A keen battle is heating up in the Napier City Council's Nelson Park Ward, with confirmation yesterday that long-time youth facilities and services activist David Hannay will rejoin the race after a nine-year absence from the polls.
Mr Hannay, now 52, last stood for the council in 2004, polling 19th of 19 candidates in the last city-wide election before the introduction of the mixed-representation wards and at large structure three years later.
The former husband of first-term at large councillor and mayoral aspirant Michelle Pyke, he will seek one of the two Nelson Park Ward seats, opposing incumbent Maxine Boag and at least two other candidates.
Mr Hannay is a passionate campaigner for youth facilities which suit the contemporary needs of teenagers, putting action to his words in 12 years' running the State of It youth venue.
The organisation was initially housed in the former State Theatre on the corner of Dickens and Dalton streets, then later in the former Odeon Theatre in Hastings St.