The people behind the politics
With election season upon us, there will be plenty of shots fired as people compete for your vote and a place around the Queenstown Lakes District Council table.
But behind the soundbites, the egos, the grandstanding and fierce back-and-forth, there are real people who are prepared put their heads above the parapet to help the community.
What motivates them? What are the worldviews that shape their decisions? What are their beliefs about leadership and collaboration?
As a parting gift to Queenstown, Cr Esther Whitehead, who's standing down at the end of this term, has recorded 23 individual podcasts with the mayoral candidates and would-be councillors.
Inside Voices is live on YouTube now. Whitehead says it's like having a virtual cuppa with candidates, with them all answering the same open questions across a 20-to-30-minute chat each.
"I wanted to create something that helps our community understand the role of councillors and the real people standing as candidates, and provide media which is accessible and different to candidate debates, (which let’s face it not many get to)," she says.
"This is why I started the modest podcast Inside Voices ... not soundbites or point-scoring, but reflections on values, motivations, and the style of leadership they believe our district needs."
All episodes were recorded before publication, so none of the candidates had an advantage, and everyone was invited to take part, although a couple declined or didn't respond.
"Interestingly, while perspectives differ, all candidates emphasise the same qualities of leadership they’re looking for: collaboration, integrity, empathy and service."
Whitehead says serving on council has been "interesting, challenging, and rewarding" and she's loved championing local social and climate issues, while pushing to improve democracy, governance, transparency and risk practices
But she's chosen not to stand again due to "central government’s increasing overreach" and "ineffectual leadership at a local level".
She hopes the podcasts give voters a chance to get to know the candidates by hearing from them directly - "and most importantly, that you’ll go out and vote because it matters".
Voting papers will be delivered from 9-22 September, with voting open until election day on Saturday, 11 October.
Meanwhile, the six mayoral candidates will be under the bright lights this Tuesday, 26 August, for the Chamber of Commerce's Battle for the Mayor's Chair, and next Thursday, 4 September, for Catalyst Trust’s Mayoral Candidate Forum. Tickets and details online.
