For the first time since 2019 Central Otago voters will have a say on who leads their district.

A challenger has stepped forward to contest the mayoralty - a role that went uncontested at the last local elections, when former mayor Tim Cadogan was re-elected unopposed.

Since late last year, the district has been led by Tamah Alley, who was selected by fellow councillors to step into the top job after Tim resigned to take up a role in Wellington with national water regulator Taumata Arowai.

Tamah, a former police officer, became Central Otago’s first female mayor when appointed in October. 

Now, the mayoralty will be up for grabs again - and the first contender to publicly declare his candidacy is someone with a history of challenging local government.

Mark Quinn founded the national organisation Challenging Councils, which was set up to advocate for greater transparency and community voice in local decision-making.

In recent years, he has travelled throughout New Zealand, hosting meetings and presentations focused on what he claimed were systemic issues in council governance and spending.

Mark, who moved to Roxburgh in 2016 and now runs a small almond orchard, said he was encouraged by supporters to stand and intended to campaign on restoring core council services, addressing rising rates, and strengthening public input.

“I’ve been asked to stand for mayor by many over the last few months,” he wrote in a public announcement on social media. 

“Over the next two months I will be running meetings throughout the Central Otago district. I intend to draw your attention to issues that create havoc with our rates, not servicing our core infrastructure, and why the people’s voice is not being heard or followed as we are the owners of council.”

He said he looked forward to working with the community “in turning this council around” and would soon set up a dedicated email address to hear directly from residents.

Speaking to The Central App on Monday, Mark positioned himself as an alternative - not an opponent - to the current mayor, highlighting his business background as a key point of difference.

A former consultant and analyst, he said he had worked with struggling businesses across New Zealand throughout his career, making strategic and often tough decisions.

“For 40 years, (I was) troubleshooting companies, overseeing them, rebuilding them, closing them down wherever necessary.”

For Mark, one of the most pressing issues facing Central Otago is what he sees as spiralling rates and a council culture that’s out of touch with the people it serves.

“If you can't pay rates now, you won't (be able to) in two years - they're going to price you out,” he said.

He argues council leadership is too focused on direction from central government, rather than listening to ratepayers - who he describes as the true owners of the council.

Mark was now semi-retired, with three children and four grandchildren.

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