In 2001, David Clarke, the Lakes District Museum director, stood unopposed for the Arrowtown ward and when he stood down in 2004, John R.
Wilson stepped in, also standing unopposed, for the past two terms.
For the 2010 election, however, it's a two-horse race, with existing councillor Lex Perkins standing for the Arrowtown seat - nominated by Cr Wilson - and newcomer Simon Spark, the Arrowtown Rugby Club president, also putting his hat in the ring.
The five would be hosted in Arrowtown next week by the Arrowtown Village Association, with Mr Perkins and Mr Spark squaring off at a "meet-the-candidates" evening, along with Mr Hayes, Mr Scott and Cr van Uden.
Association spokesman Richard Newman said the evening was a chance for the town's residents to put the candidates "under the microscope".
Each candidate would give a five-minute address, followed by questions from the floor.
"If [residents] want to be part of the process, they need to come and listen to each candidate speak.
"If they've got a gripe, they should come and listen."
Mr Newman said Arrowtown faced very different pressures than the rest of the district, with the major issues being the growth of the town, whether or not its boundary should be extended and protecting Arrowtown's heritage while ensuring its infrastructure was acceptable.
"If people are sitting on the fence [about attending the meeting or voting in the election], or they've got a concern, they need to come and listen to the candidates."
It was just as important for the residents to hear from the three mayoral candidates - one of whom would represent the district within a month.
The candidates evening will be held at Fox's Bar, underneath the New Orleans Hotel, from 5pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday.
