 90% of the votes received have been counted but a large number of last minute votes meant a preliminary result wouldn’t be available until Sunday. “Today, we collected 5,563 votes, including special votes. This unprecedented volume of last-minute votes means we won’t know the preliminary result until midday tomorrow, so this progress result may change.
A final result won’t be available until mid-next week.
Progress results for the Wellington City Council wards are:
Takapū/ Northern ward
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Takapū/Northern Ward are:
- Jill Day
- Malcolm Sparrow
- Jenny Condie
Wharangi/ Onslow-Western ward
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward are:
- Diane Calvert
- Simon Woolf
- Rebecca Matthews
Pukehīnau/ Lambton ward
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward are:
- Iona Pannett
- Nicola Young
- Tamatha Paul
Motukairangi/ Eastern ward
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Motukairangi/Eastern Ward are:
- Sarah Free
- Teri O’Neill
- Sean Rush
Paekawakawa/ Southern ward
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Paekawakawa/Southern Ward are:
- Fleur Fitzsimons
- Laurie Foon
Tawa Community Board
On the basis of the progress result, the people elected as councillors for Tawa Community Board are:
- Steph Knight
- Richard Herbert
- Graeme Hansen