Long-serving Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast is hanging on by just 40 votes from Celia Wade-Brown, a result that could change when special votes are counted.

Prendergast, looking for a fourth term, gained 24,468 votes and Wade-Brown 24,428. With 900 special and late votes to count, the result may not be known until Wednesday.

"We always knew it was going to be tough this time, the fourth term," Prendergast said, rejecting any suggestion voters had sent her any message.

The city faced big challenges and if she was re-elected her priority would be to make sure Wellington's voice was heard in the contest for resources with Auckland and Christchurch.

Wade-Brown, a long-serving Green councillor, said Prendergast had assumed it was going to be a shoo-in.

But she had campaigned hard and her years working with community groups showed in the result. If special votes put her in she wanted to be inclusive.

"There's a feeling that people's voices aren't heard."

Businessman Jack Yan was a distant third on 7341, and councillor Bryan Pepperell fourth on 5891.

Former Wellington mayor Sir Michael Fowler failed in his bid to become a councillor, gaining 1500 votes.

Two-term Lower Hutt mayor David Ogden was soundly beaten by Wainuiomata ward councillor Ray Wallace 15,569 to 10,624.

Wallace had accused Ogden of "gutter politics" and a smear campaign after Ogden distributed a pamphlet Wallace said misrepresented his position on water metering.

But he didn't hold any grudges and wanted to run a city where "people felt they were listened to and had a part in decisions".

Three-term councillor Nick Leggett was elected Porirua mayor, fending off a bid by former deputy mayor Litea Ah Hoi, a result that "delighted" the 31-year-old. "I'm pleased it's such a strong mandate."

His priorities were the restoration of Porirua harbour, replacing faulty sewer pipes, and rejuvenating the city centre.

He replaces four-term mayor Jenny Brash, who is standing down after 12 years.

Meanwhile, Manukau's Len Brown becomes the first mayor of the Auckland super city.

Some commentators said the result was disastrous for National, relying on former Auckland mayor John Banks getting in, but Brown and Prime Minister John Key were quick to play down any left-right divide.

"There's been a left-wing mayor and council elected but I don't think it bears any correlation to what's happening nationally," Key said.

"I've worked with Len. I've always found him to be a very constructive person, he's positive."

Brown said he was an "independent" mayor.

"The prime minister is aware of my position and my ability to work across party lines."

Last night Brown was reaffirming his commitment to fast-track a rapid rail system for the city.

Banks was disconsolate at his loss.

"I think it was a combination of things. People didn't like the super city from day one and I was for a combined Auckland.

"People didn't vote for me because I supported it."

In earthquake-hit Christchurch, Bob Parker strolled past long-serving Wigram MP Jim Anderton, who was miles ahead in polling before the September 4 quake rocked the South Island's largest city.

After it, there was no contest, with Cantabrians reacting to the leadership shown by Parker in the wake of the devastation, returning the one-time TV presenter to power with a 16,679 seat majority.

Parker said he was relieved to have secured another three years but was well aware of the size of the job he faced as the city began rebuilding.

He would "hit the ground running" and get the new council sworn in as quickly as possible so the city could push ahead.

"During the earthquake enough people saw something in me they thought was worthy of their support.

"The community had a chance to see me experiencing all of the same trauma and getting on with the job, just like they had to, and I'm sure that did me no harm," he said.

In Waimakariri, mayor Ron Keating's handling of the earthquake was not enough to save him, with provisional results putting 20-year district council veteran David Ayers on 7415 votes to Keating's 4272.

In the Hurunui District, sitting councillor Winton Dalley filled the mayoralty left vacant by Garry Jackson's retirement, and in the Kaikoura District, where sitting mayor Kevin Heays stood aside for family reasons, Winston Gray was elected.

In Selwyn, mayor Kelvin Coe staved off a challenge from former district mayor Bill Woods, and Ashburton has a new mayor in former Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillor Angus McKay, who was among those sacked this year after a government review.

Tim Shadbolt held on in Invercargill, beating out the challenge of one-time country and western singer Suzanne Prentice, while in Dunedin former TV presenter Dave Cull had a long, nervous wait to find out if he had ousted Peter Chin as mayor.

Cull, who stood on a platform of prudent financial management, ended Chin's six-year reign as mayor.