The Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal Negotiation Committee has appointed consultant and lobbyist Conor English as the negotiator to help steer the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal.

A Regional Deal is a 10-year agreement between central government and a region or group of regions aimed to boost economic growth through investment in local priorities like infrastructure, housing, and jobs.

Conor’s appointment marks another step forward in the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal process after participating councils officially kicked off negotiations in July by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government ministers.

Read more: Local ‘regional deal’ progresses to next stage

Conor, director of government relations consultancy Silvereye, is a former independent advisor to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and a former CEO of Federated Farmers New Zealand. 

He has experience across government and parliamentary relations, policy, agriculture, exporting, investment, technology, and smart cities.

Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal negotiation committee chair Gretchen Robertson said the team was pleased to have Conor on board as negotiator.

“[His] expertise will help us make the most of this opportunity and ensure we balance our growing infrastructure needs while maintaining the high-quality natural environment that we all value,” she said.

“The Regional Deal is about leveraging the value created by growth, higher visitor numbers, and other potential sources of income, to enable key infrastructure investment that supports the community and visitors alike.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council, and Otago Regional Council make up ‘Otago Central Lakes’.

The trio of councils lodged the Regional Deal proposal in February and was one of only three regions selected to progress from a total of 18 applications.

In the coming months representatives from Otago Central Lakes will negotiate with central government around the contents of the Regional Deal, and final approval will rest with individual councils and cabinet.

PHOTO: Supplied