Close mayoral races in 2025 local elections

The story so far

Jacquie Grant led incumbent Helen Lash by four votes in the Westland mayoral race in mid-October 2025, with special votes still being counted.^{13 Oct 2025} Preliminary counts for the local government elections showed several mayoral races decided by fewer than five votes.^{13 Oct 2025} Preliminary results had initially shown Grant ahead, but the final count gave Lash the mayoralty with 1,609 votes to Grant's 1,601.^{16 Oct 2025} Lash's eight-vote win was reported alongside several other mayoral races decided by five votes or fewer.^{17 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 13 Oct 2025Grant leads Lash by four votes; special votes still uncounted.
2. 13 Oct 2025Preliminary counts show several mayoral races decided by under five votes.
3. 16 Oct 2025Final count reverses early lead; Lash wins 1,609 to 1,601.
4. 17 Oct 2025Several mayoral races across New Zealand decided by five votes or fewer.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.