The one-term mayor sought re-election and finished fourth, but will return to the Dunedin City Council as a councillor.
"It’s all cleared out now, ready for the incoming mayor, which is not going to be me," Mr Radich said yesterday afternoon.
At that stage, it was not clear who would be replacing him, Sophie Barker or Andrew Simms, as progress results showed a tight race.
Cr Barker had a narrow lead after about 85% of the votes had been counted.
Mr Radich reflected briefly on the nature of democracy.
"It’s what happens and, you know, it’s happened for me — now it’s happening to me."
Highlights from the past term included construction of the city’s new hospital getting back on track, he said.
"There’s a whole bunch of people that don’t credit me with doing anything there, but my part in that was quite significant."
Mr Radich said he had contributed "influential diplomacy".
Establishing the path ahead for delivery of water services was another highlight, he said.
The council had also pushed on with deciding to build a landfill at Smooth Hill.
"Whether that changes remains to be seen, but that’ll be something that will be discussed, I’m sure, with the incoming council."
Mr Radich said yesterday he had not really had time to think about where he had lost public support.
He had expected to fare better in the mayoral race.
One significant negative moment from the term was an ill-considered radio interview, in which Mr Radich minimised an incident of racism by a community board chairman.
Mr Radich was found to have breached the council’s code of conduct.
Detractors also found his advocacy for the hospital unconvincing.
Before becoming mayor, Mr Radich had one term as a councillor — a position to which he would now return.
He retained a position at the table convincingly, finishing third on the list of councillors elected.
"I’ve still got lots of things to get done for Dunedin, so I’m very focused on that and really looking forward to it, actually," Mr Radich said.
Returning to a campaign theme, Mr Radich wanted the city to "retain the brains we train".
"The economic future of Dunedin is at stake."
He wanted wastewater overflow problems in Surrey St to be dealt with and to "get the pipes and pumps plan sorted for South Dunedin as a catchment".
