Vincent ward councillor Tracy Paterson has been appointed Central Otago’s new deputy mayor. 

Mayor Tamah Alley confirmed the appointment at the first meeting of the new council on Friday (October 24), marking the start of the 2025 to 2028 triennium. 

The decision signals a shift in leadership geography for the district for the first time in a decade and a half, with both the mayor and deputy mayor being from the Vincent ward. 

Since 2010, the deputy role had been held by Cromwell ward councillor Neil Gillespie, who retired from district level politics at the election. 

Tamah said her decision reflected Tracy’s “wealth of experience”, highlighting her “background in law, farming, and business, and an outstanding record of community service”.

“She understands both the practical realities of running a business and the deep connection people have to the land and to each other in this district,” she said.

Tracy was the top-polling Vincent ward councillor in the local body elections.

She has called Central Otago home for 25 years, and she describes it as a place she is “incredibly proud of”.

Together with her husband and children, she farms fine wool at Matakanui Station in Ōmakau.

A returning councillor for the Vincent ward, she earlier told The Central App her focus for the coming term would be on creating a cohesive council, able to have challenging conversations respectfully, while remaining connected to its communities. 

The new council was officially sworn in today, with all elected members taking their oaths of office before the public and council staff in Alexandra. 

Look out for more coverage from the meeting on The Central App on Saturday morning.

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