Councillor, New Plymouth District Council
Dinnie's diverse life experiences, including the completion of a Master's degree in Māori and Indigenous Leadership and pursuit of a PhD in Māori & Indigenous studies and Political Science shape his work in local government. In addition to his role as a New Plymouth District Councillor, he serves as Co-Chair of Te Maruata, the national Māori Rōpū Whakahaere and acts as a Te Tiriti o Waitangi facilitator for LGNZ’s Ākona programme. Driven by a strong commitment to community service, Dinnie views local government as a vital pillar of democratic participation, engagement and public accountability. While the breadth and complexity of council responsibilities present ongoing challenges, he advocates for three key pillars to strengthen the sector: enhanced fiscal autonomy, participatory governance and expanded capacity building. Dinnie firmly maintains that anyone driven by a genuine passion for their community possesses the foundation to be an effective elected member.