King wins by nine votes

NewstalkZB reports:

Andrew King has been elected as Hamilton’s new Mayor by a margin of just 9.

He edged out Paula Southgate for the top job.

The results come days after the two candidates have been waiting since Saturday to find out who will be the city’s next Mayor. Before special votes were counted Andrew King held the lead by just 14 votes.

Today’s official results include all valid special votes.

Mr King got 8728 votes to Ms Southgate’s 8719.

Mr King said he was so excited by the result that he nearly cried.

“It’s exciting. I nearly cried – but I didn’t. But yeah, it’s pretty cool. I really wasn’t hanging my hat on it. It could have gone either way.”

I’d be surprised if the recount changes things as there are so many fewer special votes at local body level.