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Hauraki mayoral candidate Josie Anderson says it's a logical step after a lifetime serving her community.
Ms Anderson, from Ngāti Hako, describes her career as being about transforming communities, including helping set up the Hauraki Māori Trust Board and serving as its chief executive and chair, setting up a Māori health provider and governance bodies for the iwi's farming and fishing operations, as well as taking on ministerial appointments.
She says councils need to look and think differently, even Local Government New Zealand is saying they need more diversity.
The retirement after 15 years of the sitting mayor means the chance for real change, including voters having the chance to give Hauraki its first wahine Māori mayor and councillors.
"So this is a major step for the region in terms of people voting in Māori on to council and I'd like to think it would be a major step for this community to vote in a Maori mayor who has the skills and background to actually lead the district over the next three years," Ms Anderson says.
Ballots need to be posted today to ensure they reach returning officers by October 12, but they can be dropped off at council offices and service centres until midday Saturday.
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