Liz McMillan is likely to be declared as the new Mayor of the Ashburton District, following the release of progress results in the 2025 local elections today.

Voting ceased at midday and the progress results show Ms McMillan with 5,472 votes, ahead of Russell Ellis on 1,828, Rob Mackle on 1,460 and Jeff Ryan on 809.

Progress results do not include votes received on Saturday morning or special votes. The final confirmed vote count is expected next week.

Liz McMillan has previously served nine years on the Methven Community Board before being elected to Council in 2016. She has been the district's deputy mayor for the last six years, under Neil Brown.

In the Ashburton Ward, incumbent councillors - Carolyn Cameron, Phill Hooper, Tony Todd and Russell Ellis look to be returning to Council and will be joined by a new face, Julie Moffett.

With Liz McMillan likely to take the top spot of Mayor, her Western Ward seat is relinquished meaning both other candidates, Deb Gilkison and Jeanette Maxwell secure seats around the Council table.

The Eastern Ward did not require an election, as the number of candidates matched available seats. Richard Wilson returns for a second term and will be joined by Phill Everest.

It was the same scenario for the Methven Community Board, where incumbent board members Megan Fitzgerald, Richie Owen and Robin Jenkinson and new members Simon Wareing and Faye Barrand, were all declared elected in August.

On the Braided Rivers Community Trust, nine candidates were competing to six spots. The successful candidates look to be Gerard Rushton, Chantelle Quinn, Tim Silva, Mark (Roasty) Douglas, Kerry Clough and Maddy Brown.

All candidates were contacted by council following the release of progress results. Those successfully elected will be sworn in to Council on 29 October.

The voter return for the election is sitting at 42.16 per cent, being 9,691 votes (not including votes received on Saturday or special votes remaining to be verified).

Above: New Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan

You can see the full candidate and vote tally at voteashburton.nz.

Local Election 2025 Progress Results

Last updated: 11 Oct 2025 1:21pm

Earlier Results: