Tania Tapsell is leading the Rotorua mayoralty race with about 90 per cent of the returned votes counted so far.

Tania, with 6254 votes is nearly 3000 votes ahead of her nearest rival Fletcher Tabuteau who has 3392 votes..

Rotorua Lakes Council Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp has released a progress result for the 2022 triennial elections held on Saturday October 8.

This result is based upon the counting of approximately 90 per cent of the returned votes.

The progress result does not include some special votes and votes returned today that are still in transit to the processing centre.

The outcome of these elections may change once all votes have been counted.

Mayoralty Votes Received:
TAPSELL, Tania 6,254
TABUTEAU, Fletcher Independent 3,392
SANDFORD, Ben Independent 3,269
MACPHERSON, Reynold Rotorua District Residents & Ratepayers 3,053
KUMAR, Raj 3,018
SEARS, Rania 316
ANANDA, Kalaadevi Fresh Eyes Fresh Approach 239
INFORMAL 29
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 171

Rotorua Rural Ward (1 vacancy) Votes Received:
BARKER, Karen Community Focused Leadership 1,315
TRUMPER, Shirley Your Independent Rural Voice of Choice 698
INFORMAL 0
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 73

Rotorua General Ward (6 vacancies) Votes Received:
KAI FONG, Sandra 6,985
WANG, Fisher Independent 6,864
BROWN, Gregg 5,732
LEE, Robert Rotorua District Residents & Ratepayers 4,754
PATERSON, Don Saving Rotorua 4,405
O'BRIEN, Conan Independent 4,339
RAUKAWA-TAIT, Merepeka 4,074
GRAY, Ryan I think. I listen. I act 3,936
DAVIS, Brendan Rotorua District Residents & Ratepayers 3,727
HOSKING, Trish Independent 3,671
PINDER, Steve 3,412
CHATER, Nick 3,410
CHETTY, John Rotorua District Residents & Ratepayers 2,973
YATES, Mercia 2,895
SPARKE, Kaya 2,596
TE KOWHAI, Rawiri Rotorua District Residents & Ratepayers 2,555
TUAKANA-JONES, Grace Independent 2,065
BLACK, Kariana 2,004
SEARS, Rania 1,668

INFORMAL 37

BLANK VOTING PAPERS 182

Rotorua Māori Ward (3 vacancies) Votes Received:
KEREOPA, Lani 1,776
MAXWELL, Trevor Horowaewae 1,542
WARU, Rawiri 1,446
BIASINY-TULE, Potaua 1,299
TAPIATA, Hana 1,271
HATARAKA, William 413
INFORMAL 1
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 164

The voter return was 42.61 per cent, being 21,020 votes, excluding votes in transit to the processing centre and special vote