Ray Ahipene-Mercer - Politician

Politician

Ahipene-Mercer's work on environmental issues often brought him into regular contact with the Wellington City Council. He was elected to the Wellington City Council in a by-election in 2000, taking the Eastern Ward position previously held by Sue Kedgley, who was elected to parliament as a Green MP. He was elected again in 2001 and 2004. Mana News Service reported that in 2001 he was one of 20 Maoris, out of a total of over a thousand New Zealanders, to win office in local elections that October. He is only the second Maori to be elected to the Wellington City Council and the first Maori to be elected since 1962.

He is currently Cultural and Arts Portfolio Leader on the Wellington City Council, a member of the Council Controlled Organisations, Strategy and Policy and Grants Committee. He is a director of Wellington Waterfront Ltd, a member of the Wellington Conversation Board, and a trustee of the Joe Aspill Trust.

Initially regarded as part of the "left" group on Council, Ahipene-Mercer has avoided alignment with any faction, preferring to work across all groups. He has fielded some criticism from supporters for his willingness to work cooperatively with right-wing Mayor Kerry Prendergast, but announced in early 2007 his intention to oppose Prendergast in the elections to be held later that year. He told reporters he was "in to win", and if elected would continue to work with all councillors.He was runner-up in the election

Ahipene-Mercer attributed his 2001 council win to votes from Pākehā (non-Māori) as well as Māori voters who recognized that he worked for everyone, not just for Māori interests. He does not believe in designated Māori seats on either the national and local level, and hence emphasizes the importance of Treaty education so that Pākehā are well-informed about and responsive to Māori issues.