The incumbent, Ron Guthrey of the Citizens' ticket, was defeated by the Labour Party candidate Neville Pickering.

There were two hotly-discussed issues leading up to the 1971 election: a proposal by the mayor to build a road through North Hagley Park, and the venue choice for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.

According to Hamish Hay, a later mayor, the road proposal was Guthrey's undoing, and he was defeated by Labour councillor Neville Pickering.

The following table gives the election results: This is the first time that Tubby Hansen stood for the Christchurch mayoralty.

Amalgamation did not proceed but the Labour-led council introduced five wards in time for the 1974 local elections.