There were mixed reactions from Wanganui's four losing mayoral candidates.
Soon-to-be former deputy mayor and second placegetter Dot McKinnon is now in the political wilderness, after losing to Annette Main by 219 votes.
She did not seek a position on Wanganui District Council, and she sold her business to campaign for the mayoralty.
She and her husband, Richard Moore, and supporters held a "wake" at the Kingsgate Hotel on Saturday afternoon. She told the Wanganui Chronicle she was disappointed.
"A lot of people put their faith in me, and I'm sorry for letting them down. But that's how democracy works.
"I thought it would be close, but I was never complacent about the result."
Ms McKinnon said her diary now has an "open plan" look about it, and she will take a holiday before deciding her next move.
She said it was far too soon to think about whether she would stand again in three years.
Third-placed Ray Stevens said while he was disappointed to be unsuccessful, he was happy to be top-placed councillor and to be voted on to the Whanganui District Health Board.
Mr Stevens congratulated Ms Main on "a campaign well done". He said he was looking forward to working with her.
"She will be good for Wanganui - and it's a girl's turn for the top job now."
Mr Stevens said he would definitely run for the mayoralty again in three years.
Fourth-placed candidate Philippa Baker-Hogan was also returned as a councillor and district health board member.
She said she was disappointed at her low polling for the mayoralty but said she was not surprised "when there were two strong female candidates like Annette and Dot".
She said Ms Main was a "good change" for Wanganui and she was looking forward to working with her.
"Now we have a truly independent council."
The fifth-placed candidate, Jango, could not be contacted for comment.
A sixth candidate, Jevan Goulter, pulled out of the mayoral race in mid-September.
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