Two Rotorua businessmen and an accountant have announced their intentions to run for a spot on the Rotorua District Council.
The Rotorua Daily Post has also confirmed all but one incumbent district councillor will stand in October's elections, with two-term councillor Maggie Bentley not seeking re-election.
Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman and husband to Mrs Bentley - Peter Bentley - will stand for the first time.
Also seeking election in his first attempt is McLeod's Booksellers manager Fraser Newman.
Rotorua accountant Victor Storey, who stood for election in 2010 and again in 2011's by-election, also said he would stand.
Mr Bentley said there were too many "professional councillors" in Rotorua who did not have the relevant expertise to be running the city.
"There are no engineers or successful business owners so very few practical decisions are being made," he said.
Mrs Bentley said she felt her husband would be better suited to a council position.
"He has a lot of practical knowledge and would be more of an asset to council than I would," she said. Mr Newman said he had resigned his position as Labour Party spokesman for Rotorua to run for council.
"I am an individual with my own ideas and intend to stand as an independent," he said.
"Rotorua is my home and I feel strongly about its potential. What we need though, are fresh ideas and strong leadership."
After living and working in China, Mr Newman said he hoped to be able to help form strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the Chinese.
"I also want to see a better, more transparent council with good governance and good structures in place to handle the challenges ahead," Mr Newman said.
After narrowly missing out in the 2010 election and in the 2011 by-election, accountant Victor Storey said he was prepared to stand again saying nothing had changed in council and the city was still slowly dying.
"The current council have not done anything to stop this," he said.
"There is nothing in place to secure better jobs and employment opportunities here ... and people still do not feel safe in the City Focus or central city," he said.
High-profile candidates from previous elections, including former councillor Bob Martin, Princes Gate owner Brett Marvelly and Te Arawa Standing Committee member Kingi Biddle, have all said they would not be standing.
However, Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon and former councillor Cliff Lee said they were undecided.
To date, just two people have put their hands up for the mayoralty.
In January incumbent mayor Kevin Winters and former Labour Party MP for Rotorua Steve Chadwick announced their intentions for the city's top job.
The local body elections also include two spots for Rotorua representatives on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council - and one local Maori representative, four positions on the Rotorua Lakes Community Board and the Lakes District Health Board.
Nominations for all positions open on July 26 and close on August 23, subject to change.
Election timetable
July 26 - Nominations open
August 23 - Nominations close
August 28 - Public notice of elections and candidates
September 20 to 25 - Voting documents delivered, postal vote begins
October 12 - Postal voting closes, preliminary results released
October 14 to 23 - Final results declared
October 30 - Council sworn in
Note: dates for the opening and closing of nominations could change with new legislation.
Mayoral candidates
Kevin Winters - running for his fourth term as mayor
Steve Chadwick - running in her first mayoral election
Current councillors
Trevor Maxwell, deputy mayor - has served 36 years on council. Will stand
Mike McVicker, economic and regulatory services committee chairman - has served nine years on council. Will stand
Glenys Searancke, infrastructure services committee chairwoman - has served 27 years on council. Will stand
Janet Wepa, corporate and customer services committee chairwoman - has served 10 years on council. Will stand
Maggie Bentley - has served six years on council. Not standing
Julie Calnan - has served six years on council. Will stand
Dave Donaldson - has served six years on council. Will stand
Mark Gould - has served six years on council. Will stand
Karen Hunt - has served six years on council. Will stand
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait - has served two years on council. Will stand
Charles Sturt - has served 22 years on council. Will stand
Maureen Waaka - has served 18 years on council. Will stand
Previous candidates
Roger Gordon - undecided
Cliff Lee - undecided
Dennis Hanson - undecided
Geoff Kenny - not standing
Victor Storey - will stand
Brian McGillivray - not standing
Bob Martin - not standing
Brett Marvelly - not standing
Kingi Biddle - not standing
Shaloh Mitchell - undecided
Fred Stevens - undecided
Rene Mitchell - could not be contacted
Hera Naera - could not be contacted
Paora Te Hurihanganui - could not be contacted
Paul Weston - could not be contacted
Mike Brady - could not be contacted
Confirmed council candidates
Fraser Newman - manager of McLeod's Booksellers
Peter Bentley - business owner
Victor Storey - accountant. Ran in the 2010 election and 2011 by-election