Local elections officially under way

Nominations for this year's local body elections officially open today but in Whanganui at least some hopefuls have already indicated their intentions.

So far five have signalled they were after the mayoral baubles while another 11 have their names out there for the voters to consider as council candidates.

The mayoral candidates include current district councillors Hamish McDouall and Helen Craig along with William Osborne, Rocky Alexander and Andy Jarden.

Whatever the outcome of that race, Whanganui will have a new mayor with incumbent Annette Main stepping down after two terms this year.

At a council level, Steve Baron, Matthew Urry, Ross Fallen, Craig Falconer, Alan Taylor, Stan Hood, Doreen Hardy, Josh Chandulal-Mackay, Hadleigh Reid, Daniel Harding and Dave Hill are all early committers.

Nominations for the council as well as the district health board open today and close off at midday on August 12. The electoral role is also open over the same period.

In January the Chronicle canvassed the current crop of councillors and while some were noncommittal, others indicated they were looking at another tilt.

Councillors Jack Bullock, Jenny Duncan, Charlie Anderson, Martin Visser, Rob Vinsen, Helen Craig and Ray Stevens said then they were all preparing for another campaign while Philippa Baker-Hogan, Sue Westwood, Rangi Wills and Jason Granville were uncommitted.