Issue #872

I sat beside Jim Boult for five years. As his EA until July this year, I know his calendar like the back of my hand and his airpoints number off by heart. I can tell you that he gets up very early, works til late and prioritises family above all else.

Despite misconceptions, Jim is not ‘fancy’ – he drinks council issue Nescafe from an Arcaroc mug and prefers a $4.50 bacon and egg sandwich for lunch. He never turns down a meeting request – no matter how trivial the topic might seem; Jim understands it’s important to the deliverer. Even on the busiest of days, every single email is personally answered and actioned.

His energy and enthusiasm are irrepressible. Less-than-friendly correspondence and interactions are taken to heart, but he somehow always finds empathy for the messenger, resets, and charges forward. (Positive feedback is truly appreciated and filed in a folder labelled ‘nicer stuff’). On matters that impact families he is relentless. Those blocking progress on issues such as housing, school bus safety or immigration are likely to be thoroughly sick of seeing his name in their inbox or recent calls log.

Throw in a pandemic and there were many times individual stories of hardship brought him close to tears and none of us working close to him could stop until we’d affected changes to lessen a burden. His hotline to central government for support was the only one we had, he’d call and they’d listen.

Friends of Jim and Karen must really be looking forward to seeing them socially. The majority of evenings and weekends have been committed to attending environmental, cultural, sporting and academic events. Everything from opening a Highland Dancing conference to attending Christmas dinner for the elderly to biodiversity workshops. Every. Single. Weekend. (Somehow he always finds time to clean the family cars and stay up to speed with who’s winning in motorsport though).

Every Monday morning mine, and Mike Theelen’s inbox would have a new list of issues presented to Jim by constituents who had ‘bumped into him at the supermarket/gas station/airport/hardware store’. I hope the new Mayor is prepared for complex consenting issues with their carrots and bus timetables with their bananas.

In every sense of the word, Jim Boult is egalitarian. Whether it’s come from growing up in Southland, his vast and varied career, or the enormous number of hours he’s committed to so many charitable organisations, Jim steadfastly believes in equal opportunities for everyone. He has dedicated his mayoralty to getting a fair go for those who choose to live in the Queenstown Lakes and we’ve been bloody lucky to have him.

Thank you Jim. I hope your ‘nicer stuff’ folder is permanently overflowing from here on in.

Amy Wilson-White