The local elections mark the return of local democracy in the Northland district of Kaipara.
The Government replaced the council with commissioners in 2012, following the Mangawhai sewerage scheme saga.
Northern Advocate editor Craig Cooper said the highly anticipated mayoral race includes some well-known names.
"Greg Gent is a name that will be familiar with many people in terms of his Fonterra involvement," including as chairman of Farmers' Mutual Group.
"Bruce Rogan has been fighting the fight on behalf of Mangawhai ratepayers around their sewerage scheme," including as president of the Mangawhai Ratepayers' Association.
In the Far North, current mayor John Carter, a former National MP and High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, has faced a last minute challenge.
Public relations consultant and former journalist Peter Gill is standing against Mr Carter and is critical of what he says is the slow "Northland way" and "shabby" council brand.
In Whangarei, six people are standing for mayor, down from 12 in the last election in 2013.
Craig Cooper said a straw poll shows the vote is spread between the candidates, with Sheryl Mai getting the strongest support.
"I guess Sheryl Mai is considered to be on the left side of politics and there are other left-ish candidates in the mix.
"We've also got a guy who's very business-oriented, David Blackley, and he heads the Go Whangarei party ticket."
WHANGAREI DISTRICT COUNCIL
Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Stuart Bell
- David Blackley
- Kay Brittenden
- Ash Holwell
- Matt Keene
- Sheryl Mai
Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Bream Bay Ward – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Denby Ward – 9 candidates for 3 positions
- Hikurangi-Coastal Ward –7 candidates for 2 positions
- Mangakahia-Maungatapere Ward – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Okara Ward – 18 candidates for 4 positions
- Whangarei Heads Ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL
Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- John Carter
- Peter Gill
Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward – 9 candidates for 4 positions
- Te Hiku Ward – 9 candidates for 3 positions
- Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Kawakawa-Moerewa Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Kerikeri Subdivision – 5 candidates for 3 positions
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Paihia Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Russell-Opua Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board Whangaroa Subdivision – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Te Hiku Community Board Doubtless Bay Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Te Hiku Community Board Kaitaia Subdivision – 3 candidates elected unopposed
- Te Hiku Community Board North Cape Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Te Hiku Community Board Whatuwhiwhi Subdivision – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Kaikohe Subdivision – 3 candidates elected unopposed
- Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board North Hokianga Subdivision – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board South Hokianga Subdivision – 4 candidates for 2 positions
KAIPARA DISTRICT COUNCIL
Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Greg Gent
- Bruce Rogan
- Christian Simon
- Jay Ben Tane
Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Dargarville Ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Otamatea Ward – 8 candidates for 3 positions
- West Coast/Central Ward – 4 candidates for 3 positions
NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL
Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- Te Hiku constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Coastal North constituency – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Hokianga-Kaikohe constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Coastal Central constituency – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Kaipara constituency – 4 candidates for 1 position
- Whangarei Urban constituency – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Coastal South – 2 candidates for 1 position
OTHER ELECTIONS
The following elections are also being held:
- Northland District Health Board -21 candidates for 7 positions
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