Mr Lawrence’s vote ultimately proved crucial, giving Mr Shields a 5-4 majority over Kevin Parker after John Ryan chose to abstain.

Mr Shields was widely expected to have four votes, courtesy of his vote and that of Ben Shields Team members Greg Mohr, Vicki Etheridge and Dayne Gumley, although Mr Shields said his team were free to vote for who they pleased.

Therefore Mr Lawrence’s vote was what got the new mayor across the line, with Jane Diffey, Anne Jones, David Grant and Mr Parker on the other side.

“It was a hard decision to vote for Ben Shields, he doesn’t represent my sort of politics,” Mr Lawrence said.

“I’m not a fan of everything he has done politically in the past but I approached the choice of mayor by putting aside personality politics and solely focusing on who would be the best person for a united and progressive council.”

Mr Lawrence said the onus was now on Mr Shields to prove he was mayoral material.

“I’m one of a number of councillors who have told Ben not just that he should change his approach but that he must change his approach to have our confidence and in order for this council to go forward,” he said.

“If I see political behaviour that I can’t accept I will be the strongest critic he has.

“All that said, I’m confident he can grow through leadership and I’m hopeful we will see a different Ben Shields in this position of mayor.”

And while just one vote split the two mayoral candidates, Mr Lawrence said his feeling was the 10 councillors would work well together.

“I’m confident based on all of my discussions that people on this council are very united,” he said.

“There are a range of people with strong views, you saw that in one sense with the mayoral vote but I think people will put all that behind them and focus on working for the community.”

In the vote on Thursday, Wellington ward councillor and former Wellington shire mayor Anne Jones was elected deputy mayor.