All incumbents standing were returned to their seats in progress results, except Peter McDonald in the Hokonui constituency, with 1032 votes, who will be replaced by newcomer, Lochiel sheep and beef farmer David Rose.
Chairman Nicol Horrell (Western) and Invercargill-Rakiura incumbents Neville Cook and Robert Guyton all stood down this election.
Mr Horrell served 18 years on the council, the last nine as chairman; Mr Cook also served 18 years and Mr Guyton 12.
Mr Horrell will be replaced in his constituency by the unopposed Ewen Mathieson.
During campaigning Mr Rose said a lifetime of living and farming beside the Ōreti River had given him a "strong passion for the environment and serving my community".
He had served as co-chairman of Environment Southland’s Ōreti catchment liaison committee and had extensive governance experience elsewhere.
Invercargill-Rakiura incumbents Eric Roy (7391 votes), Lyndal Ludlow (6728), Maurice Rodway (6103) and Phil Morrison (4599) would be joined by newcomers Roger Hodson (4969) and Geoffrey Young (4735).
Mr Hodson comes from a background in environmental science and ski guiding.
He had worked in governance roles for the Guardians of Lakes Monowai, Manapouri and Te Anau, as well as the Southland Conservation Board.
Fourth-generation Cattle Flat farmer Mr Young was a director of Beef + Lamb NZ and the New Zealand Meat Board.
Incumbents returning unopposed elsewhere to make up the 12-seat council include Alastair Gibson and Jeremy McPhail (Eastern-Dome), Paul Evans (Fiordland) and Jon Pemberton (Southern).
Councillors will vote for a new chairperson during their first meeting of the new triennium.
