Clear your calendar for September – ‘meet the candidate' events are being set up for voters to get know aspiring Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty representatives.

With the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty mayoralties open to new contenders – now is the time to have your voice heard by researching and voting for the right candidates.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec wants voters to meet candidates, do their research – then vote – with a lot stake this local body elections.

That's the message from the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, as it organises three upcoming events to meet the candidates among a variety on offer across the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty council districts.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec says they're running three events – on September 15, 20 and 22 – to create more awareness of the elections and have better quality discussion around some of the issues that are important to voters.

'So while the chamber is organising some of these events – they are not just going to be confined to business subjects or business-related issues.

'It's a chance for us to canvas the whole gamut of what's on voter's minds and give people to hear directly from the candidates.”

Stan says their chamber's first event, called Meet the Mayoral Candidates Evening, on September 15 at Totara Street Mauao Performing Arts Centre from 5pm, is aimed at younger people meeting the nominees for Tauranga's top local government job.

'It's very important for younger people to meet the mayoralty candidates. They are the future of the city – and if they're wanting to have an influence on the way this city goes then they need to be getting out there and getting themselves informed – and letting the mayoral candidates hear what they are thinking,” says Stan.

The chamber's 'big” event is the Tauranga Mayoral Candidates Forum on September 20 at Tauranga Art Gallery from 5pm.

'I think this a very important opportunity for Tauranga voters to basically decide who they want to have represent them going forward for the city's future,” says Stan.

This is followed by a Meet the Candidates Forum on September 22 at Tauranga Art Gallery from 5pm.

Eleven people have flung their hat in the ring to contest the Tauranga Mayoralty in October, while five others have signed up to win Western Bay of Plenty's top seat.

Stan says the choice does bode well for voters. 'Yes – it's good sign that a lot of people are interested or put their hand up for the role – particularly of mayor.

'I think it's really important that voters take the opportunity to come and listen to what each individual person has to say and offer – and make their own mind up as to who they can support.

'Otherwise we run the risk of a less than ideal turnout. But I'm confident we will get a good turnout this year simply because we've got such a lot at stake and so many people in the race.

'But it's really important voters come along and become aware of who the people are and hear what the issue and policies are of those who are standing for office.”

'I think historically the turnout in Tauranga has been on the low side – but I'm hopeful we will get a strong turnout, particularly Tauranga.”

To learn more about the chamber events, phone Anne Pankhurst on 07 577 8955.

A Meet the Candidates event for Western Bay of Plenty District voters is on September 14 at The Orchard Church, Te Puke, from 6.30pm-9pm.

An impromptu election candidates meeting is being organised for next Saturday morning September 10 on the Edgewater fan.

Mayoral candidate Murray Guy is organising the Saturday morning meeting for people who may not be able to make the others.

He's booked the Edgewater Fan from 11am until 12.30pm on September 10.

Coast broadcaster Brian Kelly will MC the event. Further details of the meeting are yet to be confirmed.