Several mayoralty candidates were among the 22 people making their pitches for election votes at an event hosted by Opoho Presbyterian Church yesterday.
Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich highlighted what he saw as progress or successes under his mayoralty, such as the State Highway 1 one-way system being retained, George St being "driveable", and having practical plans in place for water infrastructure.
"I’ve delivered on all the things I said I would last time," he said.
One of the main challengers for his job, Andrew Simms, pointed to his own success as a businessman selling cars and in leading groups of people.
The candidates were asked about their favourite books and Mr Simms held one aloft that he said was about winning local elections.
He claimed to have received it from mayoralty rival Lee Vandervis, and noted it did not seem to have been read.
Cr Vandervis is making his eighth bid for the mayoralty, and he looks set to be one of the speakers tonight.
Mayoralty candidate Marie Laufiso said racism was the worst thing about Dunedin.
Benedict Ong was one mayoralty candidate wanting to see more economic growth.
Dunedin was a special city, but "our economy is not as special as our city is", he said.
Another candidate for the top job, Lianna MacFarlane, said she wanted to bring financial security to the council and "stop wasteful spending".
Council candidate Russell Lund noted the council’s plan for $2billion of capital spending in the next nine years and said he could cut $300 million out of it.
Bruce Ranga, on Mr Simms’ Future Dunedin ticket, said council spending had to be disciplined and sustainable.
"Dunedin must be affordable for the people who call it home," he said.
Cr Steve Walker said wellbeing was not a "nice-to-have".
Candidates were asked about recreational activities and Lync Aronson seemed to stretch what might count, mentioning his door-knocking campaign.
After a series of unfavourable comments about Dunedin’s chilly weather, Future Dunedin candidate Bex Twemlow looked on the bright side — calling the weather dramatic, rather than dreary.
Mr Radich’s favourite film was Groundhog Day and Green Party council candidate Lily Warring said her favourite was Back to the Future.
This was not a political choice, she said.
