As at 4.05pm Sophie Barker (12,782 votes) is the Mayor-elect with a margin of 105 votes over second placed candidate Andrew Simms (12,677 votes).
However, with more than 9000 votes still to count, results could yet change, the DCC said.
Based on the progress results, five incumbent councillors would miss out on re-election – Crs Andrew Whiley, Carmen Houlahan, Bill Acklin, Jim O’Malley and Kevin Gilbert.
The results would also see six new faces at the Council table – Andrew Simms, John Chambers, Russell Lund, Benedict Ong, Doug Hall and Bruce Ranga.
Long-serving Cr David Benson-Pope retired at the election.
Mr Whiley said the results were "extremely interesting" and he could not "make head or tail of what the community wanted based on who was elected".
"I thought I had a good shot of being back in council. I've worked hard, I've delivered . . . so to be just outside is sort of frustrating," he said.
"I sort of hang a little bit of hope that, you know, some votes may go my way today and something changes in the order. But if this is the end, I'm pretty happy and proud of what I've done over the last 12 years."
Mr Gilbert said he was disappointed not be re-elected but "ecstatic that Dunedin has chosen Sophie as their mayor".
He said he was surprised by quite a few of the councillor results.
"What's next immediately for me now is a rather large gin and tonic," he said.
"And then, yeah, I'll take a few days to kind of figure out where to from here."
Mr Acklin said today's results were "significant".
"There's obviously a desire for huge change from the voter."
He said he was disappointed not return to council.
"I thought that I was doing the right thing in terms of keeping rates as low as possible and holding back from spending huge capital expenditure on things that we could actually hold fire on," he said.
"Looking at the outcome in terms of the voter, it doesn't seem to be the case.
"I suppose standing for election is a bit like entering a talent quest. You either win or you lose."
He said he "had a few things in mind" for his next steps.
In a statement, Mrs Houlahan said it had been an absolute pleasure and privilege to serve two terms on the council.
"It’s also been a privilege to serve with out-going mayor Jules Radich and other councillors. My thoughts are with the other four councillors who also lost their seat around the table.
She wished Ms Barker well.
Dr O'Malley was unable to be reached for comment.
DCC deputy electoral officer Robyn Dillon said the results were "very tight".
"Dunedin, in its traditional way, left it until the last minute, but we received more than 9400 voting papers this morning.
Preliminary results had been expected to be available late this evening, but were now expected to be released on Sunday.
“Final results are expected by Thursday next week.”
Council - At Large (14 vacancies)
SIMMS Andrew (Future Dunedin) elected
VANDERVIS Lee (Independent) elected
RADICH Jules (Independent) elected
CHAMBERS John (Your Health Candidate) elected
LUND Russell (Independent) elected
LAUFISO Marie (Building Kotahitaka) elected
LUCAS Cherry (Independent) elected
WEATHERALL Brent elected
WALKER Steve (Labour) elected ONG Benedict elected
HALL Doug elected
GAREY Christine (Independent) elected
RANGA Bruce (Future Dunedin) elected
MAYHEM Mandy elected
TREADWELL Mickey (Green Party) excluded
WHILEY Andrew (Independent) excluded
HOULAHAN Carmen (Independent) excluded
STEDMAN Conrad (Future Dunedin) excluded
ACKLIN Bill (Independent) excluded
BRAZIL Rachel (Future Dunedin) excluded
ARONSON Lync (Independent-Fully Funded City Council) excluded
GALER Jo (Future Dunedin) excluded
TWEMLOW Rebecca (Bex) (Future Dunedin) excluded
POPE Paul (Independent) excluded
FINNIE Rose (Green Party) excluded
O'MALLEY Jim (Independent) excluded
MACFARLANE Lianna (Independent) excluded
SUTTON Andrew (Future Dunedin) excluded
HODSON Jarrod (Future Dunedin) excluded
KENNY Anthony (ACT Local: Real Change. Lower Rates.) excluded
KNIGHTS Richard (Independent) excluded
WARRING Lily (Green Party) excluded
DAVIE-NITIS Sarah (Independent) excluded
GILBERT Kevin (Independent) excluded
GROSHINSKI Jett (Labour) excluded
O'NEILL Hugh (Independent) excluded
BENNETT Tony excluded
MILNE David (Independent) excluded
TODD Sue (Independent) excluded
HAMLIN Robert (Independent) excluded
WILLIAMS Paul excluded
CEBULLA-ELDER Heike excluded
TAYLOR Pamela (Independent) excluded
TAYLOR Amy (Future Dunedin) excluded
AKERS Lachlan excluded
ROONEY Daniel excluded
OLSEN Jen (The Radical Action Faction) excluded
KNIGHT Anna (Building Kotahitaka) excluded
POOLE Marian excluded
ELDER Cyndee (Building Kotahitaka) excluded
ROBERTSON Evelyn (Independent) excluded
JOHNSON Marita (Independent) excluded
HART Karl excluded
BARKER Sophie (Independent - working for you) * Withdrawn
