Latest issue

by Scott Stevens

The dust has settled on local government elections, and our new Queenstown Lakes District Council have been sworn in. Love them or loath them these individuals have now undertaken the oath to represent us all.

I did exercise my democratic right to vote, like the 40% minority of us who do care and do have an opinion on the outcomes for our district. I also attended one of the ‘meet the candidates shows’. I say “show” because it was certainly entertaining and at the same time somewhat concerning to hear the pure unadulterated fantasy that came from the mouths of some candidates.

It beggars belief that someone would go to the effort of standing up for judgement by neighbours and fellow ratepayers without the first clue what a local council actually does, or what it’s statutory responsibilities and processes are. You’d think sitting in on a council meeting at least once to see what the job involves, and reading up on the Local Government Act would be the first step. But sadly no. Call it stupidity, arrogance or a combination of both. I’m just mighty relieved the worst offenders did not con enough votes out of us.

Because despite not all my candidate choices being elected, I’m okay with the result. I do not agree with the ideology of some newly elected councillors that’s for sure, but that is democracy in action. Those that have been elected seem reasonable enough and at least in the Arrowtown Ward I got to vote in, the new Councillors are on the face of it a good representation of our neighbourhood. I cannot speak for the Queenstown and Wanaka Wards but assume the same.

There is plenty of sense and sensibility sitting around the council table. The question will be how they work together, with the council employees from top to the bottom, and then perform like the united high-performing ratepayer owned organisation we, the ratepayers expect.

The answer starts and ends with the man who secured the top job, newly elected Mayor John Glover. In the interests of starting positively and giving all involved the best possible chance to do well and succeed for the benefit of us all, let’s give credit where credit is due.

Mayor Glover has presented himself consistently throughout the election campaign and since being elected. Isn’t that what we want? Consistency along with sensible decision-making? In a crowded and noisy electoral race, he was the clear winner. His leadership and business skills will be tested under the public spotlight and who’s to say he will not shine bright under this pressure.

On the political spectrum, my opinion is, he sits close enough to the centre, to unite both the right and left leaning Councillors. A balanced combination can be achieved. It will take strong leadership from Mayor John Glover. If he can do it, the Queenstown Lakes has the very best chance of moving forward, from good to great.