Her campaign was based around her business experience, a vision to expand the region's primary sector, diversify into more knowledge-based industries, focus on the community, fix water issues and CBD parking, address housing problems and provide a vibrant city for people to live in.
Mrs Schollum said from talking to people during her campaign she found the main concern for the community was continued problems with water which she wanted to address.
"Also for me I really want to see vibrancy around our CBD. We need to seriously look at inner city living."
She expected voting to be close and knew she stood for strong values but was still surprised with her success.
"I couldn't stop smiling, I'm really excited," Mrs Schollum said. "I would like to say a huge thank you to the community, I won't let you down."
The first thing she did after finding out was pick her children up from school and kindergarten before going with them and her husband to her parents' house to celebrate.
"My son was thrilled when I sat him down and told him."
One thing that sets her apart is that she is in her 30s with young children which she feels is an under-represented life-stage within council.
"I understand the pressures that people at this stage are going through," she said.
Eileen Lawson had the next highest votes with 2949 but was unavailable for comment.
Candidate Bruce Bisset, who also missed out, said he was not surprised but was naturally disappointed.
"I thought it would be closer than that. I'll be assessing whether to run for the next by-election but have made no decision as yet."
Rizwaana Latiff said her loss would not stop her from doing all the community work she already did.
"Obviously the people of Hastings were not ready to have somebody like me. It is one of those things."
Another opponent, Jason Whaitiri, said he congratulated Mrs Schollum on her win.
"Any one of us could have got it but I thought Wendy would be the one to beat.
"I thought I ran a good campaign and it's more than likely I will run again in the next by-election, but I am still talking to my team and my family about that.
"This is the second time I have run for council - it's all about building a profile and I will continue to do that through my work with Nourished for Nil, my rugby refereeing, and going to meetings."
Waitawhara Tupaea said Mrs Schollum had a lot to offer and he believed she would be a good councillor.
However, he reiterated his concerns with the elections that they were not representing an entire cross-section of society.
"Maybe we have to think about different ways to be represented and how we can bring in new voices."
He was humbled by the number of votes he received and was considering running in the next by-election for Hastings-Havelock North Ward to replace newly elected mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.
"My modus operandi would be the same as coming into this election though, to spread the message that we need to change society and not divide people into economic units - we need to recognise that people have spirit and feelings."
Rion Roben was also unavailable for comment.
Hastings-Havelock North Ward preliminary results:
Wendy Schollum (3255)
Eileen Lawson (2949)
Bruce Bisset (2080)
Rizwaana Latiff (1892)
Jason Whaitiri (1368)
Waitawhara Tupaea (795)
Rion Roben (457)
Informal (15)
Blank voting papers (321)
