Initial progress results released yesterday afternoon showed Mr Tiefenbacher ahead of Green Party candidate Geordie Rogers by 621 votes. However a further count last evening has reduced the lead.
A formal declaration of the final election result will be made by Wednesday 21 February.
A total of 8107 ordinary votes were cast before polls closed at 12 noon yesterday. Turnout is expected to be about 24% of the 33,723 enrolled voters in the ward – which centres on central Wellington, Te Aro and surrounding inner-suburbs.
The seat, one of three in the ward, was vacated by the resignation of former Councillor Tamatha Paul who was elected to Parliament last year.
For more information about the Pukehīnau/Lambton General Ward by-election, visit wellington.govt.nz/by-election.