He beat challenger Bevin Watt 3150 votes to 2045.
"It’s been an interesting contest and I’m relieved to be back where I am," Mr Hicks said.
This will be Mr Hicks’ fifth term as mayor since first being elected for the role in 2004.
The Gore council had a change around with the election.
Glenys Dickson (1864) and Reid Bronwyn (1749) were elected as new faces to the Gore ward while Doug Grant (2233), Bret Highsted (1879) and Ralph Beale (1822) return.
Anne Gover (1109) and Graham Page (1145) were not re-elected.
Mr Hicks said it would be sad to see some of the former councillors go but the "new blood" on the team looked focused and "rearing to go".
"We’ve got a good team around the table and we’re certainly energised to get into it and get it done."
Cliff Bolger, Nicola Davis, Peter Grant, John Gardyne and Graham Sharp were all elected to the council unopposed.
Neville Phillips (305) was elected to the Mataura ward of the council.
Alan Taylor, Linda Sinclair, Geoff Colvin and Greg Chaffey were elected unopposed to the Mataura Community Board.
Mr Hicks said the council had many challenges to face in the next three years, mainly with the development of infrastructure and economic viability.
The focus on infrastructure was the biggest project the council has had to face for generations.
He also said it was important to try attract to more young families and people to the area in order to encourage economic growth.
"We need to be thinking about what tomorrow brings."
He hoped the council would be able to change the profile of the district so it was more attractive for people to move to the area.
