Penny Webster has won the mayoralty race in the Rodney district, north of Auckland.
The former Act MP from northern Rodney will takes over after John Law's retirement.
Mrs Webster said she campaigned on a "vision for Rodney" that is largely built around economic growth for the fast
growing region.
While some candidates, particularly from the ward covering the populous Orewa and Whangaparaoa peninsula, campaigned on high-rise and the proposed toll link known as Penlink, Mrs Webster said "I didn't get into specific issues".
She said she has worked hard in the north and although not everyone has agreed with every decision she made, the north knows her and trusts her.
"Rodney is a fast growing area. In some ways it is misunderstood by people outside of Rodney," Mrs Webster said.
She said Rodney faces issues of growth and high rise but the new-look council will be "really exciting".
"I think it's going to be very positive. I'm delighted with the team I've been given," Mrs Webster said.
She said some councillors have approached issues with closed minds in the past.
"We have to approach every issue on it's merits and that's what is going to happen," she said.
Councillor Wayne Walker was the runner-up in the mayoralty race, nearly 2000 votes behind Mrs Webster after 95 per cent of the votes had been counted last night.
Mr Walker said working with the new council was "going to be difficult".
"In some ways we've lifted the game and dropped in others. I don't know how we're going to get on top of the financial issues and the problems in the community's infrastructure," Mr Walker said.
During the last term of council, several councillors lodged code of conduct complaints against each other.
The new-look council has five new faces on it, including 22 year-old Michael Goudie while councillor Dave Steele, who had represented Rodney people for 33 years, was voted out.
