Western Bay of Plenty District mayor Garry Webber wants to remind locals and those visiting the area to keep safe and enjoy their time during Christmas and New Year's.

'Keep yourselves safe, keep in touch with your family and peace on earth to all. Violence has no part to play in life at all.

He says personally he is expecting a slow and casual Christmas, spent with family.

'Our daughter is coming to stay with us, from Christchurch and we'll be spending most of the summer break with family and friends.

'Hopefully people from out of town want to call in for a bit of sustenance.”

He says he's looking forward to having time off.

'Council is closed through to early January so we get a good break. I'm feeling a bit sorry for the staff who work through the break though, people want their water to come and their roads free so some staff have to work 24/7.”

His ultimate summer advice is to slip, slop, slap and wrap.

'I'm not comfortable with sun myself, so my advice would be to use plenty of sunblock, look after yourself and your family.