Statement by Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer

I will be a candidate for Mayor of Wellington at the elections later this year.

The people of Wellington deserve real choices: a choice of Mayor, a choice of policies and a choice about Wellington’s future.

As an experienced councillor, small business owner, environmentalist, musician and Wellingtonian I feel I can provide that choice, and an effective challenge.

After six years, the people of Wellington have a clear idea of what is on offer from the present Mayor. My campaign will communicate a clear alternative for the future.

The campaign will be based around the many people who have approached me and asked me to stand. I want a positive campaign that will unite people from all parts of the community around a common commitment to Wellington and its great potential.

Background

Ray Ahipene-Mercer has been a member of the Wellington City Council for three terms. In each election he has topped the poll. In 2003 he was one of only two members of council to be elected to their position on first STV preferences alone.

Ray is a descendant of both Maori and Pakeha early settlers of the Wellington region and is proud of both strands of his heritage. Ray is a luthier (maker of stringed instruments) and musician. He has been active in local government affairs since the early 1980s, when he was one of the leaders of the Wellington Clean Water Campaign, leading the battle to stop pollution of Wellington’s wild south coast.

ENDS

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