While the end of New Zealand’s rural copper network “marks the end of an era”, Central Otago’s mayor is confident modern alternatives can cover connectivity needs across the district.Tamah Alley says the move "highlights just how far technology has come”.The comments come after the Commerce Commission recommended deregulation to the Minister for Media and Communications, arguing that copper regulation is no longer necessary to promote competition. The mayor acknowledged the challenges of losing copper in areas without fibre but said new technologies are helping bridge the gap.“Previously, the loss of copper in areas where fibre internet is not available has been a huge barrier, but the increase in availability and reduction in cost of satellite options will cover most situations,” she said.“In the past, the copper network has served as a ‘backup’ for emergency situations, but council now uses Starlink to fill that gap.“It’s not inconceivable that within the next few years all our smart phones will also be satellite phones.”Commerce Commission telecommunications commissioner Tristan Gilbertson says rural consumers are increasingly moving to “cheaper and better performing alternatives”, and fewer than a third of rural households still rely on copper.If the minister approves deregulation, Chorus could begin withdrawing copper infrastructure from rural areas. But Rural Women New Zealand is urging caution. “Our members understand and accept the reasoning behind the move away from copper,” national president Sandra Matthews said. “However, we’re concerned about the consequences for rural people, particularly those without access to alternative technologies, with medical needs, or for whom digital literacy remains a barrier.”She says copper is still a lifeline for many rural families and older residents, and a well-resourced, transparent education campaign to support the transition was required.The sentiment is echoed by Federated Farmers, which is urging decision makers to ensure rural communities aren’t left behind as technology shifts.As if to prove the point, a live interview on the topic on RNZ’s Nine to Noon show in recent weeks cut out when the group’s rural connectivity spokesperson Mark Hooper’s line from his Taranaki dairy farm failed."I couldn’t have timed it better if I tried," he said."Just as Bryan Crump was suggesting rural people had plenty of modern alternatives to rely on, he got to see firsthand what those of us who live in rural New Zealand deal with every day."Rural connectivity isn't up to scratch, cellular reception is patchy at best, and Chorus’s withdrawal of the copper network only adds to concerns many rural residents have about connectivity.”The Commerce Commission has emphasised the need for a managed withdrawal process to protect consumers, similar to the Copper Withdrawal Code used in urban centres.Chorus has reassured remaining copper users they will be given ample notice and support to transition to alternatives such as fixed wireless, regional internet providers, or satellite connections. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith is expected to make a final decision by the end of the year.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

A new bloc of candidates for Otago Regional Council (ORC) is promising not just a rates freeze, but actual rates cuts.Vision Otago, which includes sitting Dunstan councillors Michael Laws and Gary Kelliher, launched its rates and finance policy this week, pledging to “reduce rates, not hold them” over their first council term.The group said its campaign is fuelled by what it calls the “obscene annual rate rises” of recent years.While this year the average rates rise for the region was 5.5 percent - significantly lower than the forecast 13.8 percent - it was 16.6 percent, 18.8 percent, 18 percent, and 48.5 percent in the years preceding.Michael said households in Central Otago and Southern Lakes often experienced rates rises higher than average.Both he and Gary refused to sign off on rates rises in the past term in a bid to “instil more responsibility to the council’s finances”.Vision Otago argues the council has let spending spiral, pointing to staff numbers they say have almost doubled in recent years, a new Dunedin headquarters that is over budget and behind schedule, and the contrast of still hiking rates despite fully owning Port Otago and banking a $15M dividend last year.“In the midst of a cost of living crisis – when farmers, businesses and ordinary households are doing it tough – the ORC has purposefully turned a blind eye,” Michael said.“This isn’t so much not reading the room – this is not reading the region.”In the Dunstan constituency, a third candidate for council, Nicky Rhodes, a commercial real estate agent based in Wānaka, is also running on the Vision Otago ticket.The elections will be conducted by postal vote using, for the first time, the Single Transferable Vote system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference and can encourage strategic grouping.At a meet-the-candidates event held in central Queenstown on Monday night (September 1), local Queenstown-based ORC hopefuls Matt Hollyer and Ben Farrell reportedly joined forces to suggest voters rank them ‘1’ and ‘2’ on the ballot - then stop there, to up the chance of a strong Wakatipu voice on the council.The Dunstan constituency covers the communities of Wānaka, Cromwell, Tarras, Makarora, Alexandra, Maniototo and Teviot Valley, in addition to Queenstown.Long-standing Central Otago councillor and deputy mayor Neil Gillespie, of Cromwell, and Maniototo-based community worker Aime Pont round out the seven candidates vying for election to the four seats representing the area - up from three at the last election.Ballot papers are expected in letterboxes throughout the region later in September, with voting closing on Saturday, October 11. Read more: Councillors slam STV shift as 'Dunedin-centric' and ORC’s new voting system ‘easy and effective’: expertHave a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

