The 2001 Lower Hutt mayoral election was part of the wider 2001 New Zealand local elections. The elections were held for the role of Mayor of Lower Hutt plus other local government positions including eleven city councillors, also elected triennially. The polling was conducted using the standard first-past-the-post electoral method.
The incumbent Mayor, John Terris, stood for a third term. He was opposed by Eastern Ward councillor Scott Dalziell. Terris stood on his record of halving the city's debt in his time as mayor and economic development. Dalziell campaigned against the council's narrow focus on debt levels, rates and punitive user-pay charges.[1] The Labour Party aligned Positive Focus ticket renamed to contest the election as Hutt 2020.[2] While campaigning in the election Dalziell was mauled in an attack from a dog and required plastic surgery. After the election he lobbied for rules on dog control and ownership to be tightened as a result.[3]
