The Napier elections will go ahead as scheduled this year despite current uncertainties regarding possible council reorganisation and mayor Barbara Arnott's announcement she will not be seeking re-election.
Under the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill, local body elections can be delayed for up to a year if there is progress being made towards governance restructuring.
However, with any final restructuring proposal in Hawke's Bay not expected until early next year, the 2013 local body elections will go ahead as scheduled.
Lobby group A Better Hawke's Bay have submitted a proposal for council amalgamation which would see Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke's Bay and Hawke's Bay Regional councils merge.
The Local Government Commission is currently accepting alternative proposals to this for consideration.