More than 200 people have won by default in this weekend's local election, but that's an improvement on decades prior. 

Newstalk ZB analysis of the thousands of council races over five consecutive elections have found more than one in seven roles have been won by the only person who stood. 

Unopposed elections have fallen by about a third since 2001. 

Gisborne Mayor and Local Government NZ Vice-President Rehette Stoltz told Mike Hosking there are two sides to the story. 

She says that while in some areas the lack of people standing for office may be caused by apathy, it could also be that the people who are already there are believed to be doing a great job. 

LISTEN ABOVE