A political scientist says the new voting system for Otago Regional Council (ORC) elections is straightforward and fair, despite two Dunstan councillors calling it confusing and unnecessary.“The single transferable vote (STV) is a very easy system for voters to use,” University of Otago politics professor Janine Hayward told The Central App. “Rank the candidates in order of your preference. Vote honestly - there is no need for tricky strategies. You don’t need to rank everyone - if you don’t rate them, don’t rank them.”In this October’s elections, Central Otago voters will use first past the post (FPP) to elect their district councillors and community board members, but STV for the regional council. The change was approved by a majority of ORC councillors last year.Professor Hayward said STV ensures more votes count towards electing a candidate. FPP, she said, “wastes votes in two ways” - on people who receive far more than they need to be elected, and on those who do not receive enough to get in at all. “That means that lots of people don’t help to elect anyone in FPP elections, and a minority of voters can elect multiple people to represent them.”STV was designed to fix that problem and does a better job of accurately reflecting the preferences of the whole community, she said.“It creates a single vote, that can transfer according to your own ranking. If your first vote ‘1’ is for someone who didn’t need it or didn’t get elected, your vote can transfer to your next preference. “It’s like an insurance policy to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to elect one person to represent them in council.”While acknowledging two voting systems on one ballot paper was “not good”, Professor Hayward said Dunedin voters had managed the situation since the early 2000s with little increase in spoiled or blank votes. “Now that ORC is using STV, it would reduce the risk of voters becoming confused if all other councils in the region also change to STV to avoid this problem.”She rejected suggestions the move was politically motivated. “Regardless of whether communities vote for left-wing or right-wing candidates, or something else entirely, that will be reflected in the result.”Her comments follow criticism last month from Dunstan councillors Michael Laws and Gary Kelliher, who described the dual voting systems as “madness” and “suspicious”, and accused Dunedin-based councillors of pushing the change.Both councillors are seeking re-election, while newcomers Ben Farrell, Neil Gillespie, Matt Hollyer, Aime Pont and Nicky Rhodes have also thrown their hats in the ring.Dunstan’s third sitting councillor, Alexa Forbes, is not seeking re-election. Following a representation review last year, the constituency has gained an additional councillor at this year’s elections, leaving seven candidates vying for four seats.Voting papers will be sent to enrolled voters in September, with voting closing at noon on Saturday, October 11.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] Read more: Councillors slam STV shift as ‘Dunedin-centric’

There has been a more than 100 percent increase in nominations for the local body elections in Central Otago compared to 2022, and the candidates will face the prospect of undertaking significant capital projects in a “tough” economic climate.Soon the public will have the opportunity to meet those candidates, with a series of ‘Meet The Candidate’ meetings to be held in coming weeks, and Central Otago Grey Power hosting two events in September.There are nine people all vying for just four spots on the Cromwell Community Board, 11 nominations for four spots on the Vincent Community Board, and two each in the Teviot and Maniototo for just one seat.Teviot Community Board member Gill Booth has stepped into the Vincent ward to try for a seat around the council table; and Teviot councillor Sally Feinerman has not put her name forward this year. Nigel McKinlay is also absent from the Cromwell ward nominations. Neither one responded to an email asking why they weren’t standing again.Meanwhile, the district council’s pre-election report, as required before a local government election, indicates an unpredictable current geo-political environment.Central Otago District Council chief executive Peter Kelly said that had a direct impact on the economy which was slowly coming out of a recession, “and we know times are tough”.Inflation had run high in recent years, which pushed up costs across the board. “This was particularly noticeable for Central Otago in the cost of construction,” Peter said. “This comes at a time when we are in a period of undertaking our biggest capital projects in recent history.”The incoming council will oversee the remainder of the Cromwell Hall build, begin a period of significant investment in the bridging network, and oversee major capital projects in the waters space and transition to a new water services entity.  Peter said council had significant land development projects occurring over the next three years, including at Dunstan Park in Alexandra, Gair Avenue and Bannockburn Road (industrial) in Cromwell, alongside the Ngāi Tahu development in Alexandra. “We also know that there are other large-scale developments under consideration over the short to medium term and ensuring we have the critical infrastructure in place to enable these developments to proceed will also be a key priority.”Election papers will be delivered between Tuesday September 9 and Monday September 22; the voting period will be Tuesday September 9 to Saturday October 11.Check out our election button for more information.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

