A colourful candidate to brighten Auckland politics

The “crazy Asian guy” from The Edge radio station. Photo: Jane Matthews


Radio personality's first foray into local body politics.

The self-described “crazy Asian guy” from The Edge has entered the world of politics. And it's no laughing matter: he wants to make it fun, so youth vote.

Chang Hung, the Macau-born radio personality, announced his running for the Waitematā Local Board in April. The 33-year-old, who recently had his nipples electrocuted live on air during a prank to earn The Edge shock-jock Dom Harvey’s vote, believes the youth-oriented station is a good platform to engage with and encourage young people to vote.

“I don’t want to always push policies. Politics is a very serious issue but we have to make it fun so people engage with it.

“There is so much potential out there for young people, and it’s an honour and a privilege for them to be able to vote, so they actually need to do so,” said Mr Hung.

Jonathan Good, from Auckland Future, the centre-right ticket contesting the Waitematā Local Board said it is not just about personality and fun but also ideas.

“Sometimes it’s about the gimmicks and the fun stuff. But sometimes it’s about serious change and actually making things different.”

When asked about his political career to date, Mr Hung proclaimed “absolutely none, nothing, nada”, but it’s not all fun and games for the Parnell resident. Mr Hung, who moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 2002, is passionate about local body politics, and wants to give back to his community. He aims to do so with his major policies, which address a common thread of issues in this year’s local elections –homelessness, public transport and safety. A factor that sets Mr Hung apart from the rest is his youth focus, a group whose issues he understands all too well after being kicked out of home at 17 for being “a naughty boy” and then dropping out of university.

This has seen him recognise the need for more open and youth-friendly spaces, such as parks, in the city.

“Place for students to go to to study and hang out. Auckland is getting buildings left, right and centre but we still need open spaces,” said Mr Hung. If elected, he wants to work alongside the Waitematā Youth Collective, a group of hip young kids who work to keep young people and their council engaged with one another. Deputy chair of the Waitematā Local Board Pippa Coom, one of seven City Vision candidates running alongside Mr Hung, said he brings a lot of fun to the campaign without undermining the real issues.

“I don’t think he’s doing it as a joke or anything, he’s serious about his politics and he understands the issues and I think he’ll be a fantastic elected representative.

“Hopefully his media background is getting him through to an audience that might not usually think about voting...such as youth who don’t feel connected to council, so they don’t think there is a need to vote,” said Ms Coom.

Victoria Duncan, Mr Hung’s fiancee, said when he entered politics she knew it was going to be a challenge because it was all new to him, but she backed him all the way.

“I think he’s a good inspiration for people who feel like they’re pigeon-holed, that they can break free and try new things.”

If not elected, Mr Hung said he will not give up.

“If you want something you have to fight for it. If I fail this election I’ll try again. And you never know, there is always the general elections next year,” he joked.