Mr Aslett runs the Yellow Church Gallery and is one of the organisers of Fakes and Forgeries and plays a significant role in the campaign to retain Rangitikei's passenger rail stops, with a petition that gathered over 8000 signatures last year.
His job as a contract meter reader had given him "fantastic in-depth knowledge of the lay of the land and the people of the Rangitikei." He will give up the job if elected.
Maree Brannigan is standing on a "Fresh Future Focus" platform.
"My vision for Rangitikei is bold, brave and future focused. As mayor, I will strive for equity and work to achieve sustainable rural economies that ensure our businesses, environment and families thrive now and in the future, at home, in the Rangitikei.
"Thriving through good, local choices for quality Early Childhood Education (ECE), lifelong learning, health and wellbeing, elder care, business opportunities, career pathways, leisure activities, all underpinned by well-managed infrastructure affordability meeting residents' needs now and in the future" she said.
Ms Brannigan lives with her family in Mangaweka and is the executive officer for REAPANZ (Rural Education Activities Programme) and has been the manager at Ruapehu REAP based in Taihape for three years.
"I have been actively involved in the local community in a number of ways - restoring two heritage shops on the old Main Street of Mangaweka and establishing a cafe, gallery and art studio, part of the organising talent behind the Mangaweka Inaugural Fakes & Forgeries Arts Festival, committee member Rangitikei Tourism, developed Good as Goldie Museum.
"My skills developed in organisational leadership, not-for-profit management and local community development initiatives, alongside my energy, passion and faith in rural NZ are the foundations for a fresh future for Rangitikei."
Her top five issues are: Rates, amalgamation, town centres, equity and council process.