Stand up and be counted
It's been a punishing three years for Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers and the district councillors.
Water quality issues at both ends of the process, with the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak and Shotover River wastewater discharge, have dominated the term, not to mention the controversial $128 million new road, two double-digit record rates rises, and other fiascos.
A massive leaky homes payment, reported to be more than $200m, the Skyline logging landslip, a change in Government, and other issues reasonably beyond the current elected members' control also put them on the back foot and overshadowed much of the good work QLDC has done in the post-Covid recovery period.
Altogether, that's seen the already-low approval rating drop further to just 17% among the community.
But, as is the way with democracy, if you don't like it, now you get to vote them out - or better still stand up and be counted yourself.
Nominations for the 2025 local elections are now open. To stand for Queenstown Lakes District Council or the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board, candidates must be enrolled voters and nominated by two voters from the area they wish to represent.
No previous experience is required, but a tough skin and boundless energy is helpful.
"How our district moves forward involves everyone who lives here, so it’s important that our elected officials reflect the values and ideas of our diverse community," council chief executive Mike Theelen says.
"Now is a great time to learn more about the challenges and rewards, either for yourself or for friends and family who you think would make great local leaders."
Queenstown Lakes District Council also wants to get more people to the ballot box and has launched The Highest Vote campaign, aiming to surpass the national average voter turnout.
"Turnout here in our last local election was 43%. This time we’re setting our sights higher, both to exceed this and top the national average which was 44.5% in 2022," Theelen says.
Special high-altitude ballot boxes will be available at Cardrona Alpine Resort’s ticketing office (1,670m) and Treble Cone’s ticketing area (1,260m), hosted by RealNZ, offering a one-of-a-kind way to vote amid district’s stunning alpine surrounds. QLDC will also host a one-day voting box at the Crown Range lookout on Friday, 10 October.
Residents who prefer to vote closer to home can do so by post or at voting boxes located throughout the district. A map of voting locations and further information will be available on the QLDC website.
Voting papers delivered will be delivered from 9-22 September, with voting open until election day on Saturday, 11 October.
Demystifying local government
Queenstown locals are invited to a special event designed to open up the often-confusing world of local government.
Let’s Talk About… Local Government is a free, welcoming community kōrero that will explore how local councils work, who makes decisions, and how residents – including migrants and newcomers – can have a say.
Hosted by Happiness House in collaboration with Catalyst Trust, Queenstown Libraries and Citizens Advice Bureau, the event takes place next Tuesday, 15 July, 6pm-7.30pm in Queenstown Events Centre’s upstairs meeting room.
The Electoral Commission's Caleb Mitchell and Cr Esther Whitehead are the speakers. A follow-up Coffee & Questions session will be held the following week on Tuesday, 22 July, at Happiness House.
For more information or to register, visit events.humanitix.com/let-s-talk-about-local-government
