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

The progress results show 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.

McMillan has previously served nine years on the Methven Community Board before being elected to Council in 2016 and 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 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 with Richard Wilson returning for a second term and will be joined by Phill Everest.

The Methven Community Board was also elected unopposed, with incumbent board members Megan Fitzgerald, Richie Owen and Robin Jenkinson joined by new members Simon Wareing and Faye Barrand.

On the Braided Rivers Community Trust, the successful candidates look to be Gerard Rushton, Chantelle Quinn, Tim Silva, Mark  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).

By Jonathan Leask