Mayors across the south were given a vote of confidence by their constituencies as only two new mayors were elected in Otago and Southland's eight territorial authorities.
Oamaru businessman Gary Kircher was elected as Waitaki Mayor, while holiday park owner Gary Tong was elected as Southland Mayor.
Two news faces will sit at the Otago Regional Council and Environment Southland will welcome one new councillor.
Despite the lack of change, there was still reason for those in the rural sector to be optimistic about the new members who had been elected, Federated Farmers Otago president Stephen Korteweg said.
The election of Mike Lord in the Mosgiel Taieri ward of the Dunedin City Council gave rural representation on the DCC, Mr Korteweg said.
''Anytime we can get a bit more balance on council from the rural sector, we ... hope that we are more likely to be heard,'' Mr Korteweg said.
He hoped Otago's councils would take a ''progressive, but sustainable'' approach to policy in the coming term, especially those policies which would effect those in the rural sector.
''It shows Southlanders want some new blood,'' Mr MacPherson said.
He said Federated Farmers Southland would continue lobbying in this term to have the number of councillors at Environment Southland reduced from 12 to six.
''We have got low voter turnout and people aren't really interested in local body politics and maybe it's time for a bit of a revamp,'' Mr MacPherson said.
He would like to see a smaller number of councillors paid twice the wage, so potential candidates were not just ''those with the biggest cheque book''.
Mr MacPherson and Mr Korteweg were disappointed by the low voter turnout.
Mr Korteweg said it was ''discouraging''.
''But on the other side, there have been some changes and that's encouraging.''