Mayoral hopefuls touched on hot topics from rates to tourism and council transparency at a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event held in Wanaka on Tuesday night (September 16).

The crowd filled the Lake Wānaka Centre to hear from incumbent Glyn Lewers, alongside John Glover, Nik Kiddle, Daniel Shand and Al Angus - whose contrasting styles and political ambitions were on full display.

Al made a fiery opening, comparing the council to a “parasite mass” and a fish “rotten from the head down”. He declared himself “only the drench” - then left the event entirely.

Daniel also distanced himself from the role, saying he had “no interest” in becoming mayor and “just want[s] to feel listened to as a member of the public”.

The remaining three candidates stuck to their main campaign messages.

Glyn, who is seeking a second term, emphasised the importance of securing a regional deal with central government, which he said could provide funding to solve many of the fast-growing district’s problems.

“We’ve got this window of opportunity and I’m asking you to come together with me and grant this opportunity for us all,” he said.

John presented himself as a unifier focused on financial discipline. He said he would use his business background to balance the books and deliver better value for ratepayers. 

Nik has his hopes pinned on securing a GST rebate and bed tax to fund infrastructure, roading and other needs, and reduce rates.

He pitched himself as uniquely qualified to get the regional deal across the line as a “a senior, skilled government negotiator”.

Unsurprisingly, following years of significant rates rises, that topic dominated discussion.

John argued the council could get better prices for its capital projects and called for a rethink of development contributions so “growth pays for growth”.

Nik said a bed tax and GST rebate would make a difference, along with “right-sizing” council staffing and executive salaries.

Daniel took a similar line, calling the council’s top salaries “incredible” and pointing specifically to QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen’s $470K+ salary.

Meanwhile Glyn said rates would continue to rise under the current system, which he said was “broken”.

He said reform of how rates are allocated, with central government’s backing, was essential to reducing the burden on residents.

Public trust in council was another recurring theme.

Nik criticised a council “that is absolutely donkey deep in secrecy and backroom deals”; John said he would prioritise open communication; and Daniel called mainly for binding referendums on significant topics.

Glyn acknowledged the issue and said there was “more to do” but said the council had come a long way.

The hour-long discussion also touched on tourism, the freedom camping bylaw, health services, renaming the council and protecting the environment, before candidates for council’s Wānaka ward and the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board took the stage.

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The evening gave local residents the chance to compare candidates side-by-side, with less than a month to go until voting closes.

Mayoral candidate Darren Rewi was unable to attend due to a previous commitment in Taiwan as part of a role with National Geographic.

To learn more about the candidates, visit the ‘Election 2025’ button on the Wānaka App. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App