With approximately 85 percent of returned votes counted, Central Otago voters are beginning to see who will be sitting around the council table alongside elected mayor Tamah Alley.

While official confirmation is still to come, the early figures give a clear picture of the likely make-up of the next Central Otago District Council.

Tamah, who earlier this afternoon declared victory in the mayoral race, will lead a council shaped by both returning experience and fresh representation from across the district’s four wards.

In the Vincent ward, there are new faces, unseating incumbents.

Lynley Claridge, Ian Cooney, Martin McPherson and Tracy Paterson were all vying to hold their seats amid strong competition.

Both Tracy and Martin have retained their places, with newcomers engineer Nathan McLean and business manager Dave McKenzie joining them.

At this stage, former council senior staffer Louise van der Voort has missed out on a seat by close to 40 votes, as has Jayden Cromb, who had chaired the Vincent Community Board.

In the Cromwell ward several familiar names return, with incumbent councillors Sarah Browne and Cheryl Laws securing spots, alongside two first-term councillors - unsuccessful mayoral contender Charlie Sanders and one-term Cromwell Community Board member Bob Scott.

In the Maniototo ward, where only one council seat was up for grabs, there is approximately 200 votes between incumbent Stu Duncan and challenger Michelle Bisset. Stu has held his seat.

Over in the Teviot Valley ward, where there were no incumbents standing, the contest came down to unsuccessful mayoral hopeful Mark Quinn and community board member Curtis Pannett - with Curtis securing the role.

In a statement the mayor promised to lead "one team for Central Otago" that would be "listening first, deciding wisely, and delivering fairly”.

The four Central Otago community boards have all also had a representation shake-up.

Cromwell Community Board will be represented by Anna Harrison, Rebecca Anderson, Wally Sanford, and Mike Casey.

For the Vincent Community Board, the successful candidates are Karla Sanders, Jim Moffitt, Jayden Cromb, and Tony Hammington.

The Teviot Valley Community Board will be made up of Hayden Smith, Becky Slade, Gill Booth, and Mark Jessop.

Finally, around the Maniototo Community Board table will be Logan Dowling, Duncan Helm, Becky McAuley, and Mark Harris.

Further firmed up results are expected to be released later this weekend, with official final results due no later than Thursday.

In a statement to social media, a Central Otago District spokesperson said things may change once all votes have been counted.

The numbers

Mayor

• Tamah Alley: 5,130 votes
• Charlie Sanders: 1,886 votes
• Mark Quinn 1,318

Vincent ward

• Tracy Paterson: 2,099
• Martin McPherson: 1,612
• Nathan McLean: 1,552
• Dave McKenzie: 1,380
• Louise van der Voort: 1,338
• Ian Cooney: 1,285
• Jayden Cromb: 1,191
• Lynley Claridge: 1,149
• Gill Booth: 729
• Cam Withington: 688
• Kas McEntyre: 410

Cromwell ward

• Cheryl Laws: 1,752
• Sarah Browne: 1,697
• Charlie Sanders: 1,381
• Bob Scott: 1,280
• Andrew Burns: 1,159
• Stephen Carruth: 972
• Gareth Noble: 863
• Terry Davis: 659
• Dave George: 337

Teviot Valley ward

• Curtis Pannett: 621
• Mark Quinn: 80

Maniototo ward

• Stu Duncan: 534
• Michelle Bisset: 330

Read more: Tamah Alley elected mayor