Startup Queenstown Lakes CEO Olivia Wensley has thrown her hat into the ring for the Queenstown Lakes mayoralty. 

The former lawyer, known for leading the charge against sexual harassment in the legal profession in New Zealand, announced today she will stand in the October election. 

“The key driver behind my decision to run for mayor is to build a better future for our children,” Olivia said.

“We can achieve this by diversifying our economy and working with educational institutions to provide more options for our communities.

“We must take the climate emergency seriously. We need practical solutions and more importantly, action - so we can act as the best caretakers for our future generations.”

Olivia (37) will go head-to-head with former Labour Party general election candidate Jon Mitchell, who is the only other person to announce they are running so far. 

Incumbent mayor Jim Boult has announced he is not seeking a third term.

Olivia, a married mum-of-two, spoke out in 2018 about her experiences at law firms, and later criticised the New Zealand Law Society's handling of the Russell McVeagh scandal, where it has been alleged that multiple interns were sexually assaulted and harassed.

In 2019 Olivia was nominated for New Zealander of the Year.

Earlier this month, it emerged she had helped two women escape the controversial West Coast community of Gloriavale.  

Local body elections will be held on October 8, 2022 and candidate nominations officially open on Friday July 15, 2022. 

The local election is conducted by postal vote with voting papers sent out to those on the electoral roll three to four weeks in advance of the voting closure date.

PHOTO: Supplied