The Asian candidates seeking a council seat in Auckland

With more Asian voters living in the country's largest city than ever before, it's perhaps not surprising that around 10 Asian candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for a seat on Auckland Council.

A total of 307,230 people claimed Asian heritage in the City of Sails in 2013, a number that increased to 442,674 in 2018 and 518,178 five years later.

Overall, New Zealand's Asian population totalled 861,576 people, or 17.3 percent of the country's population, according to data from the 2023 Census.

In Auckland, Howick local board tops the list of people in the area who claimed Asian heritage, with 80,565 Asian individuals living there.

Next on the list is Henderson-Massey local board, with 39,546 persons of Asian descent, closely followed by Upper Harbour local board, with 34,983.

In addition to Eric Chuah, a Malaysian Chinese resident who is standing against incumbent Wayne Brown in the mayoral race as well as seeking a council seat in the North Shore Ward, almost a dozen other Asian candidates are standing for Auckland Council.

Peter Chan (Waitākere Ward)

A Malaysian Chinese, Chan is a justice of peace with degrees from the University of Auckland and University of Hong Kong.

"I co-founded the Waitākere Ethnic Board and the Lantern Festival, and previously served as Waitākere City's cultural ambassador," Chan says.

He was elected to the Massey community board in 2001 and became the first Asian city councillor in 2004.

"I am seeking re-election as both councillor (Waitākere Ward) and local board member to continue serving a community I have been dedicated to for the past 24 years," Chan says.

Chan wants to improve West Auckland bus services, especially those connecting Te Atatu Peninsula to Brigham Creek and the airport.

Addressing motorway access and supporting the City Rail Link is also high on his agenda.

Expanding youth opportunities through targeted programs, protecting the environment through initiatives such as Rivercare and Project Twin Streams, prioritizing flood-safe housing and increasing funding for climate preparedness are also key issues of concern, he says.

Ali Dahche (Howick Ward)

Dahche is the ACT Party candidate for Howick Ward councillor and the Howick local board Botany subdivision.

"I'm standing ... with the ACT Party because I want a council that delivers for ratepayers, not one distracted by ideology," Dahche says.

"Too much waste, slow decision-making and inaccessible leadership have held our area back," he says. "I bring a business mindset: accountability, efficiency and results."

Dahche moved to East Auckland in 1998, graduating from Howick College.

"New Zealand gave me a safe place to grow, work hard and build a business," he says. "After years working globally, I returned home to raise my family and invest in my community."

Dahche wants Auckland Council to "refocus on essential services".

"My priorities are clear ... fixing roads and potholes over 'nice-to-have' vanity projects," he says.

"[I wish to] support local businesses by cutting red tape, speeding up permits and attracting investment," he says.

"[We need to] improve safety with better lighting, stronger patrols and prevention-focused policing ... [and] restore accountability by opening more meetings to the public."

The ACT candidate wants to deal with congestion by pushing Auckland Transport for smarter traffic flow, road maintenance and effective upgrades.

Sunil Kaushal (Waitākere Ward)

Kaushal arrived in New Zealand as an international student 30 years ago and built a career in banking.

"My passion for connecting people led me into advocacy between New Zealand and India as former chair, and now general manager, of the India New Zealand Business Council," he says.

"At the same time, I have given back locally ... serving as president of the Waitākere Indian Association, vice president of the Waitākere Licensing Trust and leading community patrols."

Kaushal also serves on several boards, including Sport Waitakere Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa and Waitākere Health.

"I am running for Auckland Council as Waitākere Ward councillor, for the Henderson Massey Local Board and for the Waitākere Licensing Trust in Henderson Ward," he says.

His motivation for campaigning comes from "West Auckland missing out", he says.

"Since the merger into the Super City, our population has grown but the services we receive have not kept pace."

As a result, he promises to "push for investment in roads, drainage and transport facilities that actually meet local needs."

"I will fight for a fairer share of council funding for Henderson-Massey, and for empowering local boards to direct budgets into upgrading town centres and supporting businesses."

Improving safety and crime prevention in the area, along with better rubbish collection services are his other priorities, he says.

