1989 Porirua mayoral election

The 1989 Porirua mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Porirua plus other local government positions including thirteen city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.

Background
The 1989 local elections were the first following a major overhaul of local government in New Zealand. The Horokiwi riding of the Hutt County Council had been absorbed into Porirua in 1988.

The incumbent Mayor, John Burke, stood for a third term and was successful. He was re-elected by a comfortable margin of over 4,000 votes over Ken Mair, an activist. Mair said he was surprised by how many votes he received and he was "only testing the water" in standing. Media speculated that the level of votes against Labour were reflective of public mood against the policies of the Fourth Labour Government, rather than about local issues. Labour still won a narrow majority of seats on the council.

Mayoral results
The following table gives the election results:

Ward results
Candidates were also elected from wards to the Porirua City Council.