With five days of voting left, it is becoming more likely this year's local elections will see the lowest voter turnout on record.

Latest figures show a total of 16,000 voting papers have been returned, which means just 19% of residents have voted so far.

That compares with 28% at the same time in 2010.

These figures reflect the trend of low vote returns in other parts of the country.

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are also reporting slower returns than this time three years ago.

Voting papers must be received by noon on Saturday.