It’s officially a three-horse race for the Central Otago mayoralty - the first contest for the district’s top job in six years.  Late last week, Charlie Sanders confirmed he would join sitting mayor Tamah Alley and Mark Quinn - the man behind grassroots activist group Challenging Councils - on the ballot. A born-and-bred Cromwell local, Charlie said his grandfather once served as mayor of the town and helped develop the Roaring Meg power scheme. He told The Central App he began his own career in the family butchery business before shifting into engineering, including a long stint at Shotover Engineering in Queenstown. Later, he supported his wife’s Cromwell-based cleaning business before retiring. Charlie said rates increases, housing unaffordability, and a lack of transparency are top concerns.  He believes Central Otago needs leadership that listens and acts “in plain sight”. “The will of the people should outweigh the whims of the elected." He said members of the public he spoke to were increasingly disillusioned with council consultation. “A lot of the time when you're asked to make a submission, the minds are made up and it's just lip service. “I think it’s reflected in how many people respond. "I want to see that change.” Charlie welcomed the strong turnout of nominations across the district, with all positions well contested - including the mayoralty. “I don’t know Tamah Alley,” he said, “but for democracy to work, she has to have someone to stand against.” In a first public statement delivered on Facebook, Charlie said he had no party affiliation or “hidden agenda”.“Just a genuine commitment to the people of Cromwell and the wider Central Otago district. I’m standing to give our community a strong voice. A voice that listens. A voice that acts. A voice that delivers.”Nominations for local government elections closed midday on Friday, with postal voting set to begin in approximately six weeks. Voting will close at midday on October 11. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] Read more: Mark Quinn to take on Tamah as Central’s mayor Countdown on for Elections 2025 Tamah Alley running for mayor   

There have been plenty of surprises in the mix for our local body elections, with some more new names coming in at the 11th hour as nominations closed at midday on Friday (August 1).Charlie Sanders from Cromwell has popped up in the mayoralty race, and among the 14 new candidates in the running for Central Otago District Council is former senior manager Louise van der Voort, a long time CODC staffer who had been in an executive role since 2004.Also nominated for the Vincent ward of CODC is Gill Booth, Cam Withington, Kas McEntyre, Dave McKenzie and Nathan McLean; in Cromwell, David George, Terry Davis, Stephen Carruth, Andrew Burns, Gareth Noble and Bob Scott are looking for a seat; as is Michelle Bisset in the Maniototo. Mark Quinn has his name down in the Teviot, alongside the mayoralty, as well as Charlie in Cromwell.Wānaka-based Nicky Rhodes has teamed up with Otago Regional councillors Gary Kelliher and Michael Laws in the Dunstan constituency to form ‘Vision Otago,’ along with Carmen Hope (Molyneux), Chanel Gardner (Dunedin) and former Dunedin City councillor Hilary Calvert. Cr Kelliher said, when contacted, that ‘Vision Otago’ was not a political alignment, “but a loose group of like-minded thinkers… we’re all about saving the ORC from itself”.Gary said he was initially sitting on the fence with regards to the group, which was instigated by Cr Laws several months ago, but decided there was an opportunity to make real change at council.“The ORC staff are just so aligned with the previous government, and now the ORC has attracted nationwide attention, something has to be done.”Amie Pont from Ranfurly is also in the running for the Dunstan ward of the ORC from Ranfurly, as are tourism manager Matt Hollyer of Queenstown and Ben Farrell, also of Queenstown. Matt said he would bring “a proven track record of strategic thinking and operational effectiveness” to the role.“I will work with diligence, integrity, and long-term thinking to build a thriving Otago – economically, socially and environmentally.”Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie also joins the Dunstan ward for the ORC after recently announcing he wasn't standing for the CODC after 25 years service. https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/deputy-mayor-to-leave-central-otago-district-council-after-nine-terms/682f8be31591fb002e65855dThere are also at least 22 new names standing for community boards in Maniototo, Teviot Valley, Vincent and Cromwell, and the Elections NZ website was still loading new names well into Friday afternoon.Contact Energy engineer Nathan McLean, of Alexandra, is a new face hoping for a seat on Central Otago District Council.The father of two said being on council had been on his bucket list for the past 10 years.He said what he brings to the council table is strong community representation, with “skin in the game”, describing himself as someone who is community connected through his various social connections, at school and sports groups.The names of all new candidates will all be published on August 6.Between September 9 and 22 voting documents will be delivered to people, and the cut off day by mail is October 7 - but council will open its ballot boxes after that.Election day 2025 is October 11 and voting closes at midday, with preliminary results out soon after.Check out our election button for more details.  Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

