The Central App asked the seven candidates for four seats on Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Dunstan constituency why they are standing for election this year.

Here’s how they responded:

Ben Farrell:

“Numerous friends and colleagues have suggested they want to see people like me standing for council and I’m about to complete about 24 years voluntary service to the New Zealand resource management/planning profession, so will have some capacity to get involved around the council table. 

“There is significant change affecting local government, with more to come, and now that we have four seats in the ORC Dunstan Constituency now seems like an appropriate time to stand up.”

Neil Gillespie:

“After 15 years as Central Otago’s deputy mayor, being a district councillor since 2001 and Cromwell Community Board member since 1998, I have decided not to seek re-election to the Central Otago District Council. Instead, I have decided stand for a position on the Dunstan ward of the Otago Regional Council.

“My vast experience in resource management through my role as chair of the Central Otago District Council Hearings Panel and at Contact Energy, means the ORC is a really good fit for me.

“My community and council roles have meant that I’ve been part of a team that has worked for the appropriate community outcomes - individually we can do little at the council table, so I believe it is essential that the elected councillors work as a team to deliver outcomes that are best for our communities – we don’t have to agree with each other. The debates need to be robust and determined on the best information and data.

“My knowledge of local government and governance which is backed up by a pragmatic, logical and common-sense approach needs to be at the table. I will not make any promises of what I will do – one vote does not a majority make.

“However, I am an experienced, considered and capable community representative with no agendas or vested interests. I understand governance, have a deep and thorough understanding of the processes that the ORC needs to work through, with and around.”

Matt Hollyer:

“I am motivated by the community I have been part of for many years. In particular the conservation community of Wānaka and Queenstown that I have got to know through my work over the past five years. There are a vast number of volunteers, businesses, and landowners who are determined to make improvements to our natural environment - and I want to help them as much as I can. 

“I have already created the Conservation Alliance as an informal grouping of community conservation groups, and with the backing of these people established the concept and lobbied ORC to establish the large scale environmental fund. So I believe I have the street cred of being effective and making positive things happen.  

“I have also been part of the ORC led catchment action plan being developed for the Upper Lakes - a great concept, now I want to be part of ensuring it is set up to deliver.”

ORC Dunstan constituency candidates (clockwise from top): Michael Laws, Gary Kelliher, Nicky Rhodes, Ben Farrell, Matt Hollyer, Neil Gillespie, and Amie Pont.

Gary Kelliher:

“I believe under our Vision Otago umbrella we have the potential to have a far more balanced group of councillors make a meaningful change to the ORC. Actually reduce rates, improve water quality where needed, and restore democracy to the council table rather than total direction from staff being accepted by a majority of ideology believing councillors.”

Michael Laws:

“To create a council that reduces its rates demands, makes a positive impact upon the environment, respects the communities that it serves (and actually listens to them), creates an effective pest eradication plan, and restores local democracy. Those are not simply Vision Otago's priorities, but my political passion over the next three years.” 

Amie Pont:

“After a first initial chat with an outgoing ORC councillor prior to the last election three years ago I mentioned it again recently to a few friends, family and colleagues and then everything started to fall into place. 

“I have spent my life serving the community and wider regions in many ways and this is the next logical progression of that passion. 

“I am genuine, have a healthy view on the reality of governance pressures and want to contribute the skills I have developed over the years in a meaningful way.”

Nicky Rhodes:

“I have been thinking about how I can best contribute to my region, which is why I have teamed up with Vision Otago – we have a real opportunity to give a voice back to our communities, with candidates across the region; to achieve rates reduction through practical solutions; and effect a positive impact on the environment with our plan for fresh water quality and pest control, which we believe is of the highest importance – for many people in the region, our environment is our economy.”