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Party politics is out, but Cr Jules Radich is all in on a team ticket set to shake up next year’s Dunedin City Council election.
The first-term councillor has put out the call for people to join him on a Team Dunedin ticket — also featuring Crs Carmen Houlahan and Andrew Whiley — that will push for a reset of council priorities.
Cr Radich, riled by the council backing a one-way main street, said what was best for the city had sometimes been lost while the needs of particular interest groups held sway.
The group he was co-ordinating would not be controlled by a political party and it wanted "genuine consultation and active listening".
His move comes a year out from the next local body elections.
Crs Radich, Houlahan and Lee Vandervis confirmed they would stand for the mayoralty, laying down the challenge to incumbent Mayor Aaron Hawkins.
Cr Whiley said he did not intend to stand for the mayoralty and high-profile businessman Sir Ian Taylor said he was too busy to pursue either the mayoralty or a place on the council.
Cr Radich said there was considerable disquiet about Dunedin’s direction.
He wanted a diverse mix of people to put themselves forward to represent the city.
"The composition of the team is yet to be decided.
"It will be a range of councillors and newcomers."
Cr Whiley said he would support Cr Radich’s tilt for the mayoralty.
"We need a united front for change," he said.
"I don’t think this council is working in the best interests of Dunedin."
Cr Houlahan said she joined the group on the proviso she could stand for mayor, too.
People who had engaged with the council felt they had not been listened to, she said.
Mr Hawkins said it was always positive to see people taking an interest in local body elections and encouraging others to consider putting their hands up.
"Any election is a contest of values and ideas, and of the contrasting ideologies of the candidates standing in it."
Cr Vandervis, who has always stood as an independent, indicated some support for Team Dunedin objectives.
"We do need new blood on the council," he said.
He said party politics had damaged Dunedin for decades.
Cr Vandervis was a close second to Mr Hawkins in the 2019 mayoralty contest.
Mr Hawkins was backed by the Green Party at the last election.