"I am proud of those achievements. I was voted in as mayor in 2010 under a campaign for change and I have delivered that; with the finances, with the way the council goes about its business and with restoring confidence in Hamilton's future."
Ms Hardaker will return to her law career. Prior to joining council she was a partner at Hamilton firm McCaw Lewis Chapman.
She believed she had made her mark on the city by implementing a River Plan which she said would finally open the city up to the river after 30 years of failed attempts.
Ms Hardaker said the highlights of her career including addressing council's debts, two royal visits, Hamilton Gardens winning the best garden in 2014 and hosting the rugby and cricket World Cups.