For the first time since 2019 Central Otago voters will have a say on who leads their district.A challenger has stepped forward to contest the mayoralty - a role that went uncontested at the last local elections, when former mayor Tim Cadogan was re-elected unopposed.Since late last year, the district has been led by Tamah Alley, who was selected by fellow councillors to step into the top job after Tim resigned to take up a role in Wellington with national water regulator Taumata Arowai.Tamah, a former police officer, became Central Otago’s first female mayor when appointed in October. Now, the mayoralty will be up for grabs again - and the first contender to publicly declare his candidacy is someone with a history of challenging local government.Mark Quinn founded the national organisation Challenging Councils, which was set up to advocate for greater transparency and community voice in local decision-making.In recent years, he has travelled throughout New Zealand, hosting meetings and presentations focused on what he claimed were systemic issues in council governance and spending.Mark, who moved to Roxburgh in 2016 and now runs a small almond orchard, said he was encouraged by supporters to stand and intended to campaign on restoring core council services, addressing rising rates, and strengthening public input.“I’ve been asked to stand for mayor by many over the last few months,” he wrote in a public announcement on social media. “Over the next two months I will be running meetings throughout the Central Otago district. I intend to draw your attention to issues that create havoc with our rates, not servicing our core infrastructure, and why the people’s voice is not being heard or followed as we are the owners of council.”He said he looked forward to working with the community “in turning this council around” and would soon set up a dedicated email address to hear directly from residents.Speaking to The Central App on Monday, Mark positioned himself as an alternative - not an opponent - to the current mayor, highlighting his business background as a key point of difference.A former consultant and analyst, he said he had worked with struggling businesses across New Zealand throughout his career, making strategic and often tough decisions.“For 40 years, (I was) troubleshooting companies, overseeing them, rebuilding them, closing them down wherever necessary.”For Mark, one of the most pressing issues facing Central Otago is what he sees as spiralling rates and a council culture that’s out of touch with the people it serves.“If you can't pay rates now, you won't (be able to) in two years - they're going to price you out,” he said.He argues council leadership is too focused on direction from central government, rather than listening to ratepayers - who he describes as the true owners of the council.Mark was now semi-retired, with three children and four grandchildren.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Two out of three councillors representing the Dunstan constituency on Otago Regional Council will throw their hats in for re-election in a few months’ time, but neither is happy with the voting system that could get them a seat around the decision-making table.The single transferable vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference, was set to be adopted in this year’s council elections.The move away from the first past the post system used previously was supported by a majority of regional councillors last year.But Dunstan councillors Michael Laws and Gary Kelliher were not among them.For Michael, the shift was further evidence of what he claimed to be a Dunedin-centric regional council.“STV was imposed on the Dunstan ward by a majority of Dunedin-based councillors,” he said.“We now have two voting systems that conflict: first-past-the-post for the CODC (Central Otago District Council) and QLDC (Queenstown Lakes District Council) mayoralty, council and community boards; and STV for the ORC Dunstan ward.”He described having two voting systems before the electorate as “madness”.“Anything that hinders voter turn-out - by making voting more difficult - is a bad idea.”Gary also voiced concern at what he saw as a block of urban councillors swaying the voting system shift.“It’s a more confusing system and it was heavily supported by the Dunedin-centric faction of the ORC councillors, so it makes me suspicious.”However, the ORC communications team was working to uncomplicate the new system for voters in a novel way.A ‘how-to’ guide published by the council on its website used the example of voters selecting their favourite ice-cream flavours to explain the process.“Cookies and cream is the best - how do I give it my vote?” the website asked.“Rank cookies and cream ‘1’ in your ballot - if you want a second option, rank that one ‘2’,” it continued.“If you really, really don't want strawberry (because eeewww), then make sure their box is as empty as their flavour.”STV had its supporters, including politics and voting specialist Professor Janine Hayward, of the University of Otago.Speaking to Dunedin media about the long-term use of the voting system by Dunedin City Council, the professor said it produced election results that reflected the wishes of the people with a high degree of accuracy.Dunstan’s third representative, Queenstown-resident Alexa Forbes, announced in February she would not be standing for re-election in this year’s election.Following a representation review last year, Dunstan would gain a fourth councillor in October’s elections.