Voters in the Western Bay of Plenty will be electing a few new faces to their district council in the upcoming elections with at least two current councillors not seeking re-election.

They will also be voting in 11 councillors instead of 12 after the Local Government Commission decided early this year to split the district into three wards – consisting of the Eastern ward (Te Puke and Maketu), Central (Kaimai, Omokoroa and Te Puna) and Western (Waihi Beach, Katikati and Matakana Island), replacing the existing five-ward, 12-councillor structure.

Western Bay and regional councillors standing for re-election.

Waihi Beach ward first-term councillor Anne Gilmer has told SunLive she is not re-standing due to health reasons.

She joins Maketu ward councillor Sue Matthews is also not seeking re-election – instead deciding to stand for the Bay of Plenty District health board.

'I am retiring after six years on the council. I have learned lots and enjoyed the challenge – and I have now put my nomination in for BOPDHB,” says Sue.

Western Bay Mayoral Race

After being elected unopposed last election Mayor Ross Paterson will this time have some competition for the top job with Te Puke Economic Development Group managing director Mark Boyle being the current known challenger for his role. The pair could still get more rivals with candidate nominations closing this Friday, August 16.

Kaimai ward councillor Don Thwaites, who has served one and a half terms on the council – being elected Ross Paterson's seat when he was elevated to Mayor following the death of Graeme Weld in 2008 – is planning to defend his seat.

Fellow Kaimai ward councillors Garry Webber and Gwenda Merriman – who are both currently serving their first term – are also seeking re-election. Margaret Murray-Benge, who first won her seat in 2004 when unsuccessfully contesting Graeme Weld for Western Bay Mayor, has also lodged her candidacy.

Katikati ward councillor Norm Mayo is seeking re-election to his seat which he gained back last election as part of a ticket for the Katikati Affordable Progress Team (KAPT) after a one-term break.

Mike Williams, who has been in his seat for two terms, is also re-standing.

Te Puke ward councillors Maureen Burgess (in her second term), Michael Pittar (in his first-term on council – but was the last Mayor of Te Puke and first Mayor of Western Bay and was out of local body politics for 15 years before seeking re-election in 2010) are seeking re-lection to their posts.

Fellow Te Puke councillor Paul Thomas is seeking re-election too, and says he is also keen 'to continue on as Deputy Mayor” in the next term.

Maketu ward councillor Kevin Marsh, who has served three terms, is also seeking re-election.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Of the 12 currently elected Bay of Plenty Regional councillors only two have decided they will not stand again this election.

Katikati dairy farmer Ian Noble, 75, will not stand for a Western Bay of Plenty at large seat for first time since the council was introduced in 1989. He is retiring after spending 24 years on the council, saying he hopes to see fresh faces with new ideas be elected next term, with the Government signalling changes are ahead for councils and the RMA processes.

'My hope is this can lead to greater efficiencies and opportunities for local participation and involvement,” says Ian.

'I think there is opportunity for someone without my experience and with a different background to look at things. It's also an opportune time for a new dynamic with new people and new vision – not shackled by the past.”

Fellow regional councillor Jim Mansell, who has been elected to the Eastern Bay of Plenty General electorate for the council for the last two terms, has decided not to stand again.

Jim, aged 61, served in the police force for 32 years and is a former Eastern Bay of Plenty Police area commander.

'I am not standing again. I have done six years – and learned an incredible amount, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. But it's a full time job and I cannot commit that amount of time.”

When SunLive contacted Phillip Sherry, who holds a Tauranga General seat, he would not divulge his intentions, saying: 'decisions will follow.”

However, his fellow elected councillors in the Tauranga general electorate, Paula Thompson, Doug Owens and John Cronin say they are standing for their seats once again.

John, who has been regional council chairman for 12 years, says he wants to continue in the role if re-appointed by his fellow councillors.

'I would like to continue if I have their support,” says John.

'This is a time that Local Government is possibly undergoing proposed changes through Central Government.”

Both current Rotorua General regional councillors Lyall Thurston and Neil Oppatt are intending to re-stand this election.

Eastern Bay electorate councillor Malcolm Whitakker, in his fourth term, is standing for his seat again.

Meanwhile, Western Bay electorate councillor Jane Nees, in her second term, is also seeking re-election.

In the Maori constituencies, Raewyn Bennett is seeking re-election to the Mauao seat, Tipene Marr is standing stand again for the Kohi Maori seat; and Tai Eru is putting his hat in the ring for Okurei Maori.