Q Do you think you’ve gained the confidence to speak up for the region?
I don’t think I ever lacked confidence to do that. I knew that part of this job would be head spokesperson, and sometimes salesperson, for a place that I passionately love and believe in. Speaking up over the proposed irrigation tax and the potential impact of that proposal on this district caused a strong reaction in some quarters, including anonymous hate mail. I recognise that I was not speaking for everybody in Central, but speaking for everyone on any subject is an impossibility because people’s opinions are poles apart. I have to trust myself that I am doing the right thing for the district as a whole and take the consequences as they come.
Q What have you most enjoyed about the job?
The variety. Every hour of every day is different to the one before.
Q How do you think the resignation of the current council chief executive, and the appointment of a new one, will impact your job?Leanne [Mash] and I very quickly developed a close working relationship and I am sorry to see her leaving the role. Hiring a new CEO gives a clean sheet to develop a new relationship that will be different to the current one, but I hope in many ways the same.
Q What projects do you hope to have completed by the end of your first term?
A strong emphasis of my campaign was to make the mayor more visible and engaged throughout the district and I am happy with what I have achieved in that regard. I love getting out and about throughout this great place. Infrastructure projects loom large in Central presently and to see the Cromwell waste water project, the Lake Dunstan water supply project and the Omakau water supply upgrade completed by the end of what will hopefully only be my first term will be satisfying. I hope to also see tangible results achieved through my efforts to engage with representatives of Chinese Government and business by then.
Q Are there any particularly memorable moments from your time in the position so far?
Being told a friend’s mother was thrilled that ‘‘Tim Kardashian’’ had become mayor springs to mind.
Q What are you most proud of?
The close working relationship that has been developed between me as a new mayor and the mostly established council I inherited.
The way in which I was accepted into the role by the councillors speaks volumes of them and, in particular, I note the invaluable role that my deputy mayor, Neil Gillespie, has played in assisting that to happen.
Q What have you found most difficult in the job?
Finding work-life balance. This job is all-consuming and takes me away from home a lot of evenings and at weekends. I sometimes feel that my wife, Linda, and I are ships in the night but I’m getting some balance back because frankly, I would be lost without her.
Q What do you think is the most urgent issue facing the region?
Water. Getting the balance right between the needs of the environment and the needs of the economy, especially in relation to the Manuherikia River minimum flow and the transition from deemed permits to resource consents.
Q What have you most enjoyed about the job?
The genuine ability to make a difference to the district and people’s lives. The reality of this was evident in the response of a local mother to the new $2 bus service. She told me her family will save $70 per week, making a significant difference to their lives.
Q What projects do you hope to have completed by the end of your first term?
Agreement by central government to some form of visitor levy or contribution to the QLDC from tourism receipts. The impossibility of a small community meeting the infrastructure required by tourism needs to be recognised at a national level.
The recommendations of the Mayoral Task Force on Affordable Housing becoming a reality with the first house stock then available, and making home-ownership achievable for those in our community who thought it was beyond their means.
A new privately-funded hospital initiated in Queenstown. It’s unlikely at this stage that a solution will be delivered by Southern District Health Board.
Work commencing as outlined in the Queenstown downtown masterplan, including the associated arterial roads.
Real progress on a district-wide, long-term planning strategy which will move us towards strengthening the entire district, and leveraging the role of Queenstown and Wanaka as significant economic and lifestyle centres on the New Zealand stage.
Likewise, progress on planning a bespoke public transport system involving alternatives to road travel.
Q Are there any particularly memorable moments so far?
My favourite part of the job is participating in the citizenship ceremonies. These are a wonderful event where we welcome new citizens into our district and ask that they integrate their culture with ours to the enrichment of all in the community. I never cease to get a kick from it.Q What are you most proud of?The very positive and collegial nature of the council I am privileged to lead. Councillors are single-minded in their endeavour to simply do better for the district. I’m very privileged to lead such a council.
Q What have you found the most difficult?
Understanding the needs of all in the community, but at the same time realising that for the greater good of the wider district, not all desires, no matter how worthwhile they may be, can be accommodated.
Q What do you think is the most urgent issue facing the district?
The cost of housing for the hardworking families and individuals who make up most of the population of our district. If we don’t find a solution to this problem, our entire community is at risk.
Q Can you see the day, perhaps in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time, when the council instructs the airport to put a cap on passenger numbers to prevent tourism overwhelming the district’s infrastructure?
No. The solution is to ensure we develop infrastructure ahead of these projected increases to enable us to continue enjoying the lifestyle in the district we live here for. This needs to acknowledge the needs of both residents and visitors to give both the best possible outcomes.
Q What do you say to Queenstown commuters who argue they are being unfairly punished, through higher parking charges, for congestion caused by tourism growth?
I don’t think the congestion is solely caused by tourism growth — it’s also caused by the large growth in the number of people living here. Our economy benefits from the growth and our options are increasing because of the growth. As galling as it may feel today for some, try to think of $2 bus fares as an option worth trying. Choose to bus and no parking charges, productive time while you travel and reduced car and petrol cost. Choose to bring the car? It will cost more. The new council parking charges are fair and reasonable by any external standard — our existing charges are very low, having remained unchanged since 2010. The intention is to encourage people to use public transport. One thing I know is if parking was free or cheap, we would not get enough cars off the road, and that’s something we can’t sustain. I stand by this.
Q Do you believe the National Government’s promise of direct investment in infrastructure projects — in lieu of a visitor levy — is credible, or are we being fobbed off?
Council is working very closely with central government towards infrastructure funding in lieu of a visitor levy. That engagement is beyond a political input, and we are now dealing with various government departments in this regard. While I still believe the introduction of a visitor levy of some description is the ultimate answer, I’m very pleased that government is supporting us in this manner.
