The by-election was triggered by the resignation of sitting Mayor Catherine Tizard after she was appointed to the position of Governor-General.

Deputy mayor Phil Warren released a press statement form Malaysia, where he was visiting, that he would be a candidate.

Tizard's closest rivals in the 1986 and 1989 elections, Marie Quinn and Malcolm Moses, also confirmed they would stand.

Former athlete Les Mills was polling third with Quinn in fourth place and councillor Bruce Hucker fifth.

[2] Twenty candidates came forward for the contest, with businessman and former athlete Les Mills the winner.