All of these candidates have committed to all of our local election pledges.
AFNAN AL-RUBAYEE – WELLINGTON CITY
A mother, a public servant, a part-time university student and a PSA member for about four years, Afnan is standing for Labour for a seat on the Wellington City Council.
Afnan came to Wellington with her parents as a refugee from Iraq via Jordan in 2003, and grew up in public housing, and now rents in the heart of the city. “This city has been too good to me. I want to give back in the best way I know and that is by serving Wellingtonians on the council. There should be more representation on council for people like myself and I am honoured to be able to put myself forward,” Afnan says.
“Because of my lived experience, I have a unique appreciation for democracy, and I stand for inclusive, community-led change,” says Afnan who also has experience in community organising and NGO governance.
“We need a city built for people, with communities shaping decisions, not just responding to them. I’m committed to creating a city where people can build a future -with good jobs, decent housing, and opportunities to thrive.
“Wellington needs to make serious progress on housing, transport, climate, infrastructure and fixing the pipes. We need to keep community facilities open. We need a city we can afford. These are my priorities. But to achieve all those things we need a refreshed and constructive Council that really listens."
MATTY ANDERSON – NELSON
Matty Anderson is seeking re-election in the Central Ward Nelson. As well as being a first term Nelson City Councillor, he is a Support Worker at a PactGroup home where he is a PSA member. He is also work as a Teachers’ Aide at Nelson College.
“My old man was in the power board and was a hard-core union man. I did twenty years in the Navy as an engineer. Mental health challenges and addiction have been fundamental in who I am, where I have come from and where I am going. Service is a natural fit and part of my wellness plan.
“I have worked as a disability support worker for Nelson Marlborough DHB, four years in casual roster; a year as a peer support worker for Health Action Trust out of Nikau Hauora Hub in Nelson and a year as Kaitiaki for Te Waka Hauora under NMDHB again.
“As a Nelson City Councillor, I have been given roles as Ethnic and Migrant Communities Representative and Pasifika Communities Liaison. Both are communities that most certainly need a voice and fierce advocacy.
“I also deliver Talanoa Ako, digital literacy to Pasifika parents. Recently I have been lucky enough to work as a facilitator working with our RSE community delivering training. A community in dire need of support and advocacy.
“As Pasifika, I believe strongly in servant leadership. I do find council chambers challenging. As a stirrer and activist, I find behaving myself difficult. Participating in and therefore validating a system that is not for me hurts sometimes. I’d like to think I’m infiltrating the infrastructure and remind myself that if you’re not at the table; you’re on the menu. I do feel my lens is welcomed and that I have added value”.
WAIREKA COLLINGS – MASTERTON
In Masterton, public servant Waireka Collings is standing for Mayor and the Council’s Māori ward.
Waireka, a mother of five, says she is an advocate for kaupapa Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity.
“I have been raised in Wairarapa my whole life and our whānau are active contributors in te ao Māori space.
“I am standing to bring greater awareness to the capabilities and contributions that can be made when Māori are at the table. I am also advocating for the retention of the Māori ward. It is important that as a people we are putting our hands up and our names forward to be part of local council.
“I am also the median age of all constituents in Masterton, and we need to lower the age of our Mayor and councillors to be in better alignment with the future that is now.
“As tangata whenua with lived bicultural experience and reo there has never been another candidate like me to stand for the role of Mayor. I believe it is time we changed that. The time for change is now and the people to effect that change are us,” Waireka says.
HIMIONA GRACE – KĀPITI
Himiona Grace (Ngāti Toa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) is standing for Kāpiti’s Māori ward. Himiona is Te Pāti Māori’s Political Director and has been a PSA member for four years.
“My whakapapa to Kāpiti goes back nine generations, to when Te Rangihiroa arrived from Kāwhia with Ngāti Toa during Te Heke Mai Raro. “I have 10 years’ political experience, advocating for and defending my community.”
Himiona believes the 2025 local government election is the most important of his lifetime.
“It is the first time Kāpiti has ever had a Māori Ward; we need to ensure it will not be the last.
“Māori are bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis on the Kāpiti Coast. We are being priced out of our communities through high rates, higher rents, and a lack of job opportunities.
“As mana whenua I will embody the Treaty partnership in local government, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi into all council decisions. I will utilise my experience as a negotiator and advocate to stop housing and road developments on urupā. I will partner with ART Confederation to deliver affordable housing that supports mana whenua to live in our own rohe.”
