The number of votes cast so far in the local body elections is up by between 5% and 10% compared to the same time during the 2007 elections.
Election NZ, which processes the votes for 35 councils, says about 25% of voters have made their picks for mayor, councillors, and representatives on community and district health boards.
It expects votes would have doubled by the time the polls close on Saturday.
The highest turnouts so far are in smaller district councils in the South Island and east coast of the North Island.
Voting returns have barely hit 20% in Wellington, while 27% of voters have cast ballots in the Auckland super city poll.
