Whangarei will have a new mayor in October after incumbent Morris Cutforth announced this week he won't be standing again.
And it looks like it will be one of the keenest contest for years, several people already announcing they will stand for the mayoralty, including a former four-term mayor, sitting and former councillors and several who have tried, unsuccessfully, before.
Mr Cutforth became mayor at his first attempt in 2010 and, after a stroke early in his term forced him to stand down for four months, is focusing on his health instead of seeking re-election.
When asked who he felt should replace him in the mayoral robes, Mr Cutforth said now knowing how difficult a job it is without prior experience, a sitting councillor or somebody with previous council experience would be able to "hit the ground running".
The deadline for nominations is noon on August 16 for the October 12 election, but several councillors say they will stand for mayor, with several former members also throwing their hats into the ring.
The highest-profile candidate is four-term former mayor Stan Semenoff, who was defeated by Mr Cutforth last time out.
Mr Semenoff, who was a three-term mayor between 1989 and 1998 then served another three years between 2007 and 2010, said he was keen for another term to ensure the council was run fiscally responsibly.
Deputy Mayor and Bream Bay ward councillor Phil Halse, who has stood unsuccessfully for mayor previously, said he would stand for his ward and intimated he would stand for mayor again after having filled in while Mr Cutforth was on sick leave.
"I'm pretty keen to make sure we are well represented with good leadership," he said.
Whangarei Heads ward councillor Warwick Syers said he would stand for the district's top job after two terms on the council.
Mr Syers - who will also stand in the Okara ward this time - said he had the leadership skills and vision needed for the job.
Cr Crichton Christie will stand again in his Denby ward, but is undecided on whether to go for the mayoral chains.
Cr Kahu Sutherland, a former deputy mayor, is undecided whether to stand for his ward or the mayoralty.
The Northern Advocate also approached non-councillors it had heard may be standing for the mayoralty. Former one-term councillor Vince Cocurullo, who missed out on the mayoralty last term, said he would stand again for mayor, but had yet to decide if he would also stand for a ward seat. Mr Cocurullo said he had the experience, talent and vision needed for the top job.
Sheryl Mai, who was a Whangarei District Council member from 2004 to 2010, said she would be scooting for the mayoralty, rather than running, and standing in the Denby ward.
Ms Mai, who didn't contest the 2010 election so she could travel extensively, said she had bought a "mayoral limousine" - a foot-powered scooter - that she would be using on her campaign.
Whangarei has a history of woman mayors, with Joyce Ryan and Pamela Peters filling the role in the last 25 years.
Warren Slater, who has stood unsuccessfully for mayor at the last two elections, is standing again in the hope that "new councillors will be elected to put the needs and priorities of the Whangarei public first ... and not fantasise about visiting, big spending, wealthy overseas tourists, being our saviour".
Another former councillor, Isopo Samu, said he would stand for the mayoralty, saying Whangarei could do better than it had in recent years.
He said he had the skill and experience necessary for the role.
Former Northland Rugby coach Bryce Woodward had been rumoured to stand, but he said he hadn't even considered the idea as he had just taken on a business, running Northland Toyota.
Northern Advocate editor Craig Cooper has also been rumoured to be considering standing for mayor, but said that was not the case.
Perennial mayoral candidate Don Hedges said he had yet to make his mind up whether to stand this year.
If you intend to stand for the Whangarei mayoralty ring Mike Dinsdale on 09 4702838, or email elections@north ernadvocate.co .nz