Houlahan’s solo bid for mayor
DUNEDIN city councillor Carmen Houlahan has stepped away from the Team Dunedin ticket to stand for the mayoralty as an independent candidate.
She was a founding member of Team Dunedin, which has been pushed by another mayoralty candidate, Cr Jules Radich, as a group effort to shift the direction of the council.
“My running as an independent doesn’t mean I do not align to the vision for Team Dunedin, which is to shake up this year’s election and push for a reset of council priorities.
‘‘But given Jules Radich is also running for mayor, it makes sense we don’t confuse voters by having two members within Team Dunedin vying for the top job,’’ Cr Houlahan said.
‘‘I believe we are both strong candidates and we both aspire for the best for Dunedin.’’
Cr Radich said he agreed it might have been confusing for voters if there were two mayoralty candidates on the Team Dunedin ticket that he instigated.
Cr Houlahan confirmed her mayoralty bid on Pink Shirt Day, which is an antibullying campaign.
She was particularly worried about the impact of bullying on young people and highlighted questionable conduct from some councillors.
That included offmic comments or councillors swearing under their breath.
Female councillors wore pink items of clothing during 10year plan deliberations last year after tensions rose to the surface between some of their male counterparts and insults were exchanged.
Cr Houlahan said she had worked well with councillors and council staff, ‘‘but I am not afraid to question council decisions or confront the mayor on difficult issues’’.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins is standing for reelection.
‘‘Change is desperately needed if Dunedin is to move forward and thrive,’’ Cr Houlahan said.
Many businesses had opposed making the city's main shopping street, George St, a slowspeed oneway street, but the council pushed forward regardless, she said.
Cr Houlahan, a former journalist, has a master’s in entrepreneurial business.
It was important for women to stand for leadership roles, she said.
‘‘I hope by standing for mayor I can inspire other women to do the same in the future, as former Dunedin mayor Sukhi Turner once inspired me.’’
Cr Lee Vandervis, a close second to Mr Hawkins in the 2019 mayoralty contest, is also standing for the mayoralty this year.