Horowhenua's Mayor will fight to reinstate his preferred deputy, despite councillors voting him out.

Deputy Mayor Ross Campbell was overthrown at last night's meeting, with councillor Wayne Bishop elected in his place.

The move was made under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 2002.

Mayor Michael Feyen said it's a farce - on the one hand he has the right to choose a deputy, but on the other councillors can remove that deputy within 21 days.

"I'm hoping that government gets off its arse and fixes up this legislation because it's a joke, and can cast a town or a district in a poor light."

Ross Campbell said he'll keep fighting the demotion, as he and Mr Feyen work very well together.

"I don't need the title around my neck, that doesn't worry me one bit."

"I still know that we are going to get this place moving, it's what the people want and we're not going to let Councillors stand in the way of that."

Michael Feyen unseated long-standing mayor Brendan Duffy in October's local body elections.

He then chose Ross Campbell to be his deputy.

Campbell argues ratepayers voted for change and got it, but existing councillors are still struggling to accept that.

"This is the consequence of it - it's a bit like when you wean your cattle from their calves, the mooing goes on for weeks, I expect they're grieving."