Horowhenua Mayor Tom Robinson will not seek re-election this year.
Mr Robinson has been district mayor for the last nine years and involved in local government for 27 years.
He said he would back former deputy mayor, Brendan Duffy, as the next mayor.
Mr Duffy stood against Mr Robinson at the last election and was then replaced by the council as deputy by Dave Colling, who has also said he would stand for mayor this year.
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