Some candidates with significant political experience have put their hands up for seats on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, ensuring that October's election could be as bitter as the last one in 2013.
The list of candidates for the regional council, which was released after nominations closed at midday on Friday, show that all constituencies will be contested.
In the regional council's Central Hawke's Bay constituency just two candidates have stepped up. Incumbent and Ruataniwha Dam supporter Debbie Hewitt will battle it out with former co-chairman of CHB Forest & Bird, Dan Elderkamp, who does not support the construction of the dam.
The Wairoa constituency will also see two contenders go head to head: current council chairman Fenton Wilson faces a challenge from Mahia resident Dean Whaanga. Mr Whaanga is a trustee on the Wairoa Economic Development Trust, a JP and celebrant, and a manager with a training establishment.
Mr Whaanga said he was running for the regional council because "I am disappointed at the condition of the Wairoa District waterways".