Under the partnership, two members of the board will be appointed and given voting rights to the council's two key committees, the Strategy, Policy and Finance, and Operations and Monitoring, and will have voting rights. However the council will be able to veto those appointments if it did not think they would be suitable.
The credentials of the nominees have been heard at two meetings, held at Te Papaiouru marae and the GHA Centre.
Te Arawa Partnership working party member Arapeta Tahana earlier told the Rotorua Daily Post the candidates comprised a diverse group of people.
"There's a good sense of competition and it gives our people options on who will represent them," he said.
Mr Tahana said it was important for Te Arawa members to vote because it was the first time there would be a collective voice for the iwi in the council and it was a way to work in a more "united fashion" in making decisions for the region.
Te Arawa Partnership vote:
* Returning officer, Electionz.com has received 1920 votes so far
* Only people registered with the Te Arawa Lakes Trust and are over the age of 18 can vote
* Registration with the trust is open until the voting closing date
* Voting closes Thursday, October 29
