Pamela Peters was philosophical about her roughly 3000-vote majority in 2004 turning into a 6054-vote loss to rival Stan Semenoff in the Whangarei mayoral election.
"That's democracy," she said.
Mrs Peters spent yesterday morning having brunch with her family at the beach before The Northern Advocate caught up with her.
She said she
was "of course" disappointed with the result and the magnitude of her defeat.
"I have given so much heart to Whangarei for the past 12 years (on the council)," Mrs Peters said.
"I believe the district is in a lot better position than when I started way back then (1995).
"For me now it's a new chapter and I've got to move on to other opportunities for the future, so I've got mixed feelings (about the heavy loss).
"I wasn't expecting that result, but that's part of democracy and politics and I accept that that's how the people have voted."
Mrs Peters felt rising rates - Whangarei's have gone up by more then a third on average during her term - was an issue that cost her, but it was something faced by most councils across the country.
"The burden on ratepayers is an issue," she said.
"When you are having to put essential infrastructure into a community and trying to keep the rating burden as low as possible it's hard, but the costs of growing are still there."
Mrs Peters was proud of the achievements of the council in the past three years.
She was sad that councillors John Williamson and Ann Shaw were voted out as both had made strong contributions in their first terms.
:Also congratulations to those that did make it back in and those starting their service. I wish Whangarei well for the future,: she said.
Mrs Peters also paid tribute to the "wonderful" council staff.
"I'm very proud of the council we had and the support (Deputy Mayor) Phil Halse gave me throughout, and the staff have done a brilliant job in the last three years."
Mrs Peters planned to spend a few days contemplating and cleaning out her council desk before looking at other opportunities.