TOM KAY – WELLINGTON REGION
An environmental scientist, advocate, and science communicator, Tom is standing for a seat on the Wellington Regional Council.
“I'm an organiser and spokesperson for a group called Choose Clean Water, who are advocating for the protection of Aotearoa's rivers, lakes, groundwater, and drinking water sources.
“I grew up in Ahuriri / Napier, in Hawke's Bay, but I've lived in Wellington since2017. I first came here as a student at Victoria University before then, though ultimately did most of my degree, in Environmental Science, at Massey University in Palmerston North. I've spent most of the last eight years working for the conservation charity Forest & Bird, as well as being a PSA delegate, doing a bit more study (a Masters of Science in Ecology), and taking a brief 'break' as a Policy Advisor at a consultancy.
“I'm running for regional council because I care deeply about the future of Wellington's communities and environment. I want all of us to have access to clean rivers and beaches where we can swim and fish without getting sick; be safe from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather; have cheaper, faster buses and trains around the region; and enjoy our incredible regional parks, coastline, and wildlife.
“I think the Wellington region is going to face some incredibly tough challenges in the coming years as the impacts of climate change and other pressures increase, and –based on my experience in environmental management, science, and advocacy; and as a leader amongst my colleagues and communities – I think I can play a helpful role in the face of those challenges.
“I hope to continue my work to improve the way we live with and within the environment, and to ultimately protect and improve the future of our communities.”
SARAH KERBY – NELSON
Sarah Kerby, a long-time Nelson local, community leader, and proud member of both the PSA and E Tū, is a Labour Party Candidate for the Nelson City Council
Before stepping into leadership and organising roles, Sarah worked as a bartender, cleaner, and aged care worker.
“Those jobs taught me first-hand the challenges many workers face: long hours, low pay, insecure conditions, and how vital it is to have strong unions standing with us,” Sarah says.
“I’m standing for Council because I believe working people need a voice at the decision-making table. Local government shapes our daily lives – from housing and transport to libraries, recreation, and community services. These decisions affect workers and families directly, and I want to make sure fairness, equity, and people’s wellbeing are at the heart of them.
“The difference I can make is bringing both lived experience and a proven track record of organising for change. I’ve worked alongside unions and communities to win results, including helping secure law changes for exploited migrant workers so they could rebuild their lives with dignity. I know how to campaign, build coalitions, and get things done.
“If elected, I will be a strong, practical voice for workers in Nelson – advocating for decent jobs, fair pay, affordable living, and quality public services. I will listen, collaborate, and work to ensure Council decisions reflect the needs of working people. Together, we can build a city that works for everyone,” Sarah says.
TOM ROUD – CHRISTCHURCH
In Christchurch, library worker, musician and PSA Delegate Tom Roud is standing to be a city councillor for the Alliance Party.
Tom says he believes Ōtautahi Christchurch should be a city that works for working people.
“My platform is unapologetically in the tradition of the left, in the tradition of the workers' movement, and staunchly in favour of governance that serves ordinary working people and their families. I believe in accountability, transparency, and clear political principles. In my free time I play in a local band, so a thriving local nightlife is also important to me,” Tom says.
Tom is standing for retaining and expanding public assets, pursuing policies that move towards full employment and liveable incomes for all in the city. He also supports public spending that improves the lives of ordinary people, and a vibrant and diverse nightlife with protections for local music venues and the arts.
He supports expanding high quality public housing provided by council, and greater investment in social housing widening of eligibility for both.
Tom also wants to see investment in infrastructure that is fit for purpose, future-proofed and spends less on consultants, bringing more services in-house.
MELE TONGA-GRANT – LOWER HUTT
Mele, who is a council officer, is standing for Hutt City Council.
Mele describes herself a “relentless community advocate, and within the PSA serves as a Vā Moana Delegate and the Female Youth Lead for the Pasefika Network.
“My background includes working alongside Pacific, Māori, youth, and rainbow communities. My journey has always been shaped by the values of service, equity, and collective strength. As a delegate, I know the importance of standing together to protect the dignity of workers and the services our communities rely on.
“I am standing for Hutt City Council because I believe local leadership must be informed by the voices of those who are often left out of decision-making. Council decisions directly impact our daily lives and too often, these choices are made without listening to the people who carry the weight of them.
“I have seen many members lose their jobs in the name of ’cost saving,’ which once again puts the dollar sign ahead of real people’s livelihood. That’s not good enough. “I bring a unique understanding as a current Council officer, union delegate and active participant in my community.”
