It will be a sedate election race in Gore this year.
Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks stands unopposed, but elections will be held for the council's district-wide, Waikaka and Gore wards.
In the district-wide ward, three seats are being contested by sitting councillors Cliff Bolger, Peter Grant and Nicola Davis, and North Chatton farmer John Gardyne.
The Waikaka ward's one seat will be contested by incumbent Bevin Watt and newcomer Diane Byars.
In the Gore ward, there are eight candidates for five seats. They are Ralph Beale, Anne Glover, Doug Grant, Bret Highsted (all incumbents), Adam Hore, David Ogg, Graham Page and Laurel Turnbull.
The biggest issue facing Gore district residents is water. A council working party has been investigating new sources of water over the past few years, placing water treatment investigations on hold.
Last month high manganese levels discoloured some of Gore's water supply at one of the town's new water wells at Jacobstown.
A recent resident survey found 46% wanted the council to give the highest priority to water issues. The water supply strategy, endorsed earlier this year by the council, failed to identify viable alternative water sources but looks at various options for the water supply.
The survey also ranked footpaths (42%) and roading (41%) as important issues.
