They are a new Dunedin City Council initiative and can be viewed on websites for the council and the Otago Daily Times.
DCC deputy electoral officer Robyn Dillon said lack of information about candidates was one reason people did not vote.
"With such a large field of candidates putting their names forward this time around, we hope the videos are helpful for voters as they decide who to rank on their ballot papers," she said.
Sixteen candidates are standing for the mayoralty.
Only one can win, so most mayoralty candidates have also put their names forward for the 14 councillor positions available.
The field seeking councillor seats at the table is 54 long.
Ms Dillon said watching the 56 videos back to back would take about 80 minutes.
This could be done on the council’s YouTube channel or clips could be selected from a "view the candidates" page.
Candidates answered the same three questions: What are your top priorities for Dunedin in the next three years, why do you think you are right for the role and what do you see as the biggest opportunity on the horizon for Dunedin?
The ODT coverage of candidates for mayor and council also includes written responses to ODT questions.
Voting papers, as well as candidate statements, are due to arrive in letterboxes from Tuesday next week.
Voting closes at noon on October 11. — Allied Media
