Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has been returned for a sixth term saying he is pleased to be able to continue building a 21st-century city.
But he says his win over former MP John Tamihere on his home turf was achieved after a "really hard" campaign with meetings, doorknocking, posters and phone reminders for people to vote. "I've run my job too and most nights I've got home at 1am."
He said he had one regret about the campaign. "I was sad to see how little people understood local government.
"Local government has failed to communicate the realities of what we do. We failed to get them inspired by how important we are in the lives of the community.
"A small group of camp followers understand but the majority of people either don't care or are too busy with their lives to care."
Mr Tamihere said he congratulated Mr Harvey.
"I've done a lot better than Willie Jackson who's not returning any calls," he said of Manukau mayoral candidate and his co-host on Radio Live.
He said he was pleased to receive the 13,723 votes running against someone as well known and connected as Mr Harvey.
He said he would continue his role as head of the West Auckland urban Maori authority, Waipareira Trust, and with his Radio Live show and his legal consultancy.
