Reynold Macpherson of the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Association will stand for Rotorua mayor in this year's local body elections.
The association named the candidates it would support for Rotorua Lakes Council roles at a gathering in Springfield this afternoon.
Macpherson is the only mayoral candidate the association endorsed, alongside six councillor hopefuls: Wilhelmina Mohi, Conan O'Brien, Kevin Coutts, Peter Jones, and current councillors Raj Kumar and Peter Bentley.
The small but steadfast group of association members had a clear message for residents and ratepayers ahead of the October elections: Councillors are there to serve the public.
The association claims to have close to 750 members, triple the number in the 2016 elections.
O'Brien said he joined the association last year "because of my concerns about the direction that the current council was moving our community".
"If elected councillor, I would like to make a real difference to economic development, and ensure that council concentrates on the core social, environmental and cultural needs of our community."
Conan O'Brien. Photo / Supplied
O'Brien said his priorities were to reduce debt, address social housing needs, protect democratic governance and keep rates down.
Coutts has lived in Rotorua since 1986 and has worked as a police officer, charter fishing guide and in the council's animal control unit.
"I see standing for council as a continuation of 30 years' community service, informed by 17 years working for council."
Kevin Coutts. Photo / Supplied
Coutts said residents were the most important part of the district and he would give their interests the top priority.
Jones has a background in finance including banking, investment, and share broking.
Peter Jones. Photo / Supplied
He said he wanted to see the Rotorua Residents and Ratepayers Association win a majority in the council chambers.
"It will be challenging but Rotorua must live within its means. Ratepayers have a right to live where increasing rates and charges are not the mean."
Kumar, who is in his first term on the council, said he would make an effort to be the voice of ethnic groups, if re-elected.
Rotorua Lakes councillor Raj Kumar will stand again in this year's election. Photo / Supplied
Kumar said he believed the council needed to set a good example and develop effective partnerships, as well as restore the CBD by encouraging people to make it the centre of the community.
Bentley has been in the Rotorua community since 1959 and said, as a retiree, he had time to give back to the city.
Rotorua Lakes councillor Peter Bentley will stand again in the elections this year. Photo / Supplied
"The majority of RDRR members have proven business knowledge and skills, and have the ability to listen and act accordingly ... our team needs to replace people that have no business acumen."
In a statement, Dr Macpherson said his aim was to realign the council's priorities, finances, and services to residents by getting a Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers team elected.
He said his priorities included debt reduction and keeping rates rise lower.
"Councils are required to promote social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being. Real economic growth sustains all other forms of wellbeing."
