Increased vote count strengthens Pacific representation in Tāmaki Makaurau

Thousands of additional votes have been counted in the Auckland local elections, affecting the outcomes of several closely contested local board races.

The shift has solidified Pacific representation across South Auckland and nudged voter turnout to 28.8 per cent.

Auckland Council confirmed that more than 68,500 votes were processed on Saturday morning. Preliminary results are continuing to stabilise ahead of the final count this Friday, when special votes are expected to be validated.

Between the progress results on October 11 and the preliminary count on October 13, Auckland’s Pacific councillors not only maintained their positions but also expanded their margins, reflecting the robust leadership of South and West Auckland’s diverse communities.

Pasifika councillors update

Labour incumbents Alf Filipaina and Lotu Fuli comfortably retained their seats in the Manukau Ward, extending their leads since the weekend. Filipaina’s vote count increased from 10,826 to 13,184, while Fuli’s rose from 9611 to 11,952. Manukau is the only Auckland ward represented by two Pasifika councillors: Filipaina, who is Māori and Sāmoan, and Fuli, who is Sāmoan.

Josephine Bartley, the first Pacific woman elected to Auckland Council, widened her lead by securing 7638 votes, up from 6117 on Saturday. She was first elected in 2018 after winning the seat left vacant when former councillor Denise Lee resigned after being elected to Parliament.

Councillors Victoria Short, Lotu Fuli, Alf Filipaina and Josephine Bartley, all confirmed in Auckland’s preliminary election results. Photo/Auckland Council/Victoria Short - Albany Ward Candidate Facebook

In North Auckland, Victoria Short (Fix Auckland) strengthened her position in the Albany Ward, increasing from 14,577 to 16,188 votes. She and incumbent John Watson remain the leading councillors, while Wayne Walker narrowly missed out, despite a late surge. Short’s result confirms her status as one of several newcomers joining the governing body as it prepares for Friday’s final count.

Pacific success in South Auckland local boards

Labour achieved a clean sweep in both the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board and the Ōtara subdivision of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu continues to be Auckland’s most Pacific-majority board, with all seven Labour candidates elected.

Harry Fatu Toleafoa led with 8558 votes, followed by Joe Glassie-Rasmussen (7922), Christine O’Brien (6980), Talei Solomon-Mua (6968), Makalita Kolo (6800), Kaea Inoke-Togiamua (6653), and Fe’etau Peo (6454). Each of these candidates gained around 1000 additional votes since Saturday, reinforcing Māngere’s reputation as a Pasifika stronghold.

The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board was re-elected with one new member, Talei Solomon-Mua, joining returning representatives following outgoing chair Tauanuʻu Nick Bakulich’s decision not to seek re-election. Photo/Auckland Council

In Ōtara, Labour’s Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Li’amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara, and Topou Folau solidified their leads, confirming a full Pacific sweep. Autagavaia topped the poll with 2984 votes, followed by Kaisara (2627), and Folau (2199).

The Papatoetoe-Ōtara Action Team retained control in the Papatoetoe subdivision, with four new members elected to the local board.

In Manurewa, the Manurewa Action Team held all eight seats, with Italia Tipelu-Marsters increasing her total to 6571 votes. Further south in Papakura, Felicity Auva’a (Papakura Action Team) was comfortably re-elected with 5228 votes, an increase of nearly 1000 from the earlier count.

Auckland’s voter turnout has climbed to 28.8 per cent after more than 68,500 additional votes were processed in the preliminary count. Photo/Auckland Council

In Henderson-Massey, Oscar Kightley (Labour) retained his local board seat with 8781 votes and remains the only Pasifika representative on his board. In the Whau Local Board race, Labour’s Fasitua Amosa led the field with 7365 votes, one of the few Pasifika incumbents to maintain a top position. Newcomer Fania Kapao, a Sāmoan-Cook Islands union organiser and youth advocate, finished in fifth place with 5996 votes.

Additional confirmed Pasifika representation

In the Albert-Eden (Ōwairaka Subdivision), Jacqui Tay (City Vision) was elected with 5589 votes, up from 4219 on Saturday. In the Franklin Local Board, Lesieli Oliver (Team Franklin) secured 3880 votes, confirming her seat. In Kaipātiki, Janet Tupou (Shore Action) was elected with 8388 votes, a major increase from 6383 in the earlier count.

In Maungakiekie–Tāmaki (Tāmaki Subdivision), Labour claimed three of the four seats. Nerissa Henry topped the poll with 3378 votes, followed by Maria Meredith with 2935, Dianna Fuka, who claimed the final spot with 2423 votes.

Council response

Council’s General Manager of Governance and Engagement, Lou-Ann Ballantyne, said the surge in last-minute ballots underscores the importance of every vote.

“As you’ll see from these results, every single vote counts,” she said. “And the story continues as we look forward to confirming the final results for Tāmaki Makaurau once special votes have been validated and counted.”

While the overall result remains unchanged, with Mayor Wayne Brown re-elected on 177,954 votes ahead of Kerrin Leoni’s 75,441, several local board races have flipped overnight, revealing how tight margins can shape local democracy.

Once final results are confirmed on Friday, Auckland Council will welcome a new governing body for the next three years. Photo/Auckland Council

Ballantyne acknowledged the candidates whose positions changed as votes were finalised, saying, “We are updating candidates who have been affected by these changes, with more news to come. Successful or not, I’d like to thank all candidates for putting their best foot forward and stepping up for Tāmaki Makaurau.”

Final results to be announced on Friday

The final declaration of results, including the validation of special votes, will confirm the official makeup of Auckland’s new council and 21 local boards.

To view the full list of preliminary results, please visit Vote Auckland. Auckland is now waiting confirmation of who will represent its communities over the next three years.

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