28 Oct 2016

Recount reduces Hamilton mayor's margin to six votes

6:28 pm on 28 October 2016

A recount has confirmed Andrew King will be the new Mayor of Hamilton but his razor-edge margin has narrowed to just six votes.

Paula Southgate, left, will request a recount after being beaten to the Hamilton mayoralty by 9 votes by Andrew King, left.

Paula Southgate, left, will request a recount after being beaten to the Hamilton mayoralty by 9 votes by Andrew King, left. Photo: Supplied

Last week Mr King was declared the winner by a margin of just nine votes, but a recount now has him winning by six votes over Paula Southgate.

Ms Southgate had requested the recount because of the close margin.

The recount was supervised by a District Court judge earlier today.

Mr King takes over from Julie Hardaker, who served two terms as mayor of Hamilton. In March, she announced she would not contest this year's election.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs