The local elections were over before they began in some parts of the Waikato, but Hamilton is guaranteed a new mayor.

Matamata-Piako mayor Janet Barnes, Otorohanga mayor Max Baxter and most of their ward councillors have been reelected unopposed.

But Hamilton City mayor Julie Hardaker and four Hamilton City councillors are standing aside at this election.

New Zealand Herald Waikato reporter Nikki Preston said there are six people standing to become mayor of Hamilton.

"Councillors Andrew King and Rob Pascoe, Waikato Regional Council chairwoman Paula Southgate and former council employee Chris Simpson are all in the running for mayor.

"Meanwhile, deputy mayor Gordon Chesterman, and councillors Margaret Forsyth, Ewan Wilson and Katrina Green are not standing for council again."

Most mayors and councillors in Hauraki, Hamilton, South Waikato, Waipa and Waikato District are facing challengers.

Thames Coromandel's deputy mayor Peter French and former MP Sandra Goudie are competing to replace outgoing mayor Glenn Leach.

Meanwhile, Christine Rankin, the former chief executive of Work and Income and the Conservative Party, is now vying to become Taupo's mayor.

Nikki Preston said the former Auckland Council politician has made Taupo's election particularly interesting.

"Christine Rankin is throwing her hat in the ring for the Taupo mayoralty alongside Kim Eyles, Rosanne Jollands and the current mayor David Trewavas."

HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- James Rcasson
- Arshad Chatha
- Jack Gilen
- Andrew King
- Rob Pascoe
- Chris Simpson
- Paula Southgate

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- East Ward – 25 candidates for 6 positions
- West Ward – 16 candidates for 6 positions

HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- John Tregidga
- Conall Buchanan

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Paeroa Ward – 9 candidates for 4 positions
- Waihi Ward – 9 candidates for 4 positions
- Plains Ward – 5 candidates for 4 positions

MATAMATA-PIAKO COUNCIL

Janet Barnes has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Te Aroha Ward – 3 candidates elected unopposed
- Morrinsville Ward – 4 candidates elected unopposed
- Matamata Ward – 5 candidates for 4 positions

OTOROHANGA DISTRICT COUNCIL

Max Baxter has been elected mayor unopposed.

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Kawhia-Tihiroa Ward – 2 candidates elected unopposed
- Waipa Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Kio Kio-Korakonui Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Otorohanga Ward – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Wharepuhunga Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Otorohanga Community Board – 8 candidates for 4 positions
- Aotea Community Subdivision – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Kawhia Community Subdivision – 3 candidates elected unopposed

SOUTH WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Alan Blair
- Tracey Deane
- Jarrad Gallagher
- Jenny Shattock

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Tokoroa Ward – 19 candidates for 6 positions
- Putaruru Ward – 6 candidates for 3 positions
- Tirau Ward – 3 candidates for 1 position

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Tirau Community Board – 6 candidates for 4 positions

TAUPO DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Kim Eyles
- Rosanne Jollands
- Christine Rankin
- David Trewavas

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Mangakino-Pouakani Ward – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Taupo-Kaingaroa Ward – 14 candidates for 7 positions
- Turangi-Tongariro Ward – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Turangi-Tongariro Community Board – 10 candidates for 6 positions

THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Peter French
- Sandra Goudie

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Coromandel-Colville Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Mercury Bay Ward – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- South Eastern Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Thames Ward – 6 candidates for 3 positions

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Coromandel-Colville Community Board – 9 candidates for 4 positions
- Mercury Bay Community Board – 8 candidates for 4 positions
- Tairua-Pauanui Community Board – 5 candidates for 4 positions
- Thames Community Board – 5 candidates for 4 positions
- Whangamata Community Board – 7 candidates for 4 positions

WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Brian Cathro
- John Deacon
- Wally Hayes
- Donna Nichols
- Allan Sanson

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Awaroa ki Tuakau Ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Eureka Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Hukanui-Waerenga Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Huntly ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Newcastle Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Ngaruawahia Ward – 6 candidates for 2 positions
- Onewhero-Te Akau Ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Raglan Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Tamahere Ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Whangamarino Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Huntly Community Board – 9 candidates for 6 positions
- Ngaruawahia Community Board – 9 candidates for 6 positions
- Onewhero-Tuakau Community Board – 9 candidates for 6 positions
- Raglan Community Board – 7 candidates for 6 positions
- Taupiri Community Board – 8 candidates for 6 positions

WAIPA DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Jim Mylchreest
- Vern Wilson

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Pirongia Ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Cambridge Ward – 6 candidates for 4 positions
- Maungatautari Ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Te Awamutu Ward – 8 candidates for 4 positions
- Kakepuku Ward – 4 candidates for 1 position

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Cambridge Community Board - Cambridge Subdivision – 7 candidates for 4 positions
- Cambridge Community Board - Maungatautari Subdivision –2 candidates for 1 position
- Te Awamutu Community Board - Te Awamutu Subdivision – 8 candidates for 4 positions
- Te Awamutu Community Board - Kakepuku Subdivision – 3 candidates for 1 positions

WAITOMO DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Mike Brown
- Brian Hanna

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Te Kuiti Urban Ward – 4 candidates for 3 positions
- Waitomo Rural Ward – 3 candidates elected unopposed

WAIKATO REGIONAL COUNCILS

Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- Hamilton City constituency – 7 candidates for 4 positions
- Taupo-Rotorua constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Thames-Coromandel constituency – 6 candidates for 1 position
- Waihou constituency – 2 candidates elected unopposed
- Waikato constituency – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Waipa King Country constituency – 2 candidates elected unopposed
- Nga Hau e Wha constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Nga Tai ki Uta constituency – 2 candidates for 1 position

OTHER ELECTIONS

The following elections are also being held:
- Waikato District Health Board – 20 candidates for 7 positions
- Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust – 5 candidates elected unopposed, 1 position vacant