Reynold Macpherson is to stand for the Rotorua mayoralty.
He will represent the Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers Inc (RDRR) group, formerly known as the Rotorua Pro-Democracy Society.
On Friday, the group voted between two candidates to represent it in the October mayoral race next year, with Mr Macpherson winning
61 per cent of the vote. The other candidate was Rob Kent, who told the Rotorua Daily Post earlier this month he would stand for mayor whether or not he was the group's preferred candidate.
Mr Macpherson will lead a team that will support other candidates standing for the Rotorua Lakes Council.
Mr Macpherson said the group had broadened its purpose to include the reform of planning and financial management and to return policy-making powers to elected representatives.
