With six candidates vying to be mayor of the Upper Clutha (and the rest of Queenstown Lakes district) we thought we’d ask them to identify the top three challenges facing Wānaka.

We also asked the candidates - Glyn Lewers, Darren Rewi, John Glover, Nik Kiddle, Al Angus, and Daniel Shand - how they would engage with the Upper Clutha community if they become mayor.

Darren Rewi: 

Top three challenges: 

1. Rates - $277M of expenditure and only $139M income through rates. How do we address the shortfall. A water [council controlled organisation] CCO is included in this mix, because regardless of whether the CCO is within or outside the council it's still nearly an additional $5K not including your rates bill. 
2. Growth - Does Wānaka sprawl or do we intensify. How does the council enable that conversation and not arrive with an ‘I know best’ attitude.
3. Wānaka Airport - It's disappointing that the council is not listening to the community and any development.

How he would engage with the community: “If the Upper Clutha community vote well and I was the mayor, there are some outstanding Wānaka based candidates for the role of deputy. Closer alignment with the community board and regular bi monthly meetings with the community.”

John Glover: 

1. Restoring trust in QLDC. This has to happen if we are going to work together on better outcomes for our communities.
2. Availability of places that people can afford to call home - be that owned or rented. And ensuring our kids or grandkids can have the same opportunities that we have.
3. Growth without the provision of public transport, bridges, wastewater and any sense of good urban design.

How he would engage with the community: “Listening to the residents would be a great start and make a refreshing change. I’d establish a working group - the residents would decide who that is - to listen to how people feel about QLDC and why; allow full public scrutiny of the finances, and identify what changes can and should be made to restore trust, deliver equity and reduce costs.

I’d make myself available for a monthly drop in session at the community hub (if they’d have me!). I’d ensure council hold more of its meetings and workshops in the Upper Clutha. I’d attend regular meetings with the chamber and [Wānaka tourism organisation]”

Nik Kiddle: 

1. Controlling growth so that it protects the outstanding natural environment and matches infrastructure capacity, especially waste and wastewater management and roading infrastructure including the Albert Town bridge.  
2. Securing improved public health services including via public private partnerships leveraging the government’s elective boost programme.
3. Achieving community driven outcomes for Wānaka Airport.

How he would engage with the community: “Be there, regularly. I visit at least once a fortnight and would welcome invitations to participate personally in events.

We will continue to convene council meetings in Wānaka and maintain direct, open lines of communication with the community board, as well as working seamlessly with Wānaka’s elected council representatives. Staying tuned in to Wānaka media helps inform ongoing engagement and being accessible via phone and email is essential for the mayor's ongoing engagement with Wānaka.” 

Al Angus: 

1. The council's refusal to engage, or when they do it's nothing more than a cynical box ticking exercise.
2. Council's deliberately sluggish consent processes, from simple sheds and fences to houses. They drag it out, sucking as much money as possible out of the process.
3. Forward planning infrastructure so if today’s children can afford homes there at least they won't face the council delivered disaster facing Queenstown.

How he would engage: “If I became mayor it would make sense for me to have accommodation in Wānaka for a day or two every meeting. I'd be happy to set aside time to meet singularly or in groups Wānaka locals and discuss their concerns.”

Glyn Lewers and Daniel Shand did not respond.

PHOTOS: Supplied