With the majority of votes counted, it is looking certain that Kawerau District Council will be retaining both its Māori wards and its current mayor in the local election.

Progress results, which include all votes received as of Friday night, show that in the Māori ward referendum, 1247 have voted to keep Māori wards and just 592 have voted not to keep them.

Current mayor Faylene Tunui has received a clear majority of votes with 1336 compared to Carolyn Ion’s 547.

It appears that Ion will not be returning as councillor either as the two vacancies on the Kawerau district at large she also stood for have current councillors Sela Kingi, with 1120 votes and Berice Julian, with 1079 votes comfortably ahead of her 899.

The three Kawerau general ward seats have Justin Ross (896) Anthony Worsley (716) and Tracy Hill (524) well ahead of Mel Drummond (245).

The three new Māori ward seats have the closest competition, though Waikite Apiata has taken a clear lead with 529 votes.

Gloria Te Paki Leokava-Taani (391) also looks safe, but only 20 votes separate Mal Dowie (352) and Lyzette Howard (322).

Final results are expected to be released by Thursday.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.