With 95% of votes counted, Mr Hawkins secured 15,060, putting 1754 votes ahead of councillor Lee Vandervis, who finished second.
Mr Hawkins said the win was humbling and overwhelming.
There will be four new faces around the council table, with Carmen Houlahan, Jules Radich, Sophie Barker, and Steve Walker elected.
Damian Newell was the only incumbent not to make the cut.
Around the rest of the south, New Zealand's longest serving mayor has secured another term.
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt won a ninth term, beating three other candidates to extend his two decades in the top job.
In the Queenstown Lakes District, Mayor Jim Boult won a second term over challengers Nik Kiddle and Al Angus by a healthy margin.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan, and Southland District Mayor Gary Tong were also re-elected.
