Nine candidates will contest five seats on the Central Lakes Trust (CLT) board in the upcoming elections, including Upper Clutha residents Kathy Dedo and Dave Currie.

Voting papers will be sent out from October 16, with residents across Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago able to choose who helps manage CLT’s nearly $600M in assets.

CLT distributes grants to charitable trusts and community grants every month - and has distributed more than $168M in grants since its establishment in 2000.

Kathy is seeking re-election after two terms on the board.

“With a vision of ‘our community is a better place,’ I love being a CLT trustee,” she said. 

“It’s a privilege to serve as deputy chair and audit and risk committee chair, managing $571M and supporting projects throughout our region.”

Dave, who lives in Lake Hāwea, brings a background in sport and governance, having served as Chef de Mission for New Zealand’s Olympic and Paralympic teams and held leadership roles in national organisations.

“I am in awe of this special place we are privileged to call home,” he said. “What drives me is leaving a legacy of place for my grandchildren.”

Other nominees include Mark Christie, Alexa Forbes, Neil Gillespie, Tony Lepper, Chris Phoon, Michael Rewi, and Trudi Webb. 

Mark said he brings “strong skills in building effective, collaborative teams” from his corporate and community leadership roles, while Alexa - an Otago Regional Council councillor - said her focus is “acting now for a better future”.

Three sitting trustees are re-standing - Kathy, Tony and Trudy - while Lindsay Breen and Jim Boult will step down at the end of the term.

The elected trustees will join three appointed members to form the governing body that oversees CLT’s investments and grant-making.

Residents within Central Otago should expect their voting papers to arrive from mid-October, and voting will close at midday on November 21.

The results of the election will be published by November 25.

Read the full candidate profiles for each nominee at the CLT website here.