ACT Local has selected Prasad Gawande — a former local business owner, and now Key Account Manager with over 15 years’ experience in leadership and management, as its candidate for the Papakura Local Board in this year’s local election.

Prasad holds a master’s degree in business and has worked across both the private and community sectors. In his current role as a Regional Key Account Manager for a leading global brand, he oversees key client relationships, teams, and significant budgets — giving him real‑world experience in accountability and delivering results, exactly the kind of skills a local board needs.

He’s lived in Papakura for over a decade, owns his own home, and previously ran his own business. Prasad has led sports teams, student unions, and youth groups, and has been actively involved with local charities. He brings a strong work ethic, deep local roots, and a clear understanding of the challenges facing everyday residents.

“It’s time to give local government a wake-up call. There’s a serious lack of accountability and transparency – and people deserve to know where their hard-earned rates are going. I’m standing with ACT because it’s the only party that will deliver the basics, scrap the waste, and bring real change to Papakura.” – Prasad Gawande

Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils & local boards that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects.

When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting:

• Fixing the basics
• Lower Rates
• Cutting the waste
• Ending race-based politics
• Restoring accountability

ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says:

“ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who’ve had enough of wasteful local government treating ratepayers like ATMs. It’s time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won’t divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They’re here to serve, not lecture." – Cameron Luxton