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Dunedin Mayor-elect Aaron Hawkins' biggest competitors had very different reactions to his win, with one saying the city was in "safe hands" and another so despondent he thinks it will stop him from standing again.
Preliminary results released yesterday gave Mr Hawkins 16,492 votes to Cr Lee Vandervis' 14,097 votes, followed by Cr Andrew Whiley on 10,158, Cr Christine Garey on 7,417 and Cr Jim O'Malley on 5,915.
Meanwhile Twitter user Nate Watson has put together a graph showing where votes transferred in Dunedin's single transferable vote (STV) election.
On election night Cr Jim O'Malley told RNZ he wishes Mr Hawkins good luck as the new mayor, but he did not hold high hopes for the next three years of council.
"I don't think I'll be able to achieve very much in the council at this point, I'm quite despondent about how this council will play itself out now.
"So that's why I'm saying that after this term I don't think I'll be looking to run again after this."
Christine Garey, who is returning as a Dunedin City councillor, but missed out on the top seat, offered her congratulations to Mr Hawkins.
"The city is in safe hands and I will do all I can to support the mayor-elect in his role, leading council and the city," Ms Garey told RNZ.
Cr Lee Vandervis was quick to point the finger at the media for his loss.
He was not surprised by the result, but was surprised by "the level of personal untruths that have been levelled throughout".
He blamed the media for "a lack of debate around really important issues", like council debt, but said he would "keep moving, always looking forward".
On social media he said: "Thank you for your unprecedented Councillor vote support and for a majority of your Mayoral first preferences.
"Congrats to Aaron for winning the hot seat with the all-important STV second preferences."
On social media Andrew Whiley congratulated Mr Hawkins for his win.
"I look forward to working with Aaron on this newly elected Council.
"I also wish to acknowledge the hard work of all the candidates in running their campaigns; the energy put in by everyone is huge and overall it has been a positive and respectful process.
"It has been a tough race these past few weeks but I look forward to working as part of a collaborative council, to continue Dunedin’s growth and prosperity.
"I will continue to work in the best interest of both the city and its residents.
"I hope that we can all work together to make a real difference, moving forward to foster a city in which people are proud and happy to live and work."