The 1974 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1974, election were held for the Mayor of Christchurch plus other local government positions. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.
Sitting mayor Neville Pickering was defeated by Citizens' councillor Hamish Hay in a closely fought race with a large turnout. Pickering actually increased his poll but the increased voter turnout favoured Hay leading The Press to state the result was out of increased interest rather than a swing of public opinion.[1] It was the second consecutive election that an incumbent mayor had been defeated. The Citizens' Association regained their majority on the city council too, resulting in the composition of the council at eleven seats to eight.[2]
