Fresh faces put their hand up for next Rotorua election

Ryan Gray. Photo / File

There could be some fresh new faces on the Rotorua Lakes Council if first-time entrants Kaya Sparke and Ryan Gray secure enough votes.

Sparke, a 22-year-old chef at Tiaki early learning centre and Gray, a 31-year-old public servant, are both considering throwing their names in the hat for the 2019 election.

"I decided to look into running for council because I've always had a keen interest in politics," Sparke said.

She said over the years she had got into her "fair share of healthy debates" and had a number of people question why she wasn't more actively involved in politics.

"People, planet and politics are all things I'm really passionate about and having talked the talk for so many years I thought it might be time to try a bit of the walking."

Kaya Sparke. Photo / Supplied

She said it was sad to see it was the norm for decision-makers to be "predominantly white, predominantly male and over 45" as that did not accurately represent and was not inclusive of all peoples from society.

"I often hear people dismiss younger candidates because they 'lack life experience' but I think it's important to note, that people of my generation possess a foresight and genuine concern for the future that some older candidates do not or cannot have.

"I would love to see a different variety of candidates next year so that all people have a choice to vote for someone they can relate to."

For Gray, running for council was never something he had considered; growing up he was too busy "playing sports, riding bikes, or trying to catch trout in the Utuhina" to pay attention to politics.

He moved away from Rotorua for six years and said after coming back it was "clear Rotorua had fallen behind in the times, and was lacking a certain something".

"Since voicing my opinion more on political matters, I have been encouraged by a number of people across the spectrum to consider standing for council, things are improving but we need to bring people with us on decisions made.

"The council is meant to be representative of its population, but with only one councillor under the age of 50, it doesn't seem right that those who have to live with the decisions made longer than anyone else are not adequately represented in council."

He said the council needed to continue to be progressive, but needed to remember the diverse nature of the city's population.