Auckland councillors have formally censured mayor Len Brown by 15 votes to 5 and a vote of no-confidence by five members will not proceed.
Brown has been under pressure after an independent audior's review found that he had accepted but failed to declare personal use of nine free hotel rooms and 64 upgrades.
This came to light following an investigation into whether he used council resources during a two-year extra-marital affair with a committee member.
The mayor was booed on his arrival to the council meeting and left when the debate about him began, as per protocol.
He then returned to the chamber and said he accepts the vote. Amid a backdrop of constant heckling from a packed public gallery of more than 80 people, councillors discussed the exact wording of motions they would vote on.
They have no powers to do more than fomally censure a mayor.
