Watch NZH Local Focus: McDouall cruises to Whanganui mayoralty

Zaryd Wilson

Hamish McDouall is Whanganui's new mayor winning almost 40 per cent of the vote, nearly the twice the number of his nearest rival.

Mr McDouall has had two terms on council - one as deputy mayor - and was publicly endorsed by the outgoing Annette Main.

"Being deputy's allowed me to see how a mayor works, what the realities are and of time pressure decisions. So absolutely I think particularly Annette's endorsement reassured the community - now I've just got to meet those expectations," he said.

He said the priority of his mayoralty would be rates affordability.

"The whole election's been about the affordability of rates going forward and so that's got to be our main focus," he said.

"Not on any specific project but the affordability of rates. It worries me. Every territorial authority should be worried about that but particularly Whanganui.

"We've got a small growing population to fund quite major infrastructure. The way we are rating is done as well - they're key priorities."

Mr McDouall, who has been a Labour Party candidate in previous general elections, said he was now committed to local body politics.

"The reason I decided to commit to local government a few years ago was because of my kids.

"They're seven and nine and we'll just see how they grow up. I couldn't imagine being away from them three nights a week, so I'm in Whanganui for the medium term."

More than half of eligible Whanganui voters had their say and Mr McDouall will be leading a radically new council with seven new people coming on to the twelve-member council.