Kay Luv (Waitākere Ward)

Calling herself a "proud Laotian Westie mum", Luv says she has been "shaped by a Pacific Island, Asian and European upbringing".

"[This] made sure I was raised to be caring," Luv says. "I have spent my life defending and standing up for people's injustices."

She has more than 20 years' experience working in immigration in New Zealand, India, Taiwan and Thailand.

"I have led in policy, business and governance, advising MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment), immigration officers, lawyers, government officials and industry leaders," she says.

"I have solved complex cases, represented New Zealand in international criminal fraud investigations and run my own consultancy," she says. "I also serve on New Zealand tennis boards and hold qualifications in politics, business and education."

Luv is standing for Waitākere Ward councillor to "help build a safer, more affordable and inclusive Auckland for our children".

"I stand for affordable living through sensible council spending and an evidence-based approach to decision making, better transport and health services through funding for frontline services and streamline systems," she says.

Her other priorities include increased police presence, bringing in tougher laws and improving response times to make communities safer.

Anjana Subramaniam Iyer (Whau Ward)

Iyer moved to New Zealand from Mumbai, India, in 2011.

"Over the last 14 years, I have worked across advertising, tech and social impact spaces," she says.

"My experience in the design for social impact space revealed how our community continuously struggles with cost-of-living and housing crises."

Iyer says that working in the technology sector has shown her "how technology can isolate people, spread misinformation, create echo chambers and amplify hate".

"I want to use my campaign platform to highlight our common ground: wanting better futures for our children, our families and our communities," she says.

"There is clear lack of adequate progressive South Asian representation in New Zealand politics, so I am standing as a Green Party endorsed candidate for Whau Ward councillor."

Iyer urges more investment in transport, wants to protect public assets and is worried about the country's housing crisis.

"With 423 households on Whau's waitlist, I'll work to expand public housing support, alongside Kāinga Ora for faster placement, and develop rent-to-buy schemes through Auckland Council," she says.

"I'll use council powers to save Avondale Racecourse and [the] Sunday market. This is our vital green space and the heart of our community."

Improvements in Western rail is also a core focus, she says.

Paul Sun (Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Ward)

Sun was born in China, relocating to New Zealand in 1997. He has worked in the real estate industry for the past two decades.

"I am running for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward councillor and Albert-Eden local board (Maungawhau subdivision)," he says.

"I have seen and heard too many recent projects with little benefit for residents, such as Auckland Transport's removal of the free left-turn slip lane at Great South Road/Manukau Road.

"I am standing to bring rational leadership and practical solutions rather than ideology."

Sun claims he wants to "stop vanity projects, cut bloated budgets, focus on core services, use AI to lift productivity and reduce bureaucracy, require cost-benefit analysis before spending public money".

He says the council should be focused on road maintenance, safety and traffic flow.

"As a small nation and city, we cannot afford symbolic yet costly emissions targets," he says.

"Instead, we must prioritize practical climate adaptation, such as upgrading stormwater systems, improving drainage, implementing slip prevention and planned relocation."

Paul Young (Howick Ward)

Young migrated from Taiwan when he was 25 years old. He has lived in East Auckland for the past 36 years.

"From running a small Photolab in Somerville to managing an art gallery, concert and large-event production company [as well as] a social media platform, I have always believed in connecting people through culture," he says.

Young was elected Auckland councillor in a 2018 by-election and served until 2022.

"Although I narrowly missed re-election in 2022, I am determined to return in 2025 to continue delivering for my community," he says. "I have also served on the Counties Manukau District Health Board."

Young advocates for the introduction of the single transferable vote (STV) voting system to "ensure fairer representation, especially for ethnic minorities like Asians".

"I am standing again ... to build on proven results, including $200 million central funding for the Eastern Busway and over $80 million for a new pool, library and community centre in Flat Bush," he says.

"We need to deliver major East Auckland projects faster, install more CCTV [cameras] and have more patrols through strong partnerships," he says.

"[We need] independent financial oversight office with a public reporting line, working with central government on GST relief for local rates so that every dollar truly serves our community."