The Meet the Candidates events were held on Tuesday evening in Waikaka and Thursday evening in Mataura.
The events had both mayoral candidates, incumbent mayor Ben Bell and challenger and former councillor Nicky Davis, who began the evenings with introductory speeches.
The Waikaka event showcased the "Gore at large" candidates Neville Phillips, Gary McIntyre, Torrone Smith and Steven "Boko" Dixon - Joe Stringer absent due to his wife being in labour.
The Gore rural ward candidates did not take part, as Stewart MacDonell and John Gardyne will be running unchallenged for the seats, although Cr Gardyne did speak at the event.
The initial speeches passed without much input beyond cheering and scoffs, but when the Q&A came, all bets were off.
The Waikaka Hall began to heat up as the community voiced their frustrations with the perceived lack of financial scrutiny, rates rises and decisions made by the council.
Cr Phillips and Mr Bell faced particular scrutiny as members of the council, being held responsible by the crowd.
Roading in rural areas was a particular contention, with calls for it to be funded more being applauded in the room.
Other issues which provoked heckling included Environment Southland’s climate change action report, the sites of significance to Maori and Cr Phillips being grilled over a dog kennel implemented by the council, purported to cost $270,000 - which one audience member decried repeatedly to the councillor.
The Mataura meeting, hosted by the local Lions group, featured the at-large candidates and mayoral candidates alongside others, including Nicky Coats, running unopposed for the Mataura seat, the Gore ward candidates, the Mataura Community Board candidates and Kylie Aitken, running for the Mataura Licensing Trust.
The host had his work cut out for him as the crowd began to heckle during a microphone issue, one audience member insisting they should use their voices, not a microphone, if they were to represent them on local council.
Again the topic of rates was hot, alongside questions over the chief executive Debbie Lascelle’s efficacy in her role, how the council operates with a chief executive and expenses from the operational side.
One Mataura resident, when the topic of outside businesses being welcomed into the district was put forth by Mr Bell, asked why local businesses were not being encouraged - stating her business had been hamstrung for years by the council.
Mr Bell said he was unaware of the issue but insisted he was a supporter of local business and was looking at all avenues to grow Gore.
Parks and recreation spending was grilled in both meetings.
