Anybody standing or just curious about the role and responsibility of being a district or regional councillor, is invited to a joint presentation in Alexandra on Tuesday July 1.

The Otago Regional Council and Central Otago District Council are holding five presentations during June and July for anyone wanting to learn more about what is involved if you become a councillor.

Topics covered during the presentation include:

• how the council is structured
• the role and responsibilities of elected representatives
• skills required
• anticipated time commitments
• meeting schedules
• an overview of the nomination and election processes

https://www.orc.govt.nz/get-involved/events/2025/july/candidate-information-presentation-with-central-otago-district-council/

We continue our pre-election coverage with another Q+A - this time Otago Regional Council Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher responds:

Will you be standing again?  

Yes

Why or why not?

I have been encouraged to stand again by a number of people and I feel there's unfinished business with the delayed Land and Water Plan, and attempting to rein in escalating rates, and ideological decision making.

How long have you already been involved exactly?

I had an initial term 2013 to 2016, and then from 2019 until now.

What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been a councillor?

That's a tough question as I have found myself evolving into a position thats almost continually at odds with most other councillors and staff. I don't pride myself in having to regularly challenge with negativity, however to me I’m not prepared to just go with the flow and accept what regional councils have become...a monopoly on resources that cost more and achieve less. 

What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?

To new candidates I say that if you want a cruisy role and you have a tendency to agree to everything put in front of you, then in my mind please reconsider. Local and regional government is very broken in this country, councils are run by their staff and not enough councillors say no. We desperately need more councillors who will say no.

What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward that you are particularly passionate about?

The ORC needs reined in, rates brought under control, escalating staff numbers brought under control, and the council turned from being restrictors and halters of everything necessary to the region. We have to turn the focus towards growing our economy and at the same time protecting the environment. And stop council being a major impediment to the hardworking ratepayers of the region who just want to get on with that.

https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/deputy-mayor-to-leave-central-otago-district-council-after-nine-terms/682f8be31591fb002e65855d