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Cromwell’s David George is hoping for a seat on Central Otago District Council (CODC) in his fourth attempt at being an elected member for local government.Elections 2025 are now officially open and candidates have until August 1 to submit their nomination.David has decided to run for council after being unsuccessful in his bid for a seat on the Cromwell Community Board in 2023 and 2022, as well as for CODC when there was a by-election.He told the Central App he came a “respectable last” each of those three times.“The time for waffle is over - it is time for action,” he said.David was a community worker in both Cromwell and Queenstown and since the 1970s has been active in reducing levels of addiction in the towns.He recently made a submission on CODC’s Long Term Plan to improve childcare in the wider Cromwell areas, and advocated for a new school at Pisa Moorings.He said that would help create a sense of community and take the pressure off Cromwell schools.A former secretary of the local fruitgrowers’ association, he also wanted council to join forces with the horticulture industry and Members of Parliament to create a market for export cherries in Australia for the smaller fruit that ripened later in the season.“We also need to keep our fine wool industry, along with the wine industry up front.”A writer and historian, David and wife Anne have lived in the Lowburn Valley for 49 years and ran a small business before retiring to Cromwell.“I encourage our young people and young families to register and to vote. To take an active interest in our community… because you are an essential part of it.”Meanwhile, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is calling for more people to put their hands up to stand in this year’s local elections in October. LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said a hallmark of healthy democracy was when people were willing to represent their community around the council table. “This year we’ll have 1,465 seats available across 66 councils, including 66 mayoral seats and 683 community board seats. There will also be 127 seats up for election across the 11 regional councils.”At the last local election, there were 3,119 people standing across 1,607 seats across the country; a ratio of almost two people for every seat. Seven mayors were elected unopposed into their roles in the last election, while 40 percent of members elected for the first time.   “Obviously we’d like to have more candidates standing, as evidence tells us that the more candidates who are contesting a seat, the higher the voter turnout will be. And ultimately, we want more New Zealanders heading to the polls to have their say; the 42 percent voter turnout at the 2022 local elections was not good enough,” Susan said. 

It’s getting closer to Election 2025 in October and there were now four candidate information sessions around Central Otago for those intending to stand.A joint meeting with Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council will be held next Tuesday (July 1) in Alexandra, followed by another one in Roxburgh on July 4 for just CODC. A further meeting will be held in Cromwell the following Tuesday (July 8) and an online Q+A on Thursday July 10. This week the Central App talks to Cromwell based district councillor Cheryl Laws on her thoughts leading into the election.Will you be standing again?I am putting my name forward for the Central Otago District Council, Cromwell Ward. Why?I have enjoyed my time as a councillor and community board member. It’s very satisfying when a project comes to fruition and I know the council has done something that will benefit the community. How long have you been involved with CODC?I have served two terms as a district councillor and a community board member. What achievement are you most proud of in the time you have been a councillor?Some time ago the Cromwell Community Board agreed upon a design for Gare Estate stage two. Frustratingly this took significantly longer than anticipated however, I’m pleased this development is back on track and I intend to make sure the integrity of the original design is adhered to with green spaces and priority given to first time purchasers before going to the open market. What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?Be patient, things don’t move fast in local government which can be incredibly frustrating. You are only one vote around the table and as a district councillor you represent the whole district not just your ward. But I think most importantly, you need time. Sometimes there is significant reading required to prepare for council meetings, community board meetings and workshops. What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward?Rates affordability is becoming a critical issue facing our district. Central Otago is a very popular part of New Zealand to live and managing this growth incurs increasing costs for our ratepayers. Constant regulatory changes imposed upon local government by central government with no extra funding leaving our rate payers bearing the brunt of the costs associated to these changes. Having said that, Central Otago is a wonderful place to live and that’s why we all live here.Find out more about the candidate meetings here.

