Two past and present Tauranga City Councillors are eyeing a central government role with both announcing intentions to run for party candidacy to represent Tauranga in this year's general election.

First-term city councillor Steve Morris and former councillor Murray Guy have both put forward their names for the National Party's Bay of Plenty seat, and NZ First's Tauranga candidacy, respectively.

City councillor Steve Morris is running for National Party candidacy in the Bay of Plenty seat.

Former city councillor Murray Guy is seeking nomination at Tauranga's NZ First candidate.

For Steve, the move comes just six months after successfully winning the Papamoa/Mount Maunganui seat alongside Clayton Mitchell in the local body elections.

He says although the timing is not ideal, he could not pass up the opportunity made possible after current BOP MP Tony Ryall announced he was retiring from politics at the end of the term.

'I didn't think the opportunity would come up for quite some time. What really convinced me was I had quite a lot of comment from people who were suggesting that we need a strong local voice,” says Steve.

'Whilst the timing is not ideal the opportunity may not come up for another 10 to 15 years and so I decided to take the opportunity now.”

Steve's nomination sees him join Fonterra executive Todd Muller and about six others in competing for the vacant National Party candidacy.

Despite looking to leave council after such a short stint and the potential negative view the public might have on a by-election, expected to cost $70,000, Steve is confident he will still represent the same people if elected.

'On reflection I think it's representing the same people if I was successful at a higher level and I think that it's in the best interest of our city as a whole to have a strong local candidate so that's why I'm putting my name forward.”

Steve says putting his name forward is not something he took lightly. He spoke with fellow councillors and Mayor Stuart Crosby about his decision.

'Stuart actually asked me after Tony resigned whether I was considering and I said ‘yes I was'. He was saying ‘look this is just the normal part of the democratic process'.”

Former city councillor Murray Guy is throwing his hat into the ring for the Tauranga electorate under the NZ First banner, as he aims for a heftier role in politics. Murray lost his seat at TCC after 12 years in last year's October election.

'Clearly 12 years at council I was continually battling my head against a bureaucracy that didn't share my thoughts and vision and here is an opportunity with the support of NZ First to make a difference,” says Murray.

'I have never seriously considered a political involvement other than city councillor until more recent times, as in very recent in fact. Primarily that's because as a city councillor I was able to, and maintain, a clear independent approach to the role.

'I confess to a concern that during my 12 years as a city councillor I never once had a sitting MP from any party approach me just to ask how they could assist me in my role.”

Murray admits the political passion has been building after he was approached to speak to the party's members the day after Tauranga City Council election results were released.

Walking away from the meeting, Murray says he felt totally comfortable with standing in front and representing the party's members, who he believes also share his with my political philosophies.

'We were subsequently spoken to by NZ First who I know have spoken to a number of different people, initially we were extremely hesitant because of those preconditions,” says Murray.

'But the more I considered the option that being a NZ First candidate offered I'm recognising now that there are real opportunities to make a real difference around here.”