With the race now on for candidates to net some of the most influential roles in our region in the local body elections – voters are starting to ponder who they bestow their support.

To help you make the most informed and educated decision in voting in the local body elections, SunLive is providing in-depth, fair and balanced coverage of election issues, candidates, along with an exclusive Mayoral debate.

As part of this commitment, SunLive is providing a free to view online resource featuring all of the candidates standing for Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and BOP Regional Council.

Supplied by the candidates themselves, today, we are offering statements from those standing for each constituency of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

To get to know who these people are, why they are standing and what they are standing for – you can view this page throughout the election campaign process – voting runs from September 20 to October 12.

To view the Regional Council candidates click here.