Wānaka councillor Quentin Smith has been reappointed deputy mayor during yesterday’s (Thursday October 30) inaugural meeting of the new Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Quentin, who also served as deputy mayor in the previous term, was selected by new mayor John Glover, who said the decision was a pragmatic one: “If I was run over by a bus on Frankton Road, who would be able to fill that role ably and immediately?”

He was also appointed by the mayor to represent QLDC as a committee member for the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal — a multi-council initiative working to secure an agreement with central government to help address infrastructure needs and support sustainable growth.

Earlier in the meeting Quentin was sworn in alongside other Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward councillors Cody Tucker (who was also a councillor in the last term, and narrowly beat Yeverley McCarthy to be reelected) and newcomer Nicola King.

Niki Gladding, who was elected to the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward this term after serving the Queenstown-Whakatipu ward in the previous term, was unable to attend the meeting and will be sworn in at the first Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board meeting, QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said.

Councillors for the district's two other wards - including Heath Copland, Melissa White, Samuel ‘Q’ Belk, Matt Wong, Gavin Bartlett, Stephen Brent and Jon Mitchell - were also sworn in, as was the new mayor.

Mike described the meeting as both “joyous” and “solemn” given its significance.

“We all, and councillors in particular, are guardians of this place and these peoples: the history of this place, the today of this place, and the future of this place rests in your hands collectively.”

The “unique” district faces significant challenges arising from its growing population and ever-increasing popularity as a visitor destination, he said.

“These challenges are placed before this group of people for the next three years.”

PHOTO: Still Vision Photography