The race for Whanganui's mayoralty and district council has changed shape with one candidate withdrawing from both contests.
Rocky Alexander, a customer services advocate at Whanganui District Council, announced his candidacy back in April, the fourth person to do so after Hamish McDouall, Helen Craig and William Osborne.
But on Friday, the day nominations for the October local body elections officially opened, Mr Alexander said he was pulling out.
"For personal reasons I've since decided not to run for either the mayoralty or council. While this is something I may pursue in the future, it's currently not the right time for me or my family," he told the Chronicle.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has offered me support since I announced that I would be standing for the mayoralty and council."