Three Kaimai Ward councillors have jump-started the Western Bay of Plenty Mayoralty race for the upcoming local body elections.

Since Mayor Ross Paterson this week confirmed he will not seek re-election in October's elections three of his councillors – Gwenda Merriman, Don Thwaites and Garry Webber – have told SunLive they're running for the top job.

Western Bay of Plenty mayoralty candidates, from left: Gwenda Merriman, Garry Webber and Don Thwaites. Photo: File

Gwenda, who is Deputy Mayor, says she's standing due to upcoming changes and challenges of framework of local governance.

Don is campaigning on why Katikati, Omokoroa – and soon Te Puna – ratepayers pay an extra $20 per week in rates compared to Tauranga properties with similar valuations.

And Garry believes the time is right for change. 'As a council, we have been doing things reasonably well but with real focus we can be great. It is clear that sticking with the status quo will not best serve our communities.”

Gwenda puts her name forward after spending this term as Deputy Mayor, while this is Don's second punt at the job after running against Ross and Te Puke's Mark Boyle last election.

Garry is also new to contesting the mayoralty, but does so with support from fellow Kaimai Ward councillor Margaret Murray-Benge, who believes he is 'the right person to lead us through the next stage that local government is facing”.

Garry Webber.

Garry, a Kaimai Ward councillor for two terms and former general manager of milk supply for Fonterra, says he's confident his experience in leading large scale operations, and delivering cost effective and efficient services will be very valuable to the Western Bay of Plenty District.

'As Mayor, I will draw on my successful management and leadership expertise to ensure we at council are doing things efficiently for the greater good of the significant majority.

'I believe that in the wider Bay of Plenty we have an opportunity to do things differently and show the rest of New Zealand that we are an innovative and strongly-led region.”

Don is this time campaigning on why Katikati, Omokoroa – and soon Te Puna – ratepayers pay an extra $20 per week in rates compared to Tauranga properties with similar valuations.

Don Thwaites.

He says Te Puke ratepayers also pay $20 extra in rates to WBOPDC compared to what similarly-valued Papamoa properties pay Tauranga City Council.

'I want to bring this issue out in the open, start talking about it, and start addressing it.”

'I don't know what the final answer will be – we might never be able to match Tauranga while still a separate entity – but there has to be a better number difference than $1040 per year.”

To lower this cost, Don says he'll challenge TCC on every cost-sharing arrangement WBOPDC has with them.

Don is also championing the Tauranga Northern Link, the proposed 6.8km of new highway from the intersection of State Highway 2 and Loop Rd north of Te Puna to Route K in Tauranga City.

Meanwhile, Gwenda takes being Deputy Mayor as a real privilege and has good reason to vie for the mayoralty for the next term.

Gwenda Merriman.

'I see the framework of local governance will be going through some real changes as we go forward and there will be a lot of challenges.

'And we need to be working as communities and alongside all of our local government and regional partners to ensure we get the best outcomes possible.

'We've got some big discussions to be had around the rationalisation of costs, ensuring we have cost-effective delivery of services across the bay; that all of this is benefiting our communities.”

'And most important is our communities are part of these discussions going forward.”

And Te Puke's Mark Boyle has confirmed to SunLive he will not stand for mayor this election.

The triennial local body elections for Western Bay of Plenty is on October 8, 2016.