The Tauranga mayoral race is heating up with two notable Kiwis throwing their hats in the ring to lead the town.
It will be the first time the city has had a mayor since 2020 after government-appointed commissioners took over when Tenby Powell resigned citing a dysfunctional council.
Former Olympian Mahé Drysdale and singer-songwriter Ria Hall are both vying for the top job and joined AM on Monday to make their case.
AM co-host Lloyd Burr asked the candidates a series of questions starting with why they would make a good mayor.
Hall told Burr she decided to run because she feels the city needs "change" and a "fresh, diverse perspective".
Drysdale meanwhile said he feels it's "an exciting opportunity for Tauranga".
"Not often do you get to start from scratch and that's exactly what's happening coming off the commissioners," he said.
While Drysdale doesn't currently live in the town, he grew up there and plans to relocate if he wins.
Burr then asked what makes each candidate qualified.
Hall said her experience across several boards and education in political science makes her a strong fit for the role.
"I've got a background in governance, and I also studied political science at the University of Waikato, and I am currently completing my master's in regional development through the University of Auckland," she said.
"I am a business owner, I have a background in communications and strategic development, and I am also a mamma who educates her children in Tauranga."
Drysdale meanwhile said he was director for much of his rowing career and has been a trustee for several charities, along with currently chairing the Athletes Cooperative.
"There's a number of things I've had experience at that level, but also believe that throughout that rowing career, it was around working in a team and that's what Tauranga needs to be delivered to make Tauranga a great city."
Burr then asked each candidate what they thought was the biggest issue facing Tauranga.
Drysdale said he believed it was infrastructure and housing.
"Obviously on the back of that, we need to fix our transport and our roads to make sure we've got the capacity for all the people to get around, he said.
He added like most councils, Tauranga is facing a funding shortfall and his background as an accountant will be an asset.
Hall said housing is the biggest issue for the city and high-density housing is crucial to fixing the shortage. But she added it cannot come at the expense of the city's biodiversity and green spaces.
She said being a coastal town, it's also crucial Tauranga has resilient infrastructure to deal with climate change.
"We want to be well placed and well prepared for any events that might happen in terms of the weather. Insurance is also problematic, so we want to make sure the council is there to support insurance and provide the frameworks as we continue to grow.
Hall said driving around the city is difficult and it's holding up productivity.
"We want to ensure multi methods of travelling are an option for Tauranga. The roads are insufficient."
Former Deputy Mayor Tina Salisbury, B A Friend, Chudleigh Haggett and Douglas Owens have also in the running to be mayor.
Watch the full interview above.
