A Central Otago councillor-elect has withdrawn from the election process following allegations of past misconduct, including invoice tampering.

Dave McKenzie, who was elected to the Vincent Ward of Central Otago District Council (CODC), on Saturday (October 11), released a statement this afternoon saying he was proud he “tried to do something good by standing for council for the benefit of the ratepayers”. 

“Thank you for all the people who saw my ideals, worthy of your vote,” his statement said.

“I stand by every decision or action I have taken in my life and the accountability that goes along with that.”

The Central App reported this morning (Wednesday October 15) on a newly released CODC report which revealed details of an internal investigation into invoice tampering by a company owned by the councillor-elect. 

The report said council staff discovered the company had altered subcontractor invoices when claiming payment from the council, and that Dave admitted altering the subcontractor invoice.

Read more: Report details invoice tampering by new councillor 

This followed a Facebook post on Saturday (October 11) under the headline ‘The public deserves to know’, which made allegations about Dave. Further posts have followed.

“The online destructive, misinformation and hatred has become a too high price to pay for my children, my wife, and my physical and mental wellbeing,” Dave said today in his statement.

“I am disappointed, I am forced to put our wellbeing ahead of the community’s need. Therefore, I resign/withdraw from the council election with immediate effect.”

He said his family wishes “to take some time, decompress and move on” with their lives, adding he would not be making any further comments on his resignation or online posts.

Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley released a statement confirming she had received an email from Dave McKenzie advising of his decision.

If official election results later this week confirm him as a councillor, Tamah said, “his resignation will take effect immediately”. 

“This will trigger a by-election for the Vincent ward, expected to be held in the next few months,” she said.

“While this will incur additional costs for ratepayers, I believe it is the best outcome to ensure our community’s full confidence in the integrity of their council over the next three years."

A council spokesperson told The Central App the last by-election it held (the Cromwell Community Board by-election in 2023) cost $42,000 (incl GST). Costs, especially postage, have risen significantly, and Vincent is the largest ward.

The Local Electoral Act 2001, which guides candidate withdrawal, says a candidate can only withdraw after the close of nominations through medical incapacitation, but this needs to be done before the closing of voting.

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