Councillor Dave Hookway wants to be the Far North's next mayor. Photo / file
Outspoken councillor Dave Hookway is the latest candidate to throw his hat into the ring for the Far North mayoralty.
Hookway, a health promotion adviser with Northland District Health Board, said he made the decision after receiving an ''overwhelming number'' of requests.
He joins current Far North Mayor John Carter,
Deputy Mayor Tania McInnes, of Paihia, motoring journalist Peter Gill, of Waipapa, and reformed gang member and Destiny Church candidate Jay Hepi, of Kaikohe, in what is already shaping up to be a crowded field.
Hookway, who lives at Waipapa and is campaigning under the hashtag #Bear4Mayor, said he had spent the past three years speaking out about community concerns and trying to promote more open governance and decision-making.
''I've exercised a fair degree of professional scepticism over papers and reports as they have come to council for consideration. This hasn't always been a popular approach but I make no apology for being as diligent as I could,'' he said.
