Tauranga identity Pat Spellman has announced he will run as the Waiariki Candidate for the NZ Independent Coalition in this year's elections.
Mr Spellman will run for a seat in the local Maori electorate Waiariki, against current MP and seasoned politician Te Ururoa Flavell.
Mr Spellman said he wanted to become more of a voice for key sectors of the community, and "to give a sense of vibrancy and youth perspective to an otherwise dated election campaign".
"Rangatahi [young] Maori in the Waiariki are growing, and shifting with the times - and we need them to be well equipped with the tools, and education necessary to stand tall. It's about breaking down the barriers between knowing and not," he said.
Mr Spellman will joined Tauranga-based Independent MP Brendan Horan under the umbrella of the NZ Independent Coalition.