We continue our pre-election coverage with a Q+A with Sarah Browne from Cromwell.At this stage there have only been a few whispers about possible contenders for the Central Otago mayoralty, with Tamah Alley the only one so far to announce her intention. Meanwhile, in Invercargill, there were now five big names in the running for the top job - with Nobby Clark standing down and retiring in October.Over in Queenstown Lakes, Nik Kiddle and John Glover announced their intention to stand for Mayor against Glyn Lewers.Anybody standing or just curious about the role and responsibility of being a district or regional councillor, was invited to a joint presentation in Alexandra on Tuesday July 1.The Otago Regional Council and Central Otago District Council were holding five presentations during June and July for anyone wanting to learn more about what is involved if you become a councillor.Sarah Browne - Central Otago District councillor and Cromwell Community Board member.Will you be standing again?  I most certainly will! For a seat on the Central Otago District Council representing the Cromwell Ward.Why or why not? I have enjoyed my first term as an elected member and would like to continue this and keep trying to bridge the gap between the people of the district and the organisation. I have learned so much in my first term that I feel a subsequent term would be valuable.How long have you already been involved exactly? I have served one term so far as an elected member for the Cromwell Ward, and also on the Cromwell Community Board.What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been a councillor/community board member/deputy mayor? I am achieving what I set out to by standing, and that was to increase the touch points of the overwhelming amount of information surrounding council activity and the community, by just being out and about and talking to people about what is happening and why. Local Government is a slow moving beast with a lot of layers that the general public don't necessarily understand or have time to investigate, but I believe I have brought an easy access point for anyone wanting to get in touch or find something out.I am also proud to be a member of the Community Board here that stood up so vocally for its residents when Districtisation was on the table.What advice do you have for any new candidates standing? Be certain that you are standing for the greater good and not for a single issue, and understand that you are joining a table where you are 1 vote of 11; you probably won't be changing the world, but what you do can make a difference. Also, take everything you read online and in print about us with a pinch of salt!What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward that you are particularly passionate about? For Cromwell in particular, but Central Otago as a whole, growth and infrastructure are our main issues. We are a very small population over a very large area, so costs are high and shared by few. Planning well and costing out projects to be intergenerational is important, but taking our residents on the journey with us is essential so they understand the why as well as the what. Cutting costs is one thing, but this can't happen at the expense of future needs, so the balancing act is difficult. I want to ensure that the current population can afford to live here, but that our children aren't going to pick up a bill in the future for what we put off today.

