The handing over of the Western Bay of Plenty's two mayoralty chains this October is making for one of the most critical local body elections in the region's voting history.

That's the view of one local government member, who hopes voters get involved this election and make informed choices – while expecting contenders for the top jobs to possess the right skills and a willingness to work together.

Elected unopposed, Bay of Plenty Regional's WBOP councillor Jane Nees says the changing of the guard of Tauranga Mayor and Western Bay of Plenty mayoralties at the same election is unique and critical – especially with growth challenges facing the region.

Asked if it means a change in direction, Jane says it depends on people elected for each role.

'We – the Western Bay of Plenty – are very well regarded on a national level because we do things together – we work together and we go down to Wellington and submit to the Government together.

'I think our way of working has been very effective and well respected by the Government so it's achieved quite a few notable pluses – for example, we agreed on how to treat the Tauranga Eastern Link.”

'That led to nearly half a billion dollars' worth of expenditure and bringing forward that project – that was due in no small part to the leadership of those Mayors.

'What we've had is two very experience mayors showing know how their community and how local government ticks – and they had a shared vision for the Western BOP.

'Once upon a time the councils didn't have a good relationship – that was what led to Smartgrowth being developed – there was competitive development rather than working together.

'So what has been built up over time is a share vision, a collaborative way of working, and really working together in the good of the region to get things across the line.”

And there's been a recognition of the districts' crossover, says Jane. 'Because a lot of people live in the Western BOP and live in Tauranga and vice versa – and what happens in Tauranga impacts on the Western Bay but the communities are quite different – one is rural council and one is an urban council.”

Crossover issues include, growth, transport, industrial areas and land. 'So what I hope we get of the elections is people who really understand the issues, who understand the relationship between Tauranga and the Western BOP – so we continue the good progress we have made to date.”

'If you get someone who comes in without that understanding and with a very strong platform one way or the other – or who have campaigned strenuously on one issue – those decisions will have infrastructure implications,” says Jane.

'But there are risks – and I think most important is people become informed and that there's a lot of engagement in the election process. So people need to go to meetings and find out what candidates think of issues – then make their informed choices on who they want to lead them.”

'And it is quite critical when Tauranga and the Western BOP are growing really fast and there is a lot of change coming at us – you need the right people leading you.”

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stan Gregec says with two key leadership positions going to new people it could change the region's direction. 'But you have to remember the mayor is only one of 12 people who sit on council,” says Stan.

'So it's not like the mayor has the decisive influence necessary but certainly the mayor is a strong leadership position – they are the public face and they are the leader of the council – and so to achieve the most they have obviously got to work in with other elected members

Stan says key attributes for contenders are multiple. 'They've got to have the vision for the future – then they've got to be able to communicate that strongly and clearly – then they've got to get other people behind that.

'It's no use having a mayor focused one or two single issues – they've got to take that big picture view and gather everybody behind them as much as possible.

'Then they really need to be good at developing that team of individuals – and we all know councillors are capable of being very individual and focused on specific issues, so I think the mayor has the opportunity of pulling all of that together into a strong cohesive team.”

Stan says given where the city and region is in terms of the future – 'we're growing very rapidly” – and there are major challenges to keep up with infrastructure and services of a growing town.

'Yet, we are at a critical point in terms of how do we rejuvenate and redevelop the city centre, and you know there is a lot of demands on a city that is growing at this pace.

'So to be the kind of person who can really take hold and deliver the kind of city that we hope for, and aspire to, requires a lot of strong leadership and someone who can bring the councillors on-board and those at the head of the actual council organisation.

'So they are quite a critical position – but I don't want to overplay the position.”

'And the fact we have got two new mayors coming on-board is quite symbolic of that opportunity that we now have.”