Nominations for October's local body elections have closed, with strong competition in some cities, while candidates will stand unopposed in others.
Photo: RNZ
In Auckland there is stronger competition for the 21-seat council than in the past.
Ten candidates are contesting the two-seat Howick Ward where Dick Quax and Sharon Stewart were elected unopposed last time.
In the Orakei ward, four candidates are chasing a seat where there was not a battle three years ago.
The usual long list is contesting the mayoralty, with 17 candidates lining up.
Only one council ward seat has been decided, with sitting councillor Bill Cashmore the only nomination for the Franklin Ward.
Around the country, Napier is one of several areas which will not have a contested mayoral election, after only one candidate put their name forward.
Despite hundreds of last minute nominations, there are some seats around the country that will not be contested.
They include the mayoralties of Napier, where the current mayor Bill Dalton will stand unopposed, as well as Masterton, Hurunui and Clutha.
Elsewhere, 41 people have put their hand up for one of 12 seats around the council table in Hamilton, with seven people vying for the position of Mayor.
Current Mayor Julie Hardaker will not stand after serving two terms.
At the Waikato Regional Council 28 people have been nominated for 10 seats, while four candidates were elected unopposed in two constituencies.
Further south, Christchurch's nominations are down by close to a third on the 2013 elections.
Only 116 put their names forward for mayor, council or community boards, compared to 153 the previous time.
Electoral Officer Jo Daly said she was still pleased with the interest in this year's Christchurch City Council elections and that there was a candidate for every position.
Voting papers will be mailed out in five weeks to those enrolled to vote and people have until 8 October to get them back in.
Final numbers are still been tallied for many districts.
