Growing pains are the biggest issue for candidates in Bay of Plenty's local elections.

Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty will both elect new mayors, while the mayors of Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki all face challengers.

There are 35 people standing for the 10 seats on Rotorua District Council.

Tauranga City Council has also attracted a lot of candidates, with a total of 32 people standing for the 10 councillor and ward councillor positions.

The Hits Bay of Plenty host Will Johnston said the region's rapid growth is providing a divisive issue, particularly in Tauranga.

"The amount of growth there is here. Everything from people moving from Auckland, buying houses and opportunities here, to people moving back here.

"There's lots of people who are really ridiculously happy with how things are going and how awesome this place is at the moment.

"Then there are other people thinking we actually need some changes so we can equip ourselves for the future."

Tauranga, one of the country's largest and fastest-growing cities, is about it get its first new mayor in over a decade.

Mayor Stuart Crosby is standing aside after 12 years in the role and more than 30 years in Bay of Plenty local council politics.

Former United Future MP and Conservative candidate Larry Baldock is one of 11 people standing to be mayor.

Will Johnston said the other candidates include both seasoned campaigners and political newcomers.

"There are people from all walks of life, from business sectors, sports sectors, a few philanthropists and just really well-known names in Tauranga as well.

"It will be really interesting to see if there will be a little bit of a changing of the guard in the council, given there was a bit of change three years ago."

TAURANGA CITY COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Larry Baldock
- Greg Brownless
- Kelvin Clout
- Murray Guy
- Hori BOP Leaming
- Max Mason
- Steve Morris
- Doug Owens
- Noel James Peterson
- Graeme Purches
- John Robson

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Councillors at large – 15 candidates for 4 positions
- Mount Maunganui - Papamoa Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Otumoetai-Pyes Pa Ward – 6 candidates for 2 positions
- Te Papa-Welcome Bay Ward – 7 candidates for 2 positions

ROTORUA DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Stephanie Chadwick
- Mark Gould
- Rob Kent
- RangiMarie Kingi
- Frances Louis
- Reynold Macpherson
- John Rakei-Clark

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- District at large – 35 candidates for 10 positions.

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Rotorua Lakes Community Board – 7 candidates for 4 positions
- Rotorua Rural Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Gwendalyn Merriman
- Mike Lally
- Don Thwaites
- Garry Webber
- Kevin Tohiariki

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Kaimai Ward – 6 candidates for 4 positions
- Katikati - Waihi Beach Ward – 6 candidates for 3 positions
- Te Puke - Maketu Ward – 8 nomination for 4 positions

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Katikati – 6 candidates for 4 positions
- Omokoroa Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed
- Te Puke Community Board – 5 candidates for 4 positions
- Waihi Beach Community Board – 5 candidates for 4 positions
- Maketu Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed

OPOTIKI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- John Forbes
- Les Keane
- Tangi Tipene

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Opotiki ward – 5 candidates for 3 positions
- Coast ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Waioeka-Waiotahe ward – 2 candidates elected unopposed

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Coast Community Board – 7 candidates for 4 positions

KAWERAU DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Malcolm Campbell
- Robert Hay
- Sarah Penlington

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- District at large – 16 candidates for 8 positions

WHAKATANE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Julian Rewet
- Mike van der Boom
- Tony Bonne - incumbent
- Julie Jukes
- Doug McLean
- Karen Pocock

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Whakatane-Ohope Ward – 12 candidates for 5 positions
- Taneatua-Waimana Ward – 4 candidates for 1 position
- Rangitaiki Ward – 4 candidates for 3 positions
- Galatea-Murupara Ward – 5 candidates for 1 position

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Whakatane-Ohope Community Board – 18 candidates for 8 positions
- Taneatua Community Board – 5 candidates for 6 positions
- Rangitaiki Community Board – 9 candidates for 6 positions
- Murupara Community Board - Murupara Subdivision – 4 candidates for 3 positions
- Murupara Community Board - Galatea Waiohau Subdivision – 4 candidates for 2 positions

BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- Eastern Bay of Plenty General Constituency – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Rotorua General Constituency – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Tauranga General Constituency – 8 candidates for 5 positions
- Western Bay of Plenty General Constituency – 2 candidates elected unopposed
- Kohi Maori Constituency – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Okurei Maori Constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Mauao Maori Constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position

OTHER ELECTIONS

The following elections are also being held:
- Bay of Plenty District Health Board – 20 candidates for 7 positions
- Lakes District Health Board – 25 candidates for 7 positions