Watch the full Local Focus interview for Jordan Walker's views on the region's biggest issues, and our less important quickfire questions
Social anthropologist Jordan Walker works for Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival as a line producer and is running for the Tairāwhiti general ward to give youth and those from lower-decile areas a voice at the council table.
Walker is the first non-binary/trans local body election candidate in Tairāwhiti.
"I think the council should represent the community and our community is very diverse," they said.
If elected, Walker would push for an updated arts policy.