Standing for the Ahuriri ward, elected candidate Larry Dallimore's campaign was the most expensive of any candidate, costing him $4757.
An ardent campaigner for solving erosion issues at Westshore Beach, Mr Dallimore said he had been "in it to win it, so any money and time...was not a problem".
"It was going to be my one and only go, so I didn't want to regret not doing anything."
Although he was surprised to have spent the most, the Westshore resident said he was glad to have spent less than candidates for the Hawke's Bay Regional, and Hastings District Councils.
Mr Dallimore said the majority of his expenditure went toward advertising, with over $2000 on billboards. He had received a $75 credit from a distribution company, after an estimated 2000 of his flyers were destroyed in a bonfire on Marine Parade.
Although "traction" on council plans was slower than he had expected, he said he was enjoying his time on council so far.
Mr Dallimore's total was closely followed by re-elected councillor Richard McGrath, who spent $4614.
The most costly expenditure for the at-large councillor was for leaflets, of $2346, and leaflet delivery, of $1296.
Newly elected councillor at-large Claire Hague spent the third highest amount, with a campaign of $3827.
The only candidates to declare donations were unsuccessful Taradale candidate David Trim who declared a donation of $1000, and re-elected deputy mayor Faye White, who declared $2447 in donations from the McKimm family - founders of the Big Save furniture franchise.
Despite being elected unopposed, Onekawa/Tamatea councillor Annette Brosnan spent $665.
The second-term councillor said she had assumed there was going to be an election, so created campaign materials accordingly.
It was not until the day nominations closed she realised her opponent had switched wards.
Although her new billboards had only been up for two weeks, she said it was possible they could come in handy for the next election.