Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith, a dedicated kaitiaki and staunch advocate for the protection of Rotokākahi, yesterday announced his candidacy for the Māori ward in the upcoming Rotorua local body elections.

Driven by the unwavering support, guidance, and leadership of his whānau and hapū, Skipwith is stepping forward to bring about systemic change from within – challenging the very structures that have historically enabled poor planning, flawed decision-making, and the exclusion of mana whenua voices.

“The ongoing fight to protect Rotokākahi has shown me how broken the system can be when mana whenua are not properly consulted,” said Skipwith. “This isn’t just about the environment – it’s about justice, equity, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in real, practical ways.”

Skipwith sees his candidacy not only as a continuation of the fight to protect Rotokākahi, but as a new avenue to ensure that this never happens again. “This is another step in safeguarding the mauri of Rotokākahi – and in time, we must also find a way forward to remove the pipe entirely. That is part of the vision – restoration, not just protection.”

A key focus of his campaign will be building a genuine, enduring partnership between council and all iwi – not just select individuals or groups. This vision includes a Whakamana approach: iwi-led and council-supported solutions that address some of Rotorua’s most pressing social challenges.

“If we whakamana iwi, then we can also whakamana our people – especially our homeless whānau who deserve better pathways to stable housing, support, and dignity,” he added.

Skipwith also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for rangatahi, including access to employment, education, and training. “Our rangatahi are the future of our whānau and hapū. Supporting them into mahi, further study or upskilling is how we strengthen our communities from the roots up.”

With deep connections to Rotorua and a fierce commitment to protecting whenua, taonga, and people, Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith’s campaign is a call for action, accountability, and authentic partnership.

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