Divided opinion about New Plymouth mayor Andrew Judd could determine who replaces him in the job.

Mr Judd is standing down after facing fierce opposition to his bid for a Maori ward.

Taranaki reporter Josh Price said the five people standing to replace him in the hotly contested election include some familiar names.

"Heather Dodunski is the current deputy mayor, so has ties with Andrew Judd, so it will be interesting to see if that gets held against her.

"Richard Handley was seen as the champion of the Western Institute of Technology.

"He was seen as the man who would clean that institution up, but there has been ongoing scandals with it in recent years."

Meanwhile, a changing of the guard isn't expected in Taranaki's small town and regional council.

Ross Dunlop has been reelected mayor of South Taranaki and Neil Volzke will serve another term as Stratford's mayor.

One South Taranaki councillor has been elected unopposed, and most standing candidates will be elected.

Josh Price said it's a similar story in the Stratford-based Taranaki Regional Council, where a "straightforward" election is expected.

"The current chair David MacLeod, it would be very unlikely for him not to regain that position on election day.

"However, there will be two new councillors on that council as well."

NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Heather Dodunski
- Richard Handley
- Neil Holdom
- Bill Simpson
- Clive Moses Tongaawhikau

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- New Plymouth ward –25 candidates for 9 positions
- North ward – 7 candidates for 2 positions
- South-west ward – 3 candidates for 1 position

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Clifton Community Board – 2 candidates elected unopposed, 2 positions vacant
- Inglewood Community Board –4 candidates elected unopposed
- Kaitake Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed
- Waitara Community Board – 6 candidates for 4 positions

SOUTH TARNAKI COUNCIL

Ross Dunlop has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Hawera Ward – 8 candidates for 4 positions
- Tangahoe Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Eltham Ward – 3 nomination for 2 positions
- Egmont Plains Ward – 4 candidates for 3 positions
- Patea Ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Hawera-Tangahoe Ward, Hawera - Normanby – 6 candidates for 3 positions
- Hawera-Tangahoe Ward, Tangahoe – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Eltham Ward – 9 candidates for 4 positions
- Egmont Plains Ward – 4 candidates elected unopposed
- Patea-Waverley Ward – 5 candidates for 4 positions

STRATFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Neil Volzke has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Urban Ward – 10 candidates for 6 positions
- Rural Ward – 5 candidates for 4 positions

TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL

Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- New Plymouth constituency – 9 candidates
- North Taranaki constituency – 8 candidates
- South Taranaki constituency – 5 candidates for 3 positions
- Stratford constituency – 2 candidates

OTHER ELECTIONS

The following elections are also being held:
- Taranaki District Health Board – 28 candidates for 7 positions