If you want to stand in this year's Waikato Regional Council elections then you'll need to register before noon this Friday.

The regional council has 12 vacancies across six general constituencies, and two vacancies in the two Māori constituencies.

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'The Waikato region is our home – it's where we live, work, study and play – and it's also important for New Zealand,” says chief executive Vaughan Payne.

'Standing for Waikato Regional Council is an incredible opportunity to make decisions on the wide range of important issues affecting the 440,000 people living in the Waikato region.”

Vaughan says councillors have real influence over the key issues affecting their families, friends and communities, and he encourages people interested in standing to put themselves forward.

The council needs elected members who'll work tireless to make the mighty Waikato the best it can be, with a healthy and sustainable environment, an economy that's going places, and communities that are as resilient as they are vibrant, he adds.

'Our council provides governance and management of the natural resources upon which our economy relies. We also provide protection against flooding to safeguard people and billions of dollars of urban property, productive farmland and national highways.”

Candidate nominations for the regional council close at noon on Friday, August 12.

For more information about standing in this year's Waikato Regional Council elections visit: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/elections.