Flooding in Franz Josef earlier this year has become an election issue on the West Coast.

The flooding of the Waiho River raised issues about stormwater systems and flood protection, particularly on the unprotected western side of the river.

Four people are standing to be mayor of the Hokitika-based Westland District and 18 people are standing for its eight council seats.

The Hits West Coast host Israel Bai said the floods are one of the talking points in a hotly contested election.

"They're currently debating whether they're going to do a stormwater upgrade and where they're going to be get the money from.

"There have been a lot of different opinions at the moment from the different mayoral candidates."

Israel Bai said the Westland election has become the election to watch on the coast.

"There have been lots of letters to the editor, lots of door-knocking, lots of Facebook posts, but no clear winner at this stage."

Greymouth and Westport will keep their mayors, but they may not keep their councillors.

Tony Kokshoorn will serve a fifth term as mayor of Grey District, and Gary Howard has been reelected unopposed as Buller District's mayor.

But there will be plenty of competition for council seats, particularly in Grey's central ward and Buller's Westport ward.

BULLER DISTRICT COUNCIL

Garry Howard has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Seddon ward – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Inangahua ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Westport ward – 12 candidates for 6 positions

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Inangahua Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed

GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL

Tony Kokshoorn has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Central ward – 11 candidate for 4 positions
- Eastern ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Northern ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Southern ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed

WESTLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Flow In
- Anthea Keenan
- Bruce Smith
- Andy Thompson

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Northern Ward – 6 candidates for 3 positions
- Hokitika Ward – 8 candidates for 3 positions
- Southern Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions

WEST COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL

Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- Buller constituency – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Grey constituency – 6 candidates for 3 positions
- Westland constituency – 2 candidates elected unopposed

OTHER ELECTIONS

The following elections are also being held:
- West Coast District Health Board – 11 candidate for 7 positions
- Development West Coast, Buller District – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Development West Coast, Grey District – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Development West Coast, Westland District – 2 candidates for 1 position