Rewi steps forward
Well-known local Darren Rewi has joined the race to be the next mayor of Queenstown Lakes.
One of Central Otago’s most senior kaumātua (Māori elder), the 62-year-old father-of-six has decades of leadership, governance and community work under his belt.
Rewi says he intends to campaign on a platform of change, as he takes on incumbent mayor Glyn Lewers, candidates John Glover and Nik Kiddle, and others yet to announce their run in the October election.
"The electorate is exhausted from issue after issue being exposed and an Executive Leadership Team and council that has yet to see that they are on a burning platform," he says.
"Removing barriers created to control the elected councillors' decision-making process is key to open transparent governance."
If elected, he plans to enable councillors to come together and understand each other’s values and goals, and says he'll lead through accountability.
"That’s through the Mayor and the CEO developing an open and transparent working relationship, key to that is a 'no surprises' policy for the mayor and the elected council. So much time is wasted having to manage emergencies, so the community through the council need to be clear about boundaries and expectations.
"There has been a lack of accountability recently which has led to a removal of community support."
He also wants to focus on reducing costs "that have ballooned beyond our need", including acting with "urgency to reduce and remove our reliance on contractors".
Founder and chair of the Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust, which was born from the Covid-19 response and is now leading the restoration of Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes, Rewi is also owner of local cultural support company Take Tuia, and vice chair of the National board of Victim Support.
He's a ministerial appointee on the board of Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, and the mandated Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku representative on the ORC Upper Lakes Freshwater Catchment Working Group.
And he's also a trustee of the Sky City Queenstown Community Foundation, vice chair of the recent Arts Culture and Heritage Strategy Committee and was the Mayoral Appointee as Chair of the Welcoming Communities Steering Group.
As well as his governance roles, he's also been involved in the Scouts, junior and senior football, and supporting health in schools, as well as nine years as a volunteer fire fighter.
"In the 32 years my family and I have lived here, we have developed a love for this area," Rewi, originally from Invercargill, says.
"The district has nurtured and supported us and in return I have always given time and service back to the community and been an advocate and voice for many groups and communities."
Despite the perceived failings of the current council, Rewi says there's no point creating reviews and investigations.
"It’s obvious that there has been poor decision making and now its for the new council and Mayor to create an expectation of accountability and that’s a conversation with the CEO. We need to look forward and get moving," he says.
That includes the incoming Regional Deals, which will reshape how the council works with Central Government, which he says comes with opportunities but also "significant Central Government expectations".
"That’s where leadership is key. The QLDC voters need to consider Leadership, Governance and Engagement when they choose their mayor and councillors."
