As October’s local elections approach, reporter KELLEY TANTAU continues to put the spotlight on the mayoral contenders, and asks why they think they’re fit to wear the chains.
A Hauraki man running for Mayor of the district is using social media to fuel his campaign, but amidst allegations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and his refusal to speak to local media, questions are being raised over the transparency of his bid.
Levi Burton, who goes by Levi Phoenix on his social media accounts, has already listed himself as Mayor of the Hauraki district on his LinkedIn profile.
He is standing for the top job as well as councillor in the Waihi ward, and in a press release announcing his candidacy, promised a “transparent and inclusive” future.
But online Burton has been accused of “hiding behind a computer” and using Artificial Intelligence tools to get his answers.
On August 5, The Profile contacted Burton via email with a series of questions, in order to compose an article ahead of the October local body elections.
Two days later, he replied.
That same night, Burton’s responses were published in full by another media outlet; therefore, a phone interview was requested.
But Burton said he’d prefer email, and acknowledged he shared his responses – composed for The Profile – with another reporter.
“I wanted to be upfront with you about something that’s been on my mind. I recently replied to your set of questions, and while I also shared my responses with another reporter, I hadn’t anticipated they’d publish them ahead of you. That wasn’t my intention at all – it was simply a misstep on my part in managing communications during a busy campaign, and I absolutely recognise that it wasn’t ideal,” the email said. “It’s been a good learning moment for me, and I genuinely appreciate your understanding.”
After running this response through several AI checkers, The Profile discovered most of his response was likely to have been written by AI.
For that reason, the Profile again pushed for a phone interview, but Burton responded: “It’s all good. I think I’ve won already”.
This belief is reflected in his LinkedIn profile, complete with council logo, entitled: ‘Levi Phoenix, Mayor at Hauraki District Council’, where he states he works “full time” as Mayor.
The Profile made a final attempt at speaking with Burton over the phone, asking why the man running for Mayor was not happy for a chat to local media.
He was also asked whether or not he had used AI to formulate all or part of his social media posts and responses, or his responses to The Valley Profile, and if he would be attending any in-person meet-the-candidate events.
Burton did not respond.
This is Burton’s first official quest for mayoral chains.
In 2023, he posted on a West Coast community Facebook page announcing his candidacy for Mayor of the Westland District Council; however, the local body elections had already taken place in October the year before.
In an email, he said he was a former Waihi College pupil and communication was one of his “greatest strengths”.
“My background spans a wide range of industries, from construction to finance, from policy writing to physical labour. I’ve worked with my hands, my mind, and my heart, and I’ve learned how to connect with people from all walks of life, whether it’s a lawyer, a farmer, a rangatahi, or someone on the autism spectrum.
“Communication is one of my greatest strengths,” he wrote, “and I believe it’s exactly what’s missing from local government right now.”
