Four new councillors were elected to represent the Queenstown-Wakatipu ward in Saturday's local body elections.
Broadcaster Craig Ferguson was the highest-polling new councillor with 2530 votes, behind returning councillor Cath Gilmour with 2966 votes.
Mr Ferguson told the Otago Daily Times on Saturday night he was ''pretty honoured'' and ''blown away'' to be the highest-polling new councillor.
''There really is no greater honour than to be selected by your community to be a representative for them.
''I knew I'd stand a chance ... I'd like to think that [the number of votes] is more about the work I've done in the community than my job [as a broadcaster].''
The ''apprenticeship'' he'd done in the past 25 years in the Wakatipu community would hopefully serve him well in his new role, Mr Ferguson said.
Communications and sustainability adviser Alexa Forbes (53), a former director of Southern PR, was also elected with 2199 votes, along with 56-year-old community support worker Merv Aoake, with 1623 votes.
Ms Forbes said while she was delighted to have been elected, she was disappointed with the level of voter turnout.
A total of 8463 voting papers were returned, representing 44.9% of those sent out.
In 2010 50% of voting papers were returned, and 49% were returned in 2011.
''We really have to engage people in local body politics - that's going to be a national issue, as well as a local one.
''Wanaka had a high turnout and that ... changed the face of their representation.
''I think that's really interesting.''
She was ''excited'' about being part of the council and looking forward to the challenges ahead, Ms Forbes said.
Mr Aoake said he was happy and excited but also slightly apprehensive after Saturday's results.
''There is so much one wants to do ... but one has to understand the animal first.''
He also had concerns about the low voter turnout and congratulated those who took the time to vote.
However, there needed to be ''questions asked'' about the majority of residents and ratepayers, who did not exercise their democratic right, he said.
Other returning councillors are Mel Gazzard (68) with 1686 votes and Simon Stamers-Smith (71), who received 1578 votes.
The only councillor unsuccessful in his bid for re-election was Trevor Tattersfield (72), elected in 2010.