Gore District has elected the youngest mayor in New Zealand history by less than 10 votes.
Ben Bell, 23, has ousted the incumbent mayor of the last 18 years, Tracy Hicks, after the counting of special votes.
He has held a narrow lead since the preliminary results were announced on Sunday evening.
The final tally was 2371 votes for Bell and 2363 votes for Hicks.
The mayor and councillors will be sworn in at a statutory meeting, scheduled for later this month.
Meanwhile, Lumsden businessman Rob Scott is the new mayor of the Southland District after the final count of special votes.
Ben Bell ousted the incumbent mayor Tracy Hicks Photo: Supplied / Facebook
He was ahead of Southland farmer Geoffrey Young by 39 votes, while incumbent Gary Tong was six votes further behind Young.
Scott said he was over the moon and humbled by the result.
He said he was looking forward to working with the councillors and the community boards to do Southland proud.
The voter return was 47 percent, excluding special votes.
Bell told Checkpoint his mother was in the room with others when he heard the news and that it was hugs all round.
He said it was a vote for change, and that voters were attracted by his 'back to basics' and avoiding 'flashy projects' message during his election campaign.
"It's fixing our rural roads, it's working on our water infrastructure. It's getting a recycling game going here and so nothing too exciting."
He said he felt a bit of wait of expectation, particularly being so young, but that he was reassured by the fact he had the support of colleagues and council staff.
"It still hasn't sunk in yet, but I've got 11 great people around the table that will help me every step of the way. So that's fantastic," he said.
Bell said his campaign engaged young people through social media, but that he had also canvassed senior citizens through the RSA and other organisations.
He wanted to strengthen a social cohesiveness during his time at the council's helm.
"I want to be a mayor that engages with the councillors and engages with the community. So we have a united front as a community and as a council that we're all heading in the same direction."
