A “new chapter in the story of Central Otago” is how newly elected mayor Tamah Alley described the moment she and the district’s councillors formally took office, marking the beginning of the 2025 to 2028 triennium.

The swearing-in ceremony was held on Friday afternoon (October 24) at council chambers in Alexandra, where elected members took their oaths of office before whānau, friends, and council staff.

Matapura Ellison of Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki opened proceedings with a mihi whakatau, followed by waiata from council staff.

Former council chief executive Sanchia Kumalija then presented Tamah with a kahu huruhuru - a traditional Māori cloak - before the mayor’s husband Matthew placed the mayoral chains on her shoulders as their children looked on.

In a brief address after taking her oath, Tamah said her focus for her team for the term ahead would be purpose, transparency and unity.

“We will build a culture where ideas are tested, debate is robust, and decisions are made in the best interests of our people and our place,” she said.

She acknowledged an election campaign where the district had turned around the “trend of declining voter turnout” and she said it told her the “community is paying attention”.

During the meeting, Vincent ward councillor Tracy Paterson was confirmed as the new deputy mayor, taking over from long-serving Cromwell ward councillor Neil Gillespie, who retired from district politics at the election and is now representing the region on the Otago Regional Council. 

Tracy, who was the top-polling Vincent councillor in the October elections, joins Tamah in leading a new-look council team.  

Mayor Tamah Alley is presented with the mayoral chains by her husband Matthew at the first meeting. Image: The Central App

Councillors sworn in 

Alongside Tracy, the new council includes returning councillor Martin McPherson, and newcomer Nathan McLean, representing the Vincent ward. 

For Cromwell, there are returning councillors Sarah Browne and Cheryl Laws, alongside newcomers Charlie Sanders and Bob Scott. 

From the Maniototo, Stu Duncan returns for another term, while from the Teviot Valley, Curtis Pannett takes his seat for the first time. 

Committees confirmed 

Committee appointments were also confirmed at Friday’s meeting, deciding which councillors will lead and serve across council’s governance areas. 

On the Audit and Risk Committee will be the mayor, plus councillors Sarah, Curtis, and Tracy, with Bruce Robertson acting as independent chair.

When it comes to the Executive Committee, which oversees the appointment of the deputy chair, the mayor will act as chair, with councillors Stu, Cheryl, Curtis and Tracy members.

Meanwhile, the Assessment Committee, which oversees a number of community grants, will be chaired by Sarah, with Bob as deputy.

Four ward councillors were chosen to join each of their respective community boards - Sarah for Cromwell, Martin for Vincent, Duncan for Maniototo, and Curtis for Teviot Valley.

In previous terms, three council representatives have sat on the Cromwell and Vincent community boards respectively, but the mayor was confident the drop to one to match Maniototo and Teviot Valley was the right move.

“It does mean a bit more work for those councillors, but I’m confident the ones that we’ve chosen are ready to do the mahi,” she said.

It was her view having a single councillor on each community board would provide an effective “conduit”, who would “feel the full weight of responsibility to bring the views of the community board to the table”. 

The inaugural meetings for community boards across the district will be held in the coming weeks, where local members will also be sworn in. 

Read more: Next-in-line candidate to contest Vincent by-election and Councillor withdraws, citing ‘online hatred’ 

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