Community leader to run for Auckland mayor

Tyrone Raumati will contest the Supercity Mayoralty at October's local body elections. Photo / Getty Images

A West Auckland community leader and youth advocate, Tyrone Raumati, has announced he will contest the Supercity Mayoralty at October's local body elections.

Mr Raumati, who is of Ngāti Whātua, Te Kawerau-ā-Maki and Waikato descent, has championed transformational change for rangatahi in Waitakere for more than a decade and believes that Auckland is a city in need of change.

My "Vision for a Greater Auckland' is simple and consists of five core principles - a Treaty-principled, diverse democracy, growing whānau wellness, quality of life available to all, building a city of legacy and safeguarding our natural environment for future generations.

"We need to create a city that is a home for our mokopuna and generations to follow."

"The people of this city are in a constant struggle, with many focused on surviving. They want someone who understands that we are tired of the same old, same old, and its' time for a new vision."

"I want to provide a platform that raises those issues for whānau in Auckland so that together we can create a Greater Auckland."

Mr Raumati first stood for council as a teenager in 2004. Though unsuccessful at that time, the 30-year old has decided to have another go at it, and encourages others to do so as well.

"Our time is now, to come together and build on the many features which make our city so unique. We can only effect change if we are a part of the process.

Mr Raumati has played a pivotal role in many local organisations and also at a national level, including chairing the Te Rōpu Rangatahi o Waitakere, serving as a board member of the Massey Matters Funding and Advisory Committee, the Māori Health Gain Advisory Committee (WDHB), Auckland Māori Rugby and the National Māori Youth Council.

Other mayoral candidates are Labour MP Phil Goff, businesswoman Vic Crone, businessman John Palino, Orakei Local Board member Mark Thomas, activist Penny Bright, former Green Party member David Hay and lawyer Adam Holland.