Dick Quax has won the Auckland Council ward vacated by former councillor Jami-Lee Ross.
Mr Ross went on to become the MP for Botany when Pansy Wong left the electorate seat.
More than 28,000 people voted in the Howick ward by-election, or just under one third of voters (30.9%).
Mr Quax commanded an outright majority, securing 11,600 votes.
The independent Maggie Burrill came second with 7023 votes.
Mr Quax served on the former Manukau City Council. Both he and Jami-Lee Ross led a charge that council against the then mayor Len Brown over his credit card spending.
But Mr Brown, now mayor of Auckland, has congratulated Mr Quax, saying he was a strong advocate for his community.