Members of the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) have proposed a name change for Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), suggesting that removing the word ‘Queenstown’ from the name may change perceptions about Wānaka’s role in the district.

WUCCB second-term member Chris Hadfield and QLDC councillor Cody Tucker recently came up with the idea to change the name of the council, and pitched it to the board.

“Perception is reality. If we keep saying we’re Queenstown Lakes, people will just accept that we are part of Queenstown. And we’re not. We’re separate; we’re different,” Chris told the Wānaka App.

“Generally around the community board we think it’s a good idea.”

Chris wants a generic name to reflect that the district includes Wānaka, Hāwea, Luggate and so on. Options suggested so far include Southern Lakes District Council, Alpine Lakes District Council, Aspiring District Council, or a Māori name.

QLDC’s reaction to the proposal was to say it was “too hard, too expensive, and the process too long”, Chris said.

But Chris says while it is currently “all about Queenstown”, the Wānaka Ward already has more ratepayers in it than the Queenstown Ward, and “one day we’re going to be bigger than them”.

Chris decided there would probably never be a good time, so “why not now”.

An investigation is currently underway by the Local Government Commission (LGC) into a request to review and investigate the representation of the Upper Clutha District to create a new district council for the area of the current Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward.

The ‘Wrexit’ proposal was mooted two years ago by Dean Rankin, a long-term local, and a petition of support was circulated which garnered 1,200 signatures.

A response to the LGC investigation from QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen in August said the review was unjustified but it acknowledged there was “clearly some level of perception of inequity amongst the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community”, saying concerns have been ongoing since Wānaka was amalgamated with the QLDC in 1989.

Read more: Upper Clutha community has ‘perception of inequity’ - QLDC

There is a perception of inequity amongst the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community, and has been since Wānaka was amalgamated with the QLDC in 1989, says QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen.

Chris said the LGC asked the WUCCB if it thought the ‘Wrexit’ proposal should be investigated, and when the board said ‘yes’, the LGC told them such an investigation would take 18 months.

The LGC also asked if there were other measures that could be taken outside a reorganisation to help address concerns.

Chris suggested if the LGC’s decision is not to recommend that Wānaka separates from QLDC, the “Queenstown-centric-ness” of the district could be reduced with a name change.

However, Dean Rankin told the Wānaka App yesterday (Monday November 6) that more than a name change was needed.

“We are still going to be run by the same council, which doesn't have the Wānaka/Upper Clutha regions best interests at heart. 

“To me this is just another smoke screen to try and increase morale in residents/ratepayers on this side of the hill. Which is currently at an all time low.

“It's not going to accomplish anything and be a waste of money, that could be put towards something we all really need.”

Chris acknowledged that a name change would be a “huge, expensive” undertaking, but said it wouldn’t have to happen quickly, but rather as things change - such as upgrading cars or replacing signage.

“It’s not like [we’re] rebranding with a deadline. We could have a competition. Rates-free for a year if you choose the name,” he said.

The name change proposal is likely to be raised in the chair’s (Simon Telfer’s) report at the WUCCB’s next meeting, Chris said.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App