The event held at Ascot Park Hotel featured classic council topics such as rates, water and the cost of the museum build, but also ventured into unfiltered territory under the moderation of Duncan Garner.
Alex Crackett kicked things off by saying it was time to put Invercargill back on the map for the "right reasons".
Tom Campbell spoke to the view that the city was on a good trajectory by way of an old joke he had heard: will the last person to leave Invercargill please switch the lights out?
"Well, you don’t hear them laughing now."
He said the city had "turned the corner" and had a strong economy.
Economy was a topic also tabled by Steve Chernishov, who wanted to see the local version built up.
He said too much was being spent on companies which were not local.
Tom Morton described himself as a "grafter" who had followed his father’s advice to travel the world.
Andrew Clark, who is running for mayor in Tasman as Maxwell Clark, was challenged by Garner a number of times for wanting the job in two different places.
"If you win there and win here, will you be at every second council meeting? How will you split your time?" Garner asked.
Clark effectively conceded defeat in the Tasman race and said he would spend his time in Invercargill.
The event ended with a series of lighter questions, such as who candidates would vote for if they could not back themselves.
Both Ms Crackett and Mr Campbell picked each other, while Mr Pottinger and Ms Bond did the same.
Mr Chernishov picked Mr Pottinger, Mr Morton chose both Ms Bond and Mr Pottinger, and Mr Clark could not select just one person.
As far as de-stressing, Ms Crackett said she spent time with friends and enjoyed being a "technology buff", while Mr Pottinger revealed he ran at 4.30am before meditating with his wife and going back to bed.
Mr Chernishov enjoyed building projects, Ms Bond went to the gym and Mr Campbell indulged with whisky and a cigar.
All but one mayoral candidate was present at the debate, with Gordon McCrone being barred by the organiser for his connection to a controversial website.
Election Day is set for October 11.
