Key dates relating to the general election were as follows:[1] In Auckland, Phil Goff was re-elected Mayor and at least 16 of the city's 20 councillors retained their seats, with two new councillors winning seats which were vacated by retirement.

[2][3][4] In Hamilton, incumbent mayor Andrew King lost to Paula Southgate, who previously challenged him in 2016,[5] while four controversial councillors were voted out of office.

[4] In Wellington incumbent mayor Justin Lester was unseated by Andy Foster, who received a high-profile endorsement from filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson.

The Chatham Islands have a unique, separately-legislated council that has almost all the powers of a unitary authority.

These were the last elections held for the DHBs before they were disestablished on 1 July 2022 and replaced by Te Whatu Ora.