Watch: Christchurch mayoral debate - Mauger vs Meates in the battle for votes

Christchurch mayoral hopefuls David Meates and Phil Mauger have faced off in a one-hour live debate as local body election voting are underway.

The debate was hosted by the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the NZ Herald.

Meates and Mauger, the two top polling candidates in Christchurch, made their cases for why they should get the city's top job.

The debate, hosted by journalist Ryan Boswell, was business-focused and explored the objectives of the candidates in relation to the business community and the expectations outlined in The Chamber's Business Expectations of Local Government publication.

There was also an opportunity for public participation and questions from the audience.

"Public participation in democracy is important and many of the issues that impact businesses are intertwined with those that impact the entire community. That is why The Chamber is doing its part to help our members and the public be well-informed in advance of the upcoming elections," said Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leeann Watson.

"Every three years we have the opportunity to re-elect and refresh our local representatives, and it is important that voters are presented with sufficient information to make well-informed decisions."

Use the NZ Herald interactive below to find out more about the candidates: