In Whakatane, Mayor Tony Bonne, who was elected to the role three years ago, goes up against seven candidates. While Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell, who has held the position for 12 years, faces a challenge from former policeman Tony Moller while incumbent Opotiki Mayor John Forbes, who has also held the role for 12 years, has three others contesting the position.
In Kawerau 20 people are seeking one of the eight positions available on the council.
Whakatane District Council:
Mayor: One position - seven candidates
Tony Bonne (incumbent)
David Dowd
Scott Jarrett
Julie Jukes
Mawera Karetai
Barry Marshall
Fiona Wiremu
Council: 10 positions - 20 candidates
Galatea/Murupara: Daryl Christie, Alison Ruth Stock (one required)
Rangitaiki: George Johnston, Russell Orr, Gerard van Beek, Doug Wright (three required)
Taneatua/Waimana: Andrew Iles, Joshua Kalan, Basil Tamiana Maihana-Tait (one required)
Whakatane/Ohope: David Dowd, Ozgur Jahn, Scott Jarrett, Julie Jukes, Mawera Karetai, Peter Lander, Christine Larsen, John Pullar, Dave Sheaff, Judy Turner, Fiona Wiremu (five required).
Opotiki District Council:
Mayor: One position - four candidates
Alex Dobie
Selby Fisher
John Forbes (incumbent)
Graham Hayward
Council: Six positions - 10 candidates
Coast Ward: Haki McRoberts (one required)
Opotiki Ward: Shona Rosalie Browne, Alex Dobie, Barry John Howe, Jill Theobald, Arihia Tuoro (three required)
Waioeka/Waiotahi Ward: Ali Cookson, Lyn Riesterer, Joseph Hohepa Te Kahika, Ken Young (two required)
Kawerau District Council:
Mayor: One position - two candidates
Malcolm Campbell (incumbent)
Tony Moller
Council: Eight positions - 20 candidates
Gary John Abraham, Wes Allen, Bob Austin, Russell Chase, Denis Fahey, Warwick Godfrey, Alistair Holmes, Carolyn Ion, Bernie Joyes, Berice Julian, Chris Marjoribanks, Anita Moore, Wendy Peri, Miriama Postlethwaite, Veronica Reid, Peta Ruha, Rex Savage, Grace Stone, Stephen Pope Tuhoro, Faylene Tunui
TAUPO
Taupo district voters have some tough decisions ahead of them in this year's local body elections, with 31 people vying for positions at the Taupo District Council table.
With Mayor Rick Cooper retiring this year, the mayoralty is a five-man race between deputy mayor Mich'eal Downard and his challengers, who include former deputy mayor David Trewavas, former district councillor Bernhard Chrusthowski, former mayoral candidate Brent Pirie and Taupo businessman Tony Treloar. Nineteen candidates are lining up for seven vacancies in the council's Taupo-Kaingaroa ward. Offering themselves for re-election are Keith Crate, Barry Hickling, Chris Johnston and Anna Kirk, while former councillor Rex Mincher, who resigned earlier this year, is also hoping to be back. New candidates are Quintin Bigwood, John Boddy, Alan Brake, Ian Chamberlain, Rosie Harvey, Edna Isaacs, Gary Jenkins, Rosanne Jollands, Andrew Leiataua, Marguerite Morris, Douglas Scott, Jeannie Short, Doug Simmons and John Williamson. In the Mangakino-Pouakani ward sitting councillor Kirsty Trueman is running for re-election, against newcomer Whitu Karuana; and in the two vacancies in the Turangi-Tongariro ward councillor Gary Keepa is joined by Zane Cozens, Don Ormsby, Maggie Stewart and Ned Wikaira all seeking election. Voters in the Turangi-Tongariro Board also have eight candidates to choose from for the six seats on the Turangi-Tongariro Community Board: Tong Kingi, Duncan McKenzie, Te Takinga New, Neale Saunders, Heather Sharplin, Mary Smallman, Chris Te Whare and Wally van der Aa.
WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCIL
In the Taupo-Rotorua constituency of the Waikato Regional Council, there are three people vying for one spot.
They are current Taupo district councillor Rob Henderson, former councillor Doreen Blyth and Taupo-based writer and educator Kathy White. The candidates vying for the Taupo-Rotorua seat in the Waikato Regional Council elections have been named. Self-employed writer Kathy White and former Taupo District councillors Rob Henderson and Doreen Blyth will contest the one seat that opened after the retirement of Taupo-based councillor Laurie Burdett. Five people have also been nominated for the Nga Tai ki Uta Maori constituency which included the Tokoroa, Taupo and Turangi areas. They were Chris Webster, Timoti Bramley, Lucy Steel, Roger Pikia and Vanessa Eparaima.
Thirty-eight people will contest the Waikato Regional Council seats in six general and two Maori constituencies in the October 12 election.
Nominations closed last Friday and candidates' names were drawn from a hat to decide the order in which they will be listed on the voting papers.
