An advocate for entrepreneurs, a former city councillor, a lawyer/musician and two sports heads are among the nominations for the Invercargill Licensing Trust by-election.
A vacancy was left at the licensing trust following the resignation of Mike Mika, who was appointed as a district court judge in February.
Nominations closed yesterday.
Those vying for the position on the six-person board are COIN South chief activator Louise Evans, businessman and Cycling Southland president Reece McDonald, Academy Southland manager Jason McKenzie, lawyer and musician John Pringle and former Invercargill city councillor Lindsay Thomas.
Ms Evans said she decided to stand because Invercargill had so much potential for young people, yet they did not stay.
"The ILT have an opportunity to engage and attract a younger generation to our city, and the board would benefit from having someone connected to that customer base offering that perspective."
The driving force behind Mr McKenzie’s decision to seek a position on the ILT board was helping others reach their potential.
"From my time on the ILT Foundation, I understand the crucial piece of the puzzle the ILT has played in our community in the past and will in the future."
Mr Pringle said he had always been a strong supporter of the trust and wanted to ensure it moved with the times and embraced new trends such as craft beer and gin bars.
"What I want to see is smaller, quirkier type venues where there is music and craft beer."
Meanwhile, Mr Thomas confessed he missed having a governance role.
"ILT are playing a good part on the inner-city upgrade with the hotel and I would like to have pubs and taverns across the town working as a kind of family-friend community hub where people can go down, get together and enjoy their time in their own suburbs."
Deputy electoral officer Michael Morris said the by-election voting process would follow the format of the recent city council by-election; residents would be able to cast their votes by post from May 5.
"Residents should start receiving their voting papers in the first week voting is open.
"You can then post them back to us until May 21, after which time you’ll need to drop off your vote in person to a ballot box at the Invercargill City Council Civic Administration Building in Esk St, or at the Invercargill Public Library in Dee St."
Voting will close at noon on May 27.
