Tauranga City councillor Clayton Mitchell is putting the choice of whether he stays in his current role if elected to parliament this September in the hands of the people of the city.

Following being named Tauranga's NZ First candidate last month – and stating he'll keep his councillor job if he makes it to the Beehive – Clayton's been plagued by allegations he'll be double-dipping and taking on a workload too tough for most dignitaries.

Tauranga City councillor Clayton Mitchell. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

The 42-year-old says if elected into a Government coalition he will resign, but if he gets into opposition he wants to the public to decide the fate of his council role.

People can vote on SunLive as to what he should do – stay or go?

'The result of this poll will be binding,” says Clayton. 'That goes by our policies at NZ First of wanting to introduce binding referendum; I'll stick with what the people say.”

The first thing he wishes to clear up is the allegation the Mayor wants him to stand down if elected.

'It always gets back to what Mayor Stuart Crosby was quoted in the media – but he was misquoted.

'I spoke to Stuart the morning of the announcement, and he was in full support. We both agreed then I would give it six months and if I couldn't do the job I would stand down.”

Clayton says a role in politics was never on the cards when he ran for TCC. His motivation for parliament is to gain additional power to bring positive change to Tauranga.

'I never had a political radar. I always had a political opinion, but never had I thought one day I would be a politician.”

He says it was approaching NZ First about local issues as a TCC councillor that led to the appointment.

'I'm very passionate about what I want to do locally. Council has a lot to do and say about what happens, but they're ultimately driven by legislation at the top end.

'That's why I think having a conduit in council and government is a real win-win.”

Clayton's driving force was pushing for Government to take Route K's $63 million debt from TCC, an issue solved this week when NZTA announced it would pay all but $1m of the debt.

Other top local issues include removing the Rena wreck, securing safe tsunami escape routes and implementing a proven youth/business operation to get more young people in the workforce.

'I think we need someone fighting and being tenacious about the issues effecting people from Tauranga.”

Clayton, who has owned seven businesses and managed more than 250 staff, says balancing roles has never been a difficulty. He also says it was never about the money and is promising to give up his $70,000 council salary if elected.

'I won't be taking a salary from TCC if I'm elected, he says. I want it to be clear my position is one of passion, not payment.”

He sold his Mount Maunganui business Ivory when he was elected into TCC and will consider selling his other bar Mount Mellick if the need arises after September, he says.

His council position is a '30-plus hour job a week”. He's in council chambers three-four days a week, and meeting with constituents outside that.

'Yes, if I go down to Wellington three days a week 30 weeks of the year I won't be in town, but it doesn't mean I can't come back and work Friday to Monday.

Clayton's first priority is as a husband to wife Erika and father to his three children aged three, six and eight.

He believes he can juggle all roles to the benefit of Tauranga and has the full support of his family.

'I love Tauranga and I love this work. I'm up until 2am emailing and doing things; I don't sleep a lot, and I'm confident I can do this.

'But I want the people of Tauranga to have their say, and at the end of the day I will listen to them.”

To have your say on Clayton's decision vote here.

The poll will close midday Friday, September 5.