Most of Auckland's mayoral candidates don't want Auckland to be the city that never sleeps.

Police are calling on Auckland Council to introduce earlier lock-outs and closing times for bars and nightclubs, which currently have to close by 4am.

Newstalk ZB's Michael Sergel says they could receive a sympathetic ear from the city's next mayor.

Phil Goff said he will support the Police lockout proposal if it's evidence based, and Vic Crone said it could be trialled.

John Palino, Stan Martin and David Hay all want earlier closing or lock out times, while Mark Thomas and Susanna Kruger prefer the status quo.

Penny Bright wants staggered closing times, but Chloe Swarbrick isn't convinced closing bars earlier will prevent disorderly behaviour.

You can vote at libraries and council offices before midday Saturday.

We asked the candidates: Police have been advocating for earlier closing times for bars and clubs. Do you support or oppose new lockout laws?

Here are their responses:

Chloe Swarbrick

International research shows that drunk and disorderly, antisocial, violent behaviour is a complex problem that simply closing bars and clubs earlier won’t fix. We need to address underlying problems, like our drinking culture, but also tighter controls on neighbourhood liquor store openings. I’m committed to working with police on this.

John Palino

Having previously owned a bar on Queen Street I have talked with many police. The opening hours have recently changed, but I do think 2 am is late enough for bars. Most cities around the world close off bars at 2am. Let me say though that I do think there are some other issues to the problems we are seeing and some of that is the drinking outside of the bars and clubs. Lets fix the root of the problems not the symptoms.

David Hay

I support a one-way door policy after 1:00 am.

Susanna Kruger

Oppose new lockout laws

Penny Bright

The answer, I think, is to stagger closing times so that there isn't a flood of people, (particularly intoxicated people), on the street at the same time. This should be determined through discussion with bars and clubs.

Vic Crone

It’s an emotive subject on both sides of the argument and I’ve heard very passionate pleas. As well as wider safety and culture initiatives, one way forward could be to see the next stage as a trial period for lockout laws. This would allow us to see what kind of results and effects we're likely to get from this kind of regulation. If it's not working or having unintended consequences then we rethink it.

Tyrone Raumati

Earlier closing times for bars and clubs will help minimise harm from excessive drinking, particularly in the CBD and other urban areas. However, we must take care that this approach doesn’t just shift the problem to public places or private residences where there may be no measures in place to ensure responsible drinking. Therefore, closing times should be seen as just one strategy in a holistic and collaborative approach to improving community safety. The council has supported trial initiatives to encourage safe and responsible drinking in the CBD. We should do more of this, and work with businesses and service providers across the region to raise awareness and implement strategies to encourage responsible drinking.

Mark Thomas

Council’s decisions on closing times were based on the 2,800 submissions considered over nearly two years. Not everyone got what they wanted. The policy should be tougher on premises that don’t enforce safe drinking and more permissive for responsible establishments.

Phil Goff

I prefer the Police to the Council proposals for earlier closing times for bars and clubs but the decision needs to be evidence-driven. I support the decision to close off-licences earlier and would support stronger sanctions where premises don’t meet legal obligations.

Stan Martin

No, it doesn't actually stop people getting drunk. I would support perhaps a 3am shut down for all drinking establishments and would like to set up a curfew law for under 18s without adult supervision in the city's hot spots.

Patrick Brown

Chose not to answer this question.