Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan hopes to return for a second term in office, to carry on representing the district he loves.
Mr Cadogan says he will strive to enhance the district's position and growth while ensuring decision-making aligns with residents' ability to meet rates.
He hopes to carry on with initiatives like the Ready, Steady, Work programme, which aims to give confidence and skills to the district's youth before helping them into employment.
Why are you standing for mayor?
''I believe I have a lot to offer this district - my passion, experience, vision and determination.
"I also have a diverse background, having worked at Finegand, shearing, owned a farm, sold real estate and owned a business. This has given me a broad understanding of the issues confronting our district. This enables me to formulate responses that best reflect a balance of all ratepayers' needs.
''I stand rigidly to my principles and beliefs, namely a 'fair go' for all and a fundamental commitment to move this district forward at a pace that reflects our ratepayers' ability to pay. You know the total commitment you will get from me and the pride I have in holding this position.''
Will you be a fulltime mayor and why?
''I promise to continue to work fulltime as mayor, as I believe our district deserves no less, and in fact there has never been a day in the last three years that I have not been invigorated and energised at the prospect.
"Put simply, if a request for my attendance at an event comes in, my answer is always 'yes', unless already committed. Clutha is such a huge district and it has been such a tonic to meet so many neat people and support so many great projects.
''I am also exceptionally proud of Allyson's support and contribution, and we both agree that being Clutha's mayor is a privilege worthy of total commitment.''
What position do you think the district is in?
''Strong. Comparatively, we have weathered recent economic conditions well, with our traditional rural strength providing a rigidity to our local economy that would be the envy of many districts.
"Growth, especially in sectors like dairy, has provided a robustness and strength, but we must also acknowledge the challenges confronting many sectors of our economy such as retail.
''From a council perspective, we are fundamentally in an enviable position, in fact a recent independent national survey placed us first equal amongst all authorities.
"But we will not rest on our laurels and shall always strive to enhance our district's position with initiatives such as exploring potential advantages to our ratepayers through regional collaborations in areas such as roading and information technology.''
What are three issues facing this council and why?
''Roading issues dominate our district's focus. These challenging times demand we maximise return on every dollar and continue searching for effective ways to maintain services while fighting for our share of government funding.
''Rate affordability and our moral responsibility to ensure our decision-making aligns with our citizen's ability to pay will always remain an issue dear to my heart.
''Finally, I believe the future of regional and district development initiatives I have created, like the 'Ready Steady Work' programme, hinge on this election's results.
"We're just starting to see such positive economic and social gains and it would be a tragedy if this maximising of all our youth's potential was lost.''
What would be one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term, and why?
''To have instilled a greater awareness throughout our district of the driving forces that determine our council's decision-making and subsequent spending.
"I believe understanding the pace and size of discretionary projects and Government's impositions on council's decision-making holds the key to individuals and communities taking a greater control of their destiny and an increased ownership of the process.
''The desire to have our district positively move forward at a pace that reflects of all our citizen's ability to pay is not only fiscally prudent and sustainable, it's morally imperative for our long-term vibrancy and vitality, creating an environment of inclusive prosperity we can all be proud of.''
Bryan Cadogan
Age: 53
Occupation: Fulltime mayor.
Marital status: Married to Allyson for 30 years, with two adult children.
Council experience: In 1998 became the youngest Clutha district councillor. Has since served three terms as a councillor and one as mayor.
Describe yourself in three words: Honest, approachable, positive.
