But public concern about the Dunedin City Council's spending, debt and social policies was obvious as the campaign took its early, tentative steps.
The occasion was a mayoral candidates forum at the Caversham Presbyterian Church Hall, run by the Coastal Unity branch of the church.
All seven candidates turned up to state their case, and spent one and a-half hours answering questions from an audience of about 60 people.
Candidates took questions ranging from what they planned to do about debt, their views on social housing policy, the South Dunedin library, and whether councillors should also serve as directors on council-owned companies.
Other issues canvassed included concern about the introduction of water meters, and a question on whether the council's chief executive should be elected, rather than employed by the council.
While there was the occasional verbal shot fired between the candidates, the meeting stayed polite.
Organiser Wayne McLachlan said candidates for council seats were invited, but such was the "sheer number" for the new central ward, it was not feasible to include them in the formal part of the meeting.
