Age doesn't deter candidate

James Maxwell is not intimidated by his opponents.

A 19-year-old checkout operator has been named as Tauranga's latest political candidate set to represent the region if successful in this year's election.

James Maxwell knows he may seem like an unlikely candidate but has a response for those who felt he did not fit the mould of his political peers.

"My answer would be what can't I offer? I've been around for 19 years. I've experienced the high years and lows of Tauranga. I've had a good education. I'm aware of what's happening in Tauranga and in the country so I think just because I'm a little bit younger, doesn't mean I'm too young to represent people and get things done."

Mr Maxwell would represent United Future and is understood to be the youngest political candidate in the running for the September 20 election.

He said one of the key things he would focus on changing if successful would be transparency of political koha or donations because it involved the public's money and "the public have a right to know what's being done with it".

Mr Maxwell said he was not intimidated by some of the competition he was up against, such as seasoned politician and current Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

"Are we talking about the same Bridges that signed away a forest and he didn't even know about it? This 19-year-old knows all about that," Mr Maxwell said.

Mr Maxwell said his role at a supermarket was not necessarily an advantage, but said it gave him another perspective to appreciate how a community was feeling about key issues.

Mr Maxwell said his campaign was not one that would involve grandstanding, doorknocking and hogging the spotlight.

"All you're going to do by doing it is annoy people," he said.

Mr Maxwell said he had been interested in United Future since they visited his school a couple of years ago.

"You know how every party comes around school and does their thing - all the promises for this or that and what they will do if you vote for them. They were one of the only ones that didn't.

"Instead, they came and sat and listened and they asked how we felt? What do we want? Before they told me how they can help me. That's what attracted me to them."

Mr Maxwell said he would do likewise in his role as Tauranga's candidate.

"It's such an early stage but, over the next few days and few weeks, we will be arranging our social media and Facebook pages and public meetings.

"I will let them suss me out first. You don't go out of your way to make them feel uncomfortable.

"People will slowly get to understand who I am. That will be a way I hope to gain their vote."

Who is James Maxwell?

*James Maxwell, 19, is currently employed as supermarket check-out operator at Greerton Countdown
*He has qualifications in business management, and retail services.
*He is a member of the Royal Society of New Zealand and an Associate Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management.

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