Voting for your local council and ward candidates closes at midday on Saturday.

You can drop your vote in one of the many ballot boxes dotted throughout supermarkets, libraries, and council buildings.

Councils are responsible for rates, rubbish management, local roads, animal policies such as whether you can keep hens in your backyard, how much it costs to swim at your local pool, and, for decades, they've been responsible for the provision of drinking, waste and storm water services although that looks set to change.

RNZ Nelson-based reporter Samantha Gee spoke to Māni Dunlop about the issues across the top of the South Island.