Competition for the three Dunstan seats on the Otago Regional Council is the hottest in the local body's history.
Seven people, including the only incumbent to stand again, Gerry Eckhoff, have been nominated.
Council chairman Stephen Woodhead, who is standing in the Molyneux constituency, said the interest could be because the Dunstan seats had been increased from two to three and the first time long-serving councillor Duncan Butcher had not stood.
''The ORC has had a very stable political base for quite some time.''
Given the significant dedication the role required, including regular 500km round trips to Dunedin, it was great to see such a mix of people
interested in being a Dunstan representative, Mr Woodhead said.
That included long-serving Central Otago local body politicians PGG Wrightson wool representative Graeme Bell and Lowburn farmer Murray MacMillan.
It was also positive that the candidates came from across the constituency, which stretched from Queenstown to Maniototo.
An election would also be held in the Dunedin constituency, where business mentor Austen Banks, University of Otago scientist Marc Shellenberg, Otago Boys' High School rector Clive Rennie and mental health consultant Graham Roper are standing against the six incumbent councillors, for the six available seats.
Long-time Mosgiel community board member Brian Miller is challenging Mr Woodhead and David Shepherd in the two-seat Molyneux constituency.
However, incumbent Doug Brown was the only person to stand for the single Moeraki seat.
