NZ Local Elections 2025

Mayor of Queenstown-Lakes

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the district and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Queenstown-Lakes District Council mayoral election.

Candidates

Policies

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Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

  • Identify budget savings and new sources of funding to dampen down rates increases.

    Maintain prudent financial management.

    Review commitments, risks and liabilities arising from proposed major projects outside of core business.

  • Review development contribution and rates policies to ensure growth pays its way and does not place additional debt on existing ratepayers.

    Review rates and development contribution policies to remove those that provide discounts for visitor accommodation.

    Lead a discussion around use of fair price in relation to costs of using public land in leases, permits and so on.

  • Identify budget savings and new sources of funding to dampen down rates increases.

    Maintain prudent financial management.

    Review commitments, risks and liabilities arising from proposed major projects outside of core business.

  • Review development contribution and rates policies to ensure growth pays its way and does not place additional debt on existing ratepayers.

    Review rates and development contribution policies to remove those that provide discounts for visitor accommodation.

    Lead a discussion around use of fair price in relation to costs of using public land in leases, permits and so on.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

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