Every seat in the Queenstown Lakes District Council will be contested in the local body elections, as will the Dunstan constituency for Otago Regional Council (ORC).

Nominations closed yesterday (Friday August 1) after a flurry of nominations during the week.

There are six mayoralty candidates; seven candidates for the Wānaka Ward’s four seats; and six candidates for the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board’s four seats.

Over the hill there are five candidates for the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward’s three seats and seven candidates for the Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward’s four seats.

QLDC CEO Mike Theelen said it was great to see a range of new and returning faces put their hand up to represent their community. 

“We have a great mix of experienced councillors seeking re-election this term and fresh faces bringing new perspectives,” he said.

“That level of interest and engagement is good news for our community and local democracy.” 

The focus now moves to encouraging the community to get to know their candidates and then get out and vote for who they feel will best represent them as elected members, he said.

At the regional level, Wanaka-based Nicky Rhodes has teamed up with ORC councillors Gary Kelliher and Michael Laws in the Dunstan constituency to form ‘Vision Otago,’ along with Carmen Hope (Molyneux), Chanel Gardner (Dunedin) and former Dunedin City councillor Hilary Calvert.

Amie Pont from Ranfurly is also in the running for the Dunstan ward of the ORC, alongside Matt Hollyer and Ben Farrell from Queenstown. 

Gary Kelliher said, when contacted, that ‘Vision Otago’ was not a political alignment, “but a loose group of like-minded thinkers… we’re all about saving the ORC from itself”.

Find information about all the candidates at the Wānaka App’s ‘Election 2025’ button.

Voting papers will be delivered to all enrolled voters between Tuesday September 9 and Monday September 22, with voting open through until midday on Saturday October 11. 

In a unique initiative to make voting more engaging, RealNZ is helping to elevate democracy by hosting ballot boxes at their two ski fields. Voters will be able to cast their votes at Cardrona Alpine Resort’s ticketing office (1,670 metres) and Treble Cone’s ticketing area (1,260 metres).  

Additionally, a one-day-only ballot box will be available at the Crown Range lookout on Friday 10 October, offering locals an opportunity to vote at one of the highest and most scenic elevation points in Aotearoa. 

PHOTO: Supplied