Nominations for North ward candidates for the Tararua District Council have flooded in at the last minute, with 10 people vying for four seats.
"I'm surprised people have left it so late to put their names forward in the North ward," retiring district mayor Roly Ellis said. "However, in the South ward it's been difficult to persuade people to come forward. But in the North ward there are a lot of people who fancy their chances."
Five nominations have been received for the Tararua District mayoralty and 10 for the council in the North ward where councillor David Roberts has retired.
However, just four nominations have been received for council seats from the South ward, including mayoral candidates, Shirley Hull and Tracey Collis. Deputy mayor Bill Keltie, a previous South ward councillor, isn't seeking a council seat this time
Four people are standing for the Eketahuna Community Board, with seven for the Dannevirke Community Board, with chairman Bob Dresser not standing.