The political climate in Kaipara is one of nervousness ahead of this year's local body elections, according to the district's current and former leaders.
Chairman of the commissioners currently in charge of Kaipara District Council John Robertson said residents had come through a period of "hostility and anger" towards the council, after commissioners took charge in 2012 following the botched Mangawhai Community Wastewater Scheme, which led to spiralling debt.
Kaipara would return to full democracy on October 8 this year, with the election of eight councillors and a mayor.
"Some people are expressing anxiousness to me," Mr Robertson said of the elections. "Those concerns will go away as people put up their hand to stand. I'm responding to people in the community by saying, 'We must return to an elected council.' People need to start thinking seriously about whether they know people with some governance and community experience, and approaching them to put their hand up."
Former Kaipara deputy mayor Richard Bull said: "I know there's a bit of nervousness about which candidates will be stepping forward. Nearer the time, I'm sure it will become clearer."