Elected Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor John Cronin says he is excited about the composition of the new council, confirmed in the final result released Friday morning.

John Cronin is seeking reappointment as chairman of Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The result shows John, the previous council's chairman, as the most popular candidate from the Tauranga constituency from which four people are elected.

He returned 17,543 votes, ahead of also elected: Philip Sherry with 15,411 votes, Douglas Owens with 12,469 votes and Paula Thompson with 12,352 votes.

Douglas and Paula replace Andrew Von Dadelszen and Karen Summerhayes for the Tauranga constituency after they were ousted with 11,506 votes and 12,247 votes respectively.

While the loss of Andrew and Karen was a surprise for John, 'it's too bad some councillors are gone, but that's the way of the electors,” he says that there is cause for optimism with Paula and Douglas aboard.

'Looking at the elected members we have some exciting new talent coming through.

'There is some expertise coming through in economic development with Doug Owens coming in and Paula Thompson also is an expert in administration and organisation.”

He is also optimistic about the election of Lyall Thurston as a new councillor representing Rotorua.

John says he is seeking reappointment as council chairman when the councillors are sworn in at the group's first meeting next Thursday.

He would not comment on whether he felt there was a strong competitor for the position, but did say he expected opposition.

'There are always councillors that wish to do the job – it is a privilege to do it.”

John's emphatic vote margin in the election is pleasing for him, particularly when compared to the success of Stuart Crosby in the Tauranga City Mayoralty race.

'I took it as a vote of confidence and to get just a few votes less than the mayor of Tauranga is rewarding,” says John.

Both Stuart and John campaigned on a platform of ‘proven leadership' and used this slogan. While their votes received were similar (Stuart: 17,566 preliminary result and John: 17,543 final result), John laughs at suggestion the two worked together saying,

'There was no collusion or discussion on this.”

Final Bay of Plenty Regional Council election results in full:

Eastern Bay of Plenty General Constituency – Two Vacancies
Candidates Number of votes
MANSELL Jim 7627
WHITAKER Malcolm 5021
HOLMES Colin 4133
CLARK Bill 4067
FORD Robin 2560
INFORMAL 34
BLANK 740

Jim Mansell and Malcolm Whitaker are declared elected.

Rotorua General Constituency – Two Vacancies
Candidates Number of votes
THURSTON Lyall 9090
OPPATT Neil 7415
BENTLEY Peter 7221
GILLIONS Aaron 2737
INFORMAL 11
BLANK 794

Lyall Thurston and Neil Oppatt are declared elected.

Tauranga General Constituency – Four Vacancies
Candidates Number of votes
CRONIN John Proven Leadership 17,543
SHERRY Philip Independent 15,411
OWENS Douglas Tauranga Man 12,469
THOMPSON Paula 12,352
SUMMERHAYS Karen 12,247
VON DADELSZEN Andrew 11,506
DILLON Mary 10,485
WILLOUGHBY Alan Independent 6,250
VAN DER BEEK Jeroen 5,022
INFORMAL 39
BLANK 2,186

John Cronin, Philip Sherry, Douglas Owens and Paula Thompson are declared elected.

Western Bay of Plenty General Constituency – Two Vacancies
Candidates Number of votes
NEES Jane 6339
NOBLE Ian 4848
BRUNING Norm 4409
SHORT Tim Environmental Health is Wealth 2940
INFORMAL 36
BLANK 747

Jane Nees and Ian Noble are declared elected.

Kohi Maori Constituency – One Vacancy
Candidates Number of votes
MARR Tiipene Stephen Perenara 1774
ARAROA Miro 899
HOHAPATA-OKE Phillip John 874
INFORMAL 23
BLANK 218

Tiipene Stephen Perenara Marr is declared elected.

Mauao Maori Constituency – One Vacancy
Candidates Number of votes
BENNETT Raewyn Tangata whenua 1800
PATERSON Andre 418
INFORMAL 2
BLANK 184

Raewyn Bennett is declared elected.

Okurei Maori Constituency – One Vacancy
Candidates Number of votes
ERU Tai 619
MIHINUI Roku 605
TAHANA Joe 447
POTAKA-DEWES Kiri Independent 331
BERRYMAN-KAMP Eugene 289
MEHA Morris Apiata 244
WEPA Matt 225
GOLDSMITH James 140
INFORMAL 78
BLANK 97

Tai Eru is declared elected.