The Upper Clutha has more choice of candidates for the district’s mayor, the newly named Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward and the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community board after last minute candidates boosted numbers. 

Local election nominations for the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) closed today (Friday August 12) at noon and every seat will be contested.

There are 16 roles available, including the position of mayor, 11 councillor positions, and four community board members. Some nominees put their names down for more than one role.

There are six candidates for the position of mayor: Al Angus, John Mitchell, Glyn Lewers, Daniel Shand (who is also running for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward), Neeta Shetty, and Olivia Wensley.

There are eight candidates for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward, which has four seats. 

They are Barry Bruce, Oliver (Olly) Burke, Lyal Cocks, Ross McCarthy, Daniel Shand, Quentin Smith, Cody Tucker, and John Wellington.

And there are seven candidates for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board, which has four seats.

Those candidates are Barry Bruce, Lyal Cocks, Chris Hadfield, Emily Hay, Linda Joll, Simon Telfer, and John Wellington.

Incumbent Leigh Overton was the sole candidate for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward of Central Otago Health Inc (which manages Dunstan Hospital) so will be declared elected.

QLDC electoral officer Jane Robertson said she had a busy morning dealing with a last-minute rush of nominations.

“We now have plenty of candidates and that’s really pleasing.”

Jane said the focus would now be on encouraging people to vote with a big campaign by QLDC kicking off soon, including a competition for young adults to design a poster to increase voter participation.

Previous: Design competition opens to district’s young people

“We strongly encourage people to learn about the different candidates and what they stand for. 

“There are upcoming candidate debates, hosted by organisations such as Ignite Wānaka and the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce,” she said.

A person can vote in the elections if they are 18 years old or older, and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and they have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for one year or more continuously at some point.

Voting papers will be sent in mid-September for their return by Saturday October 8.

Special votes are available to people who are not enrolled but qualify to vote, for people who did not receive voting papers in the mail, or whose papers have been spoiled or damaged, and for those whose name appears on the unpublished electoral roll.

A person can make a special vote by popping into the QLDC Wānaka office at 47 Ardmore Street between Friday 16 September and Saturday 8 October.

Read more about candidates in News & Views.

PHOTO: Wānaka App