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.