Unsuccessful Wellington mayoral candidate Paul Eagle says his centrist campaign foundered because votes split along party lines, while outgoing mayor Andy Foster leaves after 30 years at the council table.
Green Party affiliated Tory Whanau won the chains easily, with preliminary results putting her 16,000 votes ahead of her nearest rival the sitting mayor Andy Foster, and far ahead of Eagle in fourth who got 10,000 votes.
First-time contender Ray Chung clinched a healthy third place and was elected to the Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward.
Eagle said Wellington has spoken but he remained the MP for Rongotai.
He said he would not stand down, and had not made any decisions about his future yet.
"We've got [Parliament] recess at the moment, and I've talked to the prime minister and deputy prime minister and I'll look when I get back to Parliament that will give me a good week to think about things."
He would talk to the party, his family and supporters before deciding if he would run again for the seat, he said.
Foster bows out after 30 years in local politics
Wellington's former mayor Andy Foster leaves local politics after three decades at the city council.
Foster said he loved his time on council and had to deal with a number of significant challenges as mayor including ageing pipe infrastructure, the Covid pandemic, and the Parliament protests.
He said he was proud of the council response that saw the city come out the other side in good shape.
Wellington had transformed from a grey public service city to one that had been recognised as one of the best places to live during his time at the council, Foster said.
"I am particularly proud of the transformation of our natural environment.
"We've gone from an environmental desert to the world leader in environmental restoration and biodiversity.
"We will also create a better city for our local businesses where they will be able to attract from all over, backed up by our awesome public transport system.
"Our walkable streets, our vibrant laneways, and of course where the living wage is the norm.
New Wellington mayor Tory Whanau speaks after winning the mayoral race. Photo / RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
"The future is bright, I feel it and I know you feel it too."
New councillors but left block likely controls new council
There are several new faces at the Wellington City Council table, but preliminary results show it appears to have retained its broadly left-wing majority.
Takapū/Northern Ward has three first-time councillors: Ben McNulty who is affiliated with the Labour Party, Tony Randle, an independent, and John Apanowicz, who owns a financial consultancy.
