The father of three got nearly double the votes (10,335) of his only opponent, Timaru Hospital director of orthopaedic surgery Steve Earnshaw (5799).
Former mayor Janie Annear did not stand in the election.
In the Timaru ward, first-time candidate Steve Wills received the most votes - 8442.
He will be joined by new councillors Peter Burt and Tony Brien and incumbents Mr Earnshaw, Dave Jack and Tracy Tierney.
Sitting councillors for the Pleasant Point-Temuka ward Richard Lyon and Pat Mulvey have won another term with 2253 and 2021 respectively.
The Geraldine ward will be represented by Kerry Stevens, who was elected unopposed.
Timaru District electoral officer Mark Low said 49.53% of the voting papers, or 16,696, excluding voting papers in transit to the processing centre and special votes, had been returned.
