Rehette Stolz will continue as Gisborne's mayor, beating her nearest rival by more than 5000 votes.
Rehette Stolz Photo: Gisborne District Council
Mrs Stolz was appointed mayor a few months ago following the departure of long serving mayor, Meng Foon.
Her rival Meredith Akuhata-Brown received just 2700 votes to Mrs Stolz's 8121 votes.
The third mayoral candidate, Aucklander and former cabinet minister Ross Meurant received just over 1000 votes.
Ms Stolz said she's humbled and excited to win the mayoralty.
She said her immediate focus will be introducing her new council to the community, in the wake of former Mayor Meng Foon's departure a few months ago.
"Meng has been loved by our community, he has been here for 18 years, and so what I would love to do is take our new council, make sure our community get to know me well, get to know our new council well, to work on those new relationships."
Meanwhile, Craig Little has been re-elected mayor in Wairoa, beating Jennifer Takuta-Moses and Waipatu Winitana by a very wide margin.
Mr Little was first elected Mayor in 2013.