Anjum Rahman hopes for a more culturally diverse council in the future

While Anjum Rahman was not elected   this year, she hopes the new council will make the right decisions for the city.

Rahman, who ran for the council on the East Ward, finished the election with 4676 votes.

“I wish they had chosen differently, but we have to accept the result.  I just hope that the new council doesn’t make decisions which reduce services, and increase costs such as for water.”

Rahman says the new council  reflects Hamilton’s cultural diversity more  than the previous one.

“We have Margaret Forsyth who is a Maori woman, and now Philip Yeung who has good relationships with ethnic minority communities.”

She says if Hamilton keeps putting up good and strong candidates for local body elections voters will be more likely to accept a council that is more culturally diverse.

“Eventually when people are used to seeing diversity in candidates, they may be more willing to elect them,” Rahman said.

Rahman is heavily involved in her community.

“I’ll also be involved in organising for next year’s central government elections.  Even though the campaign is over, I’ve had meetings every day this week, as well as an interview on Free FM.”

She was a key organiser in the multi-faith service held this past Sunday.

Rahman believes that community is important, and hopes that one day there will be a sense of community in Hamilton.