The 1980 Christchurch mayoral election was part of the New Zealand local elections held that same year. In 1980, 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.
Incumbent Mayor Hamish Hay was re-elected with a decreased majority, defeating Labour city councillor Mollie Clark. Despite Hay retaining the mayoralty there was a huge swing against the Citizens' Association leaving the composition of the council at fifteen seats to four in favour of the Labour Party.[1]