By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Three-term district councillor Josh Chandulal-Mackay has set his sights on the Whanganui mayoralty and leading out “a new generation of leadership” at the October local body elections.
The 30-year-old, first elected to Whanganui District Council as a 21-year-old in 2016, said the slogan would underpin his campaign.
“Whanganui needs a future-focused mayor who looks ahead to 2050 and beyond.
“Being mayor isn’t just about the next three, six, or nine years, it’s about setting up the foundations that create a vibrant and prosperous district for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
He is the third person to announce their intention to run for Whanganui’s mayoralty ahead of nominations opening on July 4.
Chandulal-Mackay said his leadership would be characterised by energy and decisiveness, constructive debate and clearly defined policies and ideas.
‘Sustainable, progressive and inclusive’
He would chart a course over the next 25 years for a sustainable, progressive and inclusive future.
“At 30 years old, I have a stake in that future and don’t want to miss the opportunity to give back to the district that has given me so much over the course of my life.”
The focus would be on building a family-friendly city and district, driving the local economy, safeguarding environment and promoting Whanganui as a centre of design and culture.
Chandulal-Mackay would campaign on supporting a placemaking project for the town centre riverfront and a business-led upgrade of the Lower Victoria Avenue block.
He would champion establishing a youth hub in the city centre and upgrading the Whanganui East Pool to keep it open.
He would also aim to open a Whanganui to Ōtautahi/Christchurch airline route, create a long-term investment fund for significant projects, and advocate for local arts and cultural institutions to develop tertiary arts qualifications.
‘Global district’
Chandulal-Mackay’s vision includes Whanganui as a ‘global district’, with its multicultural communities creating and growing multicultural arts, cuisine and events – including a biennial ‘Awa festival’ to celebrate the mauri and history of the Whanganui Awa.
He also planned discussions with iwi and hapū on establishing a cultural centre that celebrates Te Awa Tupua and explores the indigenous and European settlement history of the Whanganui River.
After serving five years on the council Youth Committee as a teenager, Chandulal-Mackay was keen to introduce civic leadership education for young people, including a programme based on the Youth Parliament model.
“This programme will occur once every three years and provide an opportunity for secondary school-aged young people to become a ‘youth mayor’ or a ‘youth councillor’ and debate Whanganui’s future, put recommendations to council and grow their understanding of local government.”
Incumbent mayor Andrew Tripe, serving his inaugural term in local government, will seek re-election, and first-term councillor Peter Oskam has also announced he will contest the mayoralty.
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
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