Mr Hawkins was named by party co-leader Metiria Turei as the party's mayoral and council candidate at a function at the Queens Cafe and Bar in Dunedin.
He told supporters the council seemed to treat some people as ''an annoyance'', and needed to realise democracy did not only occur every three years.
Mr Hawkins, an unsuccessful council and mayoral candidate in 2010, hoped to capture some of the electoral support enjoyed by the party, particularly in North Dunedin.
If elected, he would push for sustainable jobs, warm and healthy homes, and more efficient and affordable public transport in the city.
''Green jobs and green homes and green transport to get us between the two - that's a Green Dunedin,'' he said.
However, he would not elaborate when asked by a member of the crowd how he would improve public transport when the system was run by the Otago Regional Council.
And, speaking afterwards, he told the Otago Daily Times it was too soon to say how many other Green candidates could also seek election in Dunedin.
Mr Hawkins' mayoral campaign would pit him against Mayor Dave Cull and Cr Lee Vandervis, and possibly former Act New Zealand party list MP Hilary Calvert.
Sir Eion Edgar had also suggested reconstituting a Citizens Association to back candidates for the council and mayoralty.
- Cr Andrew Noone, the only incumbent Dunedin city councillor yet to be contacted about their election plans, also confirmed yesterday he would stand for council again in October's election.
