Business as usual for Stratford.

It will be business as usual today for Stratford's new mayor Neil Volzke, who yesterday won the mayoral by-election by a substantial margin over New Plymouth man Rusty Kane.

It was a massive endorsement of the local candidate by a voter turnout nearly equal to the 2007 elections.

Mr Volzke has occupied the mayor's chair since John Edwards' death on August 14. But he said it felt different when he sat in it yesterday after hearing the election result: Volzke 2887, Kane 282.

Mr Kane forfeited his $200 deposit by failing to achieve 25 per cent (721) of the winner's total vote.

He was very disappointed to get less than 10 per cent support.

But for Mr Volzke the result was a relief.

"It's removed some uncertainty about how I will work within this role.

"It will be business as usual but we have some important decisions to make on Tuesday, that of electing a deputy mayor and deciding whether or not to fill the vacant council seat vacated by me," he said.

Mr Volzke said the campaign was "uneventful to the extent that Rusty and I never actually met each other".

But he said Mr Kane was a serious and experienced campaigner who knocked on most doors in Stratford, Midhirst and beyond.

Mr Kane said although disappointed he didn't get a higher percentage of votes, at least he had "given it a good go".