Tauranga City Councillors Murray Guy and Rick Curach are not standing for a ward at the next election and have instead opted for the at-large seats.
There are only four at-large seats that people can contest at the next election, which would make it harder for Murray and Rick to gain re-election.
Murray Guy wanted the community to know his intentions early and says it is undemocratic that some do not publicise their intentions until the last minute.


Councillors Murray Guy and Rick Curach.

He wants the system changed so people have to notify their intentions at least nine months out from the election.
He says there could be a three month period where people can 'pull the plug” if they choose.
'The system is flawed. It doesn't provide the best service for the nominee and it doesn't give the community the opportunity to choose the best candidate.”
If he knew who all the candidates were, Murray says he might decide another candidate was a better option and choose to back them and cancel his candidacy.
Rick Curach reportedly decided to stand for an at-large seat because he wanted to be consistent with his previous position.
Murray says he wants to represent people from across Tauranga and not just one particular ward.
'I'm a very citywide person. I was born here and I have a good relationship with people from Bethlehem to Pyes Pa to Papamoa and the whole city.”
Murray also says he wanted to leave the ward seats open to new candidates, who may find it harder to get elected.
'For a new person on the block a ward seat would be less difficult to get themselves known and that's why a lot of people out there are doing just that.”