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Auckland City Deputy Mayor Bruce Hucker has followed Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis in bowing out of local politics, leaving behind what could be a new political landscape.
Former MPs-turned-talkback hosts John Banks, John Tamihere and Willie Jackson are among the contenders with mayoral ambitions in Auckland.
Mr Banks is out to win back Auckland City from Dick Hubbard, Mr Tamihere is out to break Bob Harvey's 15-year hold on Waitakere and Mr Jackson is signalling a hard campaign for Manukau to 10 other challengers, including lawyer Len Brown, former Olympic runner Dick Quax and former TV news reader Craig Little.
When nominations closed at noon yesterday for the October 13 local body elections, Dr Hucker's name was the noticeable omission.
The main voice for the centre-left for 21 years had been keeping everyone guessing about his future since falling out with his City Vision colleagues over water charges.
Dr Hucker, 63, said he felt "some disappointment" over the circumstances behind his retirement from local politics but was exploring other avenues of public service.
The Auckland City mayoral race has attracted a field of 15 candidates, including adult entertainment businessman Steve Crow, who pulled a crowd of tens of thousands to Wednesday's Boobs on Bikes parade in central Auckland.
Mr Crow is adamant his bid is not a stunt and has registered the name 1Auckland.com to push for a super city. This has angered another super city group, One Auckland Trust, which has dissociated itself from Mr Crow.
Also in the running are Heart of the City chief executive Alex Swney, first-term councillor John Hinchcliff, activists Lisa Prager, Coralie van Camp and Elaine West and Steve Taylor, deputy leader of the Direct Democracy Party, which promotes binding, citizens-initiated referendums.
Growing talk of a super city - the Government is setting up a royal commission on the issue - has seen former Work and Income chief Christine Rankin standing for the Auckland Regional Council. In three years, this body could be beefed up to become the Greater Auckland Council.
Labour list MP and former Birkenhead and North Shore mayor Ann Hartley is standing for the Harbour ward of North Shore City Council. If successful, she said, she would resign from Parliament in the New Year.
Former MPs turning to local council politics include Brian Neeson and Penny Webster, both for the Rodney mayoralty, Grant Gillon for North Shore City Council and Arthur Anae for the Manukau City mayoralty and council.
Mr Neeson's wife, Vanessa, is seeking re-election to the Waitakere City Council and their son Michael is standing for the Massey Community Board and Waitakere Licensing Trust.
Among candidates for the Auckland District Health Board is former deputy prime minister Bob Tizard, who was a Labour MP for 30 years.
In North Shore, Mayor George Wood is seeking a fourth term, but faces a challenge from another former policeman, Callum Blair, who is courting the protest vote against any commercial airport at Whenuapai Air Base. The council and its citizens are split over whether the base should have commercial flights. Although it is in Waitakere City, many North Shore homes lie under its flight path.
In Waitakere there is a flash of nostalgia with Wayne Davis running for the council under the banner "Shadbolt Independent". Mr Shadbolt, now seeking to retain the Invercargill mayoralty, began his career in local body politics in West Auckland.
In Rodney District nine people are aiming to replace retiring mayor John Law, who has led the council since April 2001.
Mayoral contestants in addition to Mrs Webster and Mr Neeson include councillor Wayne Walker and Puhoi businessmen Larry Mitchell.
A feature of the election for councillors is the challenge for the three Hibiscus Coast Ward seats by the Penlink ticket, which is pushing for a shortcut between the North Shore and Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
A lively contest is also shaping up in the election for the Rodney representative on the Auckland Regional Council. Rivals are ARC deputy chairman Christine Rose, former ARC councillor Brian Smith and district councillor Bill Smith.
In Franklin, Mayor Mark Ball is being challenged by Mauku resident William Cotter. Franklin-Papakura's long-serving representative on the Auckland Regional Council, Dianne Glenn, faces three opponents.
In addition to mayoralty, district and regional council and community board elections, district health board elections are also being held. Nearly 430 people are nominated for the 21 DHBs, with seven elected positions available on each board.
Voting papers will be sent to people on the electoral roll on September 21. Results should be known on the night of October 13.