We continue our pre-election coverage this week with a few more profiles of those who have indicated they were standing again in the Elections 2025.Martin McPherson has been a Vincent ward Central Otago District councillor and community board member since 1985, and we asked him a few questions:Will you be standing again?  YesWhy or why not?I am still enjoying the work and am confident I have more to offerHow long have you already been involved exactly?I was first elected to the Alexandra community board in 1995What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been a councillor/community board member/deputy mayor?My work on the hearings panel and various plan changes, especially Plan change 19.Read more: Plan Change operative despite Enviro Court appealsWhat advice do you have for any new candidates standing?The ship of state has a very small steering wheel - things take time to turn around.What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward that you are particularly passionate about?Growth and how we manage this, and the effect on infrastructure and the costs associated with this, and its impact on rates going forward.Read more: Local Elections 2025: Who’s Standing and Why

In this pre election feature, I ask five quick-fire questions to current community board members, giving you insight into their plans, motivations, and what’s next for local leadership in Central Otago.1. Will you be standing again?   If so, Why?Yes, for council in the Vincent Ward and for the Vincent Community Board. Because there is a lot going on in this district now. For example, the opportunities and challenges that come with rapid population growth and the financial pressures that come from continued changes in regulation from Central Government, especially in the water space. I believe that we need a diverse group of people around the table with different views, backgrounds, and skill sets working together to find the best possible solutions to our challenges. I’m confident that over the past three years I‘ve built up the skills, knowledge, and relationships with the community, elected members, and staff to be part of that team. I still believe that we need to work closely with NGO’s, businesses, and other groups to meet our community's ambitions. And most importantly we need to make sure that decisions made today benefit current residents but also those that come next.  2. How long have you already been involved? At the next election I will have completed my first term on the Vincent Community Board, about two years as deputy chair and about one year as chair.     3. What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been a community board member? Personally, it would be making myself easily accessible and available to groups, organisations, and individuals.  Taking the VCB to Clyde and Omakau. Showing that the Vincent Ward is more than just one community but a grouping of unique urban and rural communities that all have their own identities, needs, ambitions, and challenges.Collectively as a board, it is being able to work as a team. We got a lot done this term by working collaboratively together in the best interest of the community instead of ‘playing politics’. This was especially true in the approach we took in our Long Term Plan (LTP) recommendations, balancing ‘sticking to the basics’ and ‘the wellbeing of our communities’.   Also, working alongside our communities to progress work on long awaited community projects- Kamoanaheahea-Riverside Park, IceInLine roof, Manuherekia Valley Community Hub, and the Dunstan Turf. Proving that working collaboratively with our community gets results without the need to further increase rates by carrying the full costs.    4. What advice do you have for any new candidates standing? 1. Understand the time commitment. Being an elected member is more than one meeting a month (council) or every six weeks (community board). Those are the meetings where decisions are made, but there is the prep work agendas that can range from 100-1,000 pages. You will have meetings with groups and/or organisations you're assigned to, plus meetings with the public. To properly understand and represent the community you need to be able to commit the necessary time. 2. Remember that if successful you are one voice and one vote around the table. You can promise anything in a campaign but you need to be careful not to over promise, because without majority agreement you can't get it across the line. The skills of teamwork and building consensus will be your most valuable.      5. What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward that you are particularly passionate about? 1. Balancing the basics with the community's ambitions and needs. A new road is nice, but you need people to drive on it. We have to get water and roading right. Past under investment, lack of funds through rating being our only sustainable income (land can only be sold once), and continuous regulatory changes from Wellington have put us in a difficult position that won't be solved with an easy answer or magic wand. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to support the services and projects that matter to the people of our area. It’s about working creatively and collaboratively with others in a balanced way to meet our needs in both the ‘need to have’ and ‘nice to have’ categories.     2. Housing availability - making sure there is enough supply to meet growth. We all know someone that has had to leave behind their support network because of this. We need to work with developers to ensure we have the necessary housing stock. Support groups thinking outside the box with projects like Abbeyfield. Using developer contributions wisely along with land still owned by council.   

Tamah Alley, a former police constable, mum and an advocate for sustainable development, has announced she is running for Central Otago mayor in this year’s local government elections. With a background in community service and a passion for fostering economic growth and local democracy, Tamah hopes to continue to lead Central Otago into the future.She became the first female mayor in the district in October 2024 following Tim Cadogan's resignation and has become known for her open approach to local government leadership. "I am deeply committed to Central Otago and its residents, and helping shape a future where we continue to thrive as communities," said Tamah."My vision is an intergenerational community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and live their best lives. “I believe in transparent governance and will work tirelessly to ensure all our people have the opportunity to contribute to our vision."Tamah brings experience to her candidacy as she has served on various local boards and committees, including Southern Lakes Trails and Cromwell Youth Trust, and has implemented initiatives forpublic engagement such as short videos known as ‘mayor in a minute’.Her term will focus on housing solutions, including opportunities to partner with private providers, diversifying councils income streams to be less reliant on rates and establishing a long term solution to water and wastewater that gives the best outcome for all water consumers. Local elections 2025 decide who represents the community on city, district and regional councils. They will run across New Zealand from September 9 to October 11, 2025. The Central App will publish profiles of those standing in the run up to the elections. View Electoral Commission information about voting in local elections hereHave a story to share?Contact [email protected]