Sir Tim Shadbolt has a fight on his hands to retain the Invercargill mayoralty, with nine other people contesting the October election.

There are also 34 standing for the 12 positions as councillors.

Nominations for the Invercargill City Council, the Bluff Community Board and the Invercargill Licensing Trust closed at noon today.

Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said the end of the nomination period signalled the beginning of a busy time for both hopefuls and voters.

"The voting period begins on Friday, September 16 and ends on Saturday, October 8 at midday," Morris said.

"Now is the time for voters to look out for lots of information about candidates and different events being held so they can be informed and make a decision on who you want to represent you, the city and Bluff."

Council Chief Executive Clare Hadley said people are passionate about Council and its work.

"This is your moment to have your voice heard and to cast your vote for the person who represents what you want to see in our city,” Hadley said.

"Take the time to think about the issues we face as a community and who you think would best be suited to tackle them."

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, and Environment Southland have come together in collaboration for Vote Murihiku 2022 to encourage as many

people as possible across Murihiku Southland to take part in the elections this year.

There was a voting hub planned for the Invercargill Central mall on Esk St, which would be a place where people can come to get all the information they may need to take part in the democratic process, to drop off their postal vote, or do a special vote, Morris said.

For more information, visit https://icc.govt.nz/elections/ and to let candidates know what you think the real issues are visit https://letstalk.icc.govt.nz/

2022 Local Body Election Candidates are as follows:

Mayor:

Noel Peterson

Nobby Clark

Ria Bond

Tom Morton

Darren Ludlow

Stevey Chernishov

Toni Biddle

Tim Shadbolt

Marcus Lush

Jacqueline Walter

Council:

Noel Peterson

Tom Morton

Ria Bond

Tom Campbell

Trish Boyle

Bevan Smith

Malcolm Loan

David Pottinger

Lisa Tou-McNaughton

Darren Ludlow

Alex Crackett

Peter Kett

David Loudon

Lesley Soper

Allan Arnold

Kerry Hapuku

Ian Pottinger

Rebecca Amundsen

Barry Stewart

Grant Dermody

Kevin Mulrooney

Graham Lewis

Terry King

Karl Herman

Tim Shadbolt

Kevin Brown

Ian Edwards

Rick Morrell

Nigel Skelt

Francine Knowles

Eddie Blackburn

Peter Marshall

Dene Allen

Kari Graber

Bluff Community Board:

Ray Fife

Rach Bailey

Justin Sutherland

Monica Toretto

Tammi Topi

Marc Jarvis

Terina Stockwell

Murray Christensen

Sam Graham

Lyn Moore

Miguel Fernandez

Invercargill Licensing Trust:

Paddy O’Brien

Reece McDonald

Graham Hawkes

Mark Billcliff

Kirsten Diack

Sean Bellew

Suzanne Prentice

Sheree Carey

Louise Evans

Angela Newell

Mike Sanford

Nigel Low