The Dunedin City Council was perceived to have taken a progressive ideology a bit far in the previous three years and it was accused of not listening attentively about matters such as the George St redevelopment.
Aaron Hawkins lost the mayoralty, and the centre-left bloc was no longer ascendant.
In 2025, it is not immediately obvious what Dunedin has just done.
Five councillors lost their jobs and Jules Radich lost the mayoralty decisively.
However, he received strong endorsement from voters to remain at the council table, as Cr Radich, while councillors of similar outlook were shown the door.
The council drifted in much the same direction under Mr Radich as it had been steered by Mr Hawkins.
A focus on infrastructure investment continued, or Mr Radich might say it intensified, and rates and debt were forced up while residents faced a cost-of-living crisis.
Many voters may well have expected change and, when they did not really get it, they turned on several councillors perceived as having failed to deliver.
Or they overlooked them, searching for newcomers who might be more convincing.
The most telling signal of voter restlessness was the election of the mysterious Benedict Ong as a councillor.
He had intriguing moments at candidate events, but his background in banking must have resonated with quite a large cohort of voters.
Andrew Simms was the top-polling candidate for council, and a close second in the mayoralty, but his Future Dunedin ticket has apparently not succeeded in bringing allies with him to the table.
It will be interesting to see how the new mayor, Sophie Barker, accommodates him in her administration. Ms Barker will be leading a council that has lost significant experience.
The long-serving David Benson-Pope retired and ousted councillors Jim O’Malley, Bill Acklin, Andrew Whiley and Carmen Houlahan had all served multiple terms, while Kevin Gilbert had just the one term.
The left bloc lost Mr Benson-Pope, but it gained Green Party candidate Mickey Treadwell.
New councillor Russell Lund can be expected to scrutinise council spending.
Dr John Chambers appears likely to have a steady hand and it remains to be seen where Doug Hall sits philosophically.
Uncertainty is always a theme just after an election.
Ms Barker dealt with one matter instantly, asking Cherry Lucas to continue as deputy mayor. It would have been some shock if the deputy mayoralty had gone to anybody else.
Always an interesting question is how high-polling veteran councillor Lee Vandervis is handled.
Cr Radich, the former mayor, will need a role.
A diverse council has been elected and managing some strong personalities will take skill by the mayor.
