A former high-profile tourism director Oscar Nathan is a late addition in the race for one of 10 seats on the Rotorua Lakes Council.

Nominations for all local body elections closed at midday today.

Though these days his profile is a little lower, Oscar has been seen as a ‘comer' for many years, as he held the most senior position on the local council's tourism board.

At the time of his elevation, at a relatively young age, the mayor of the day Grahame Hall publicly said of his talent that it was unlikely Rotorua would hold him.

Now 47, having held many positions in the tourism industry, he remains in Rotorua.

But it has not all been free tickets and junkets. It meant a lot of hard work, including the ignominy of busting a leg in a car accident following a seizure at the wheel.

He has not driven a car since.

Through it all, he has retained his inherent talent of working consummately in the Maori and pakeha worlds.

Now he is one of 34 aspirants for 10 seats on the council, with two experienced councillors - Charles Sturt and Karen Hunt - announcing their retirements.

The remaining eight councillors have been nominated for another term, signalling what should prove an intensive campaign for the triennial elections on Saturday, October 12.

Among the newer faces is Sandra Kai Fong, a Rotorua lawyer, who has already spent several terms on the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust. Another is Shirley Trumper, who is also standing for the rural board.

Attempting to extent his NZ record of current local authority service is former deputy mayor Trevor Maxwell.

Trevor first became a councillor in 1977, expanding to 42 years' service which he is planning to make 45 years. (The longest record of service was held by Grey District councillor and deputy mayor, Doug Truman, defeated at the 2016 polls after 48 consecutive years.)

Against the norm of recent years, only three mayoral candidates – incumbent Steve Chadwick, Rob Kent and Reynold Macpherson – have forwarded their nominations.

Earlier, John Rakei-Clark had signalled his intention to vie again for the mayoralty, but three weeks ago was nominated only or a councillor seat.

The confirmed list is:

Mayor (1): Steve Chadwick, Rob Kent, Reynold Macpherson.

Councillors (10): Peter Bentley, Liz Carrington, Richard Collins, Kevin Coutts, Brendan Davis, Alan Deverson, Dave Donaldson, Mark Gould, Ryan Gray, Bill Hedges, Trish Hosking, Peter Jones, Sandra Kai Fong, Rob Kent, Julie Kerry, Raj Kumar, Reynold Macpherson, Matthew Martin, Trevor Maxwell, Lachlan McKenzie, Lance Mutlow, Oscar Nathan, Conan O'Brien, John Rakei-Clark, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Linda Rowbotham, Harina Rinaha Rupapera, Alan Tane Solomon, Kaya Sparke, Tania Tapsell, Shirley Trumper, Fisher Wang, Bam Whare, Mercia Yates.

Rotorua Lakes Community Board (4): Nick Chater, Allan Estcourt, Sandra Goodwin, Robin Manuel, Jennifer Rothwell, Phill Thomass.

Rotorua Rural Community Board (4): Rachel Clark, Janine Dorman, Bryce Heard, Ben Hollier, Sarah Thomson, Shirley Trumper.