Mr Hawkins (26), a Radio One 91FM morning host and writer, said in a statement yesterday he had decided to run for mayor, and as a councillor, after a decade spent "watching local government drift further away from the electorate".
He wanted to preserve the city's heritage buildings, abandon "failed `Think Big' strategies" and find ways to encourage students to remain in Dunedin after graduating.
That could include more pressure on "sub-par" landlords to improve flats, and more support for Dunedin businesses.
"It makes sense to encourage entrepreneurs, artists and artisans to set up shop in the city after their studies are complete, with flow-on effects for the benefit of the entire community that cannot be understated."
He joins former Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis, Mayor Peter Chin and Greater Dunedin candidate and city councillor Dave Cull in the race for the mayoralty.
