21 year old stands for council

YOUNG VOICE: New Whanganui Disrict Council candidate Josh Chandulal-Mackay would like to see Whanganui become the events hub of the lower North Island.

The decision by Josh Chandulal-Mackay to announce his candidacy for the Whanganui District Council brings more young blood into the race.

The 21-year-old is a former district council Youth councillor. He served on that committee from age 12 to 18 before spending the last three years at Massey University completing a Bachelor of Arts in politics and psychology.

Mr Chandulal-Mackay said his election platform would focus on urban planning and design and seek new, innovative ways to attract and support business to grow the local economy.

"Whanganui is a forward-looking and innovative city. We need to be supporting local business by making our central business district more attractive and vibrant."

Mr Chandulal-Mackay said he would like to see the west end of Victoria Avenue revitalised as well as the eastern entry into Whanganui.

"Taupo Quay looks really nice now but people driving in to the city from New Plymouth or Auckland should know that they have arrived in Whanganui and see things that attract them to stay."

He said one way to achieve that was to make Whanganui the events hub of the lower North Island.

"As a councillor I will look for every opportunity to engage with central government to ensure that regional economies like Whanganui are supported and able to thrive.

"Recent setbacks, like the withdrawal of Air New Zealand services from Whanganui, mean that there is an even more pressing need to think of new ways that central government can support local councils in regional New Zealand."

Mr Chandulal-Mackay said he had experience in a variety of non-governmental organisations dealing with governance, project management and engaging with a diverse range of people across the political spectrum, and felt it was the appropriate time for him to bring those qualities to the council table.