This week the Wānaka App starts asking candidates for local body elections their views on a range of hot topics facing the Upper Clutha.

We’re easing into ‘eight weeks of hot topics’ by asking their views on the proposal to rename Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to something which better reflects the range of communities within the district.

Proposal advocate Michael Sidey said he doesn’t have a particular name in mind, but is in favour of something like ‘Southern Lakes District Council’ - “which de-centres Queenstown”.

Read more: Push for Queenstown Lakes District Council Name Change Resurfaces

The idea of a name change for QLDC was last mooted in 2023 but it was scotched by the council, who said it wasn’t a priority.

The Wānaka App asked the candidates for QLDC mayor, the Wānaka Ward of the QLDC, and the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board whether or not they supported the proposed name change.

Mayoral candidates respond

Five of the six mayoral candidates responded, with incumbent mayor Glyn Lewers and John Glover saying they weren’t against the change, but noting that central government has signalled changes ahead for regional council, meaning this may not be the right time.

Glyn said a name change “is not on the priority list”; rather he is concentrating on delivering infrastructure and the regional deal negotiations. 

John suggested “Otago Alpine Lakes District might be a better description”, but also noted that the cost of a name change could be prohibitive.

Darren Rewi said the question should be put to the community and progress made if there is a consensus, adding that a name change would "bring all the communities closer together”; while Nik Kiddle and Al Angus supported the proposed name change, with Al suggesting ‘Lakes County Council’ for a new name.

Nik said a name change would “better reflect the geography, culture and communities of the wider district”. 

Daniel Shand did not respond.

QLDC Wānaka Ward candidates respond

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith raised similar concerns about the timing, costs, and looming local government reforms. “The primary focus of council needs to be on rebuilding trust and confidence in the council, which is currently at an all time low,” he said. 

Lyal Cocks was clear that while he wasn’t opposed to consideration of a name change, the work and cost required was “in my view [not] a priority alongside the other things we currently need to get done for the benefit of our communities”. 

Barry Bruce said he was “neutral” on the issue, while Cody Tucker said he supported the name change, “a symbol of our identity”.

“To put it another way, we would hate it if New Zealand was ‘Australia +’ to make it easier for Americans to know where we are.”

But with rising rates and reforms on the horizon he offered an alternative: “a quick and cheap start would be to practice what we preach and drop Wānaka from [the] Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board”. 

Niki Gladding said there was merit in the argument for a name change, but said it was worth considering what “problem we're trying to solve”, and if it was “a lack of focus on Wānaka, it might be worth considering other solutions as well - like significantly diversifying and expanding the Wānaka-based workforce”.

She also sounded caution about costs, but said initial steps could be taken - “without involving consultants".

Aspiring candidate Yeverley McCarthy said her focus was on rates and the delivery of infrastructure, saying a name change would be a ‘nice to have’ but not a priority.

Nicola King also questioned whether “a more inclusive name” was the right priority in “challenging financial times”; and Thorsk Westphal was clear that while ‘Central Lakes District’ or similar would “be ideal”, the cost of a rebranding put it low on the list of priorities.

Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board candidates respond

Simon Telfer supported a name change, but said the implementation cost of a change combined with Queenstown’s “zero appetite to rename” meant it was unlikely to happen until there was a Wānaka mayor.

John Wellington had a similar view, saying: “Heart says yes but brain says no”. 

“I really don’t see that the effects of the change would be sufficient to justify the costs involved”. 

Chris Hadfield, who is also behind the push for a name change, argued that Wānaka is currently “left out of the picture”. “The current name doesn’t reflect the entire district and a name change will start the process towards us having our own identity as part of a wider area,” he said.

Linda Joll also “fully support[ed]” a name change, saying the district’s diversity should be recognised and it was “time for a refresh”.

Aspiring board candidate Kathy Dedo also supported a name change, suggesting ‘Southern Lakes District Council’, however she suggested consulting residents during the next Annual Plan (2026) or Long Term Plan development (2027).

Aspiring candidate John Bache said the name “isn't fully representative of our diverse region”, but rebranding would “be extremely expensive and time-consuming”. 

“Given recent high rate increases, although I appreciate the underlying motivation, I question the timing and financial wisdom of this initiative.” 

Read more: Fresh faces in final candidate lineup

Find more information on all the candidates here: Election 2025.

PHOTO: Wānaka App