The final results of the 2025 Queenstown Lakes District Council elections, confirmed at 4.12pm today (Thursday October 16), saw incumbent councillor Cody Tucker elected to represent the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward, overtaking candidate Yeverley McCarthy.

Cody received 2,039 votes, securing the fourth and final seat for the ward. Nicola King led with 3,610 votes, followed by Quentin Smith on 3,394 and Niki Gladding with 2,863 votes. 

Yeverley was told on Saturday (October 11) that she had won a seat on council when the progress results were released. At that stage she led Cody by 122 votes with 85 percent of the vote counted.

That lead narrowed to just 18 votes when the preliminary vote count was released on Monday October 13. The final result sees Cody 34 votes ahead of Yeverley and Craig Gasson.

“It’s bittersweet given how it’s happened,” Cody said. “I feel quite focused … it’s made me quite sure of why I’m doing this.”

The final result also confirmed John Glover as mayor, with 4,599 votes ahead of Glyn Lewers (3,244 votes), Nik Kiddle (2,108 votes), Darren Rewi (1,671 votes), Al Angus (874 votes), and Daniel Shand (125 votes).

Other ward results included:

• Arrowtown-Kawarau (three seats): Heath Copland (1,927 votes), Melissa White (1,730 votes), and Samuel “Q” Belk (1,703 votes)
• Queenstown-Whakatipu (four seats): Matt Wong (2,287 votes), Gavin Bartlett (2,002 votes), Stephen Brent (1,924 votes), and Jon Mitchell (1,689 votes)
• Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board (four seats): Simon Telfer (3,967 votes), Kathy Dedo (3,803 votes), John Wellington (2,900 votes), and Chris Hadfield (2,235 votes)

Across the district, 12,927 votes were cast, representing a 41.16 percent voter turnout. The turnout in 2022 was 43.05 percent.

PHOTO: Supplied