Close QLDC seat swings as final results revealed

Final results of the 2025 Queenstown Lakes District Council elections have been announced and a previously close seat has changed hands.

In preliminary results Yeverly McCarthy held at 18-vote lead on Cody Tucker for the last available seat representing the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward.

With results now finalised, Tucker has secured the seat by a 34-vote margin. Both McCarthy and Craig Gasson have the same number of votes - 2005.

John Glover is confirmed as elected mayor with 4599 votes ahead of Glyn Lewers (3244 votes), Nik Kiddle (2108 votes), Darren Rewi (1671 votes), Al Angus (874 votes), and Daniel Shand (125 votes). 

Representing the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward will be Heath Copland (1927 votes), Melissa White (1730 votes) and “Q” (Samuel) Belk (1703 votes). 

In Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward, Matt Wong (2287 votes), Gavin Bartlett (2002 votes), Stephen Brent (1924 votes), and Jon Mitchell (1689 votes) were elected.  

In Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward, Nicola King (3610 votes), Quentin Smith (3394 votes), Niki Gladding (2863 votes), and Cody Tucker (2039 votes) were elected. 

In Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board, Simon Telfer (3967 votes), Kathy Dedo (3803 votes), John Wellington (2900 votes) and Chris Hadfield (2235 votes) were elected. 

McCarthy was not available for comment this afternoon, but previously said she had been disappointed in the process. She was told on Saturday she had secured the seat with an “unassailable lead”.

"Then I got a phone call yesterday [Tuesday] after I had been to a meeting with councillors and the mayor to tell me that I was in this position.

"I feel very sorry the way it has turned out because it's put both Cody and I in a position where we shouldn't have been put really," she said.

Tucker was also not available but previously said it had "been a lot to process" but he would be happy with whatever result came.

The final voter return was 41.16%, being 12,927 votes.