Two dozen step forward
After three years of controversy and complaining, only two dozen people in Queenstown Lakes have put their names forward for October's council election so far.
With just over 24 hours to go until nominations close, there are 24 people who've submitted the paperwork to stand for either Queenstown Lakes District Council seats or the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board.
Six people are vying to be the district's next mayor. Incumbent Glyn Lewers will face off against Al Angus, John Glover, Nik Kiddle, Darren Rewi, and Daniel Shand.
Lewers has served one term as mayor, having previously been a councillor after winning a coin-toss due to a dead heat with AJ Mason, demonstrating the power of every single vote. Angus has stood for mayor four times before, his no-nonsense approach failing to win over voters, while Glover has stood for council three times, also unsuccessfully. Kiddle ran against incumbent Jim Boult back in 2019, while Shand ran last time around, garnering just 201 votes.
Lewers, by contrast, won with 4,382 votes in 2022 ahead of challengers Jon Mitchell (3,796 votes), Olivia Wensley (2,531 votes), Al Angus (821 votes), Neeta Shetty (541 votes).
Rewi, one of Central Otago’s most senior kaumātua, is the newcomer, but also a well known local.
Jon Mitchell may not be in the mayoral race, but he's decided to stand for council. He's up against Cr Gavin Bartlett, Stephen Brent, and Aaron Cowie in the Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward.
Cr Melissa White and "Q" (Samuel) Belk are names in the frame for the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward, while Cr Barry Bruce, deputy mayor Quentin Smith, Cr Lyal Cocks, Cr Cody Tucker, Cr Niki Gladding and Craig Gasson will contest the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward.
Outspoken Cr Gladding, formerly of Glenorchy, had planned to stand down at this election, potentially contesting the Otago Regional Council seats instead, but has had an eleventh-hour change of heart.
And there's still time for more names to be put forward, and both Cr Mat Wong and Craig 'Ferg' Ferguson have indicated they intend to stand again.
Chris Hadfield, John Wellington, Linda Joll, Simon Telfer, Kathy Dedo and John Bache are all standing in the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board election.
To stand for election, you must be enrolled to vote and nominated by two people from the area you wish to represent. Candidates don’t need political experience, just a desire to serve their community and help create a better future, QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen says.
“These are really rewarding roles,” Theelen says. “It’s about shaping the direction of our district and having a say in how we grow, protect our environment, and support our people. We’d love to see people from all walks of life stepping forward.”
The nomination period closes at midday, Friday, 1 August, and late submissions won’t be accepted.
We'll have all the names, plus the Otago Regional Council candidates in Monday's print edition of the Lakes Weekly Bulletin, and online tomorrow.
