Local body candidates say rules requiring them to put residential addresses on campaign advertisements put them at risk.

The rules are being described as outdated, with some wanting them scrapped.

Stories of harassment towards public figures, particularly women, are rising and come as we head towards local body elections later this year.

Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins told Mike Hosking he's had his address given out online and his car vandalised outside his home.

“I don’t think we need to wait for a Jo Cox-type situation to happen before we start mitigating the risks.”

Jo Cox was a British MP murdered in her Yorkshire constituency in 2016.

Hawkins says he doesn't see the public interest in where he lives.

“Whole different thing when you're involving people's home and people's families which really should be off-limits regardless of your political stripes.”

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