Celia Wade-Brown says her unorthodox meeting with Hillary Clinton is one of her proudest achievements.

Ms Wade-Brown has chaired her final full council meeting as mayor of Wellington, after two terms in the role.

One of her more memorable moments, was when she cycled out to the airport to greet the then US Secretary of State, attracting criticism from some.

But Celia Wade-Brown said she'll always look back on it as an achievement.

"I'm really proud to have met the next President of the United States on a bike. She would never have known it but I'm really pleased because it out us on the map in a way."

She said her love of cycling hasn't always been easy, but during her time as mayor she's learnt how to show up for work without a sweat, thanks in part to her new electric bike.

Ms Wade-Brown has seen attitudes change for the better during her time in the role.

"We now light up our Michael Fowler centre with the colours of the rainbow. We fly the transgender flag. We've got Carmen Rupe beckoning us up Cuba Street."

And she’s also pleased the push for policies on ecology and biodiversity have been wildly embraced, she said.

"I started my political career cleaning the beach in Island Bay and I met Merrin Downing. She asked me to stand [for mayor]. If we hadn't met who knows what different path that might have led to.

"The role of mayor has been an unparalleled opportunity to get to know this city as an immigrant. To get to know its history, its people, its heritage -- natural, built."

And Len Brown will chair his final Auckland Council meeting later this morning.