The building of a new wastewater treatment plant in Whanganui is one of the biggest issue for the city's mayoral candidates.

Seven people are standing to take over from outgoing mayor Annette Main in next week's election.

Darryl Mallett has been speaking to the candidates as the host of Newstalk ZB Whanganui's local election coverage.

He said some locals have been telling him the $39 million plant is too big and too expensive, but many of the candidates disagree.

"Many of our mayoral candidates believe it's future-proofing the city.

"[They say] if a big industry does move to town and want to utilise it, that's just what needs to be spent on it right now."

He said voters have plenty of choices and he is expecting voter turn-out to be very high.

"People are really starting to get into the debates. I think there's a lot more people interested, so I think our voting rates are going to be a lot higher this year."

In Palmerston North, our second-largest inland city, most of the people standing for council will definitely get a job.

Mayor Grant Smith has only one challenger for his position, and only 28 people are standing for the council's 15 positions.

It's a similar story in the neighbouring Tararua, Horowhenua, Rangitikei and Ruapehu districts, where most candidates will also be elected.

PALMERSTON NORTH CITY COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Ross Barber – Team God
- Grant Smith

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- District at large – 28 candidates for 15 positions

WHANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Helen Craig
- Randhir Dahya
- Andy Jarden
- Hamish McDouall
- William Osborne
- Ray Stevens
- Alan Taylor

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- District at large – 33 candidates for 12 positions

HOROWHENUA DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Matt Clark
- Brendan Duffy
- Michael Feyen
- Anne Hunt

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Kere Kere ward – 6 candidates for 2 positions
- Miranui ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Levin ward – 10 candidates for 5 positions
- Waiopehu Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Foxton Community Board – 7 candidates for 5 positions

MANAWATU DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Margaret Kouvelis
- Helen Worboys

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Northern Manawatu Rural Ward – 3 candidates for 2 positions
- Southern Manawatu Rural Ward – 5 candidates for 3 positions
- Feilding Ward – 12 candidates for 5 positions

RANGITIKEI DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- George London
- Robert Snijders
- Andy Watson

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Taihape Ward – 4 candidates for 3 positions
- Hunterville Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Bulls Ward – 4 candidates for 2 positions
- Marton Ward – 10 candidates for 4 positions
- Turakina Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed

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

RUAPEHU DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Don Cameron
- Ben Goddard
- Peter Till
- Jacques Windell

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- Ohura Ward – 1 candidate elected unopposed
- Taumarunui Ward – 9 candidates for 5 positions
- National Park Ward – 2 candidates for 1 position
- Waimarino-Waiouru Ward – 5 candidates for 4 positions

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- National Park Community Board – 5 candidates for 4 positions

TARARUA DISTRICT COUNCIL

Voters will select a mayor from these candidates:
- Allan Benbow
- Ernie Christison
- Tracey Collis
- Shirley Hull
- Kay McKenzie

Voters will select councillors in these ward areas:
- North Tararua Ward – 10 candidates for 4 positions
- South Tararua Ward – 4 candidates elected unopposed

Voters will select local representatives in these community board areas:
- Dannevirke Community Board – 7 candidates for 4 positions
- Eketahuna Community Board – 4 candidates elected unopposed

MANAWATU-WANGANUI REGIONAL COUNCIL

Voters will select councillors in these constituencies:
- Horowhenua-Kairanga constituency – 5 candidates for 2 positions
- Manawatu-Rangitikei constituency – 2 candidates elected unopposed
- Palmerston North constituency – 6 candidates for 4 positions
- Ruapehu constituency – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Tararua constituency – 3 candidates for 1 position
- Wanganui constituency – 4 candidates for 2 positions

OTHER ELECTIONS

The following elections are also being held:
- Mid Central District Health Board – 18 candidates for 7 positions
- Whanganui District Health Board – 15 candidates for 7 positions