Ray Ahipene-Mercer | |
---|---|
Wellington City Councillor for the Eastern Ward | |
In office 2000–2016 | |
Preceded by | Sue Kedgley |
Succeeded by | Chris Calvi-Freeman |
Personal details | |
Born | Wellington, New Zealand | 20 October 1948
Spouse | Christine (Chris) Viggars (deceased) |
Education | Upper Hutt College |
Occupation | Musician, guitar-maker, environmentalist, politician |
Raymond Ahipene-Mercer (born 20 October 1948) is a former New Zealand politician, who served as a Wellington City Councillor for the Eastern Ward,[1] only the second Māori to be elected to the Wellington City Council and the first Māori to be elected since 1962.[2] He is also a guitar-maker, musician, and well-known environmentalist,[2][3] and was one of the leaders of the Clean Water Campaign, which led to the end of sewage pollution of the Wellington coast.[2] He was a candidate for mayor of Wellington in the council elections of 2007,[4] the first Māori ever to contest the position.[citation needed]He was runner-up to the incumbent.[5] As a musician and guitar maker he usually uses the name Ray Mercer, and has used the name Ray Ahipene-Mercer for other purposes including his environmental work and politics.