Despite persistent rumours, Queenstown barrister Jane Taylor denies she is standing for the Queenstown Lakes mayoralty and says she will not be seeking a seat on the Queenstown Lakes District Council either.
Ms Taylor said she had "no idea" why people would expect her to run for the top political role in town.
"I might have made some casual comment months ago along the lines of `if I was mayor, I would ...' but I have never even considered actually putting my hand up for that job," she said.
"It is a huge job to take on, and I have family commitments and work obligations to focus on."
Ms Taylor holds several director positions on boards of organisations, including the council-controlled Lakes Leisure, which manages the Alpine Aqualand and other community facilities in the district.
She was initially appointed as chairwoman for Lakes Leisure, but stepped back to a director's role in May last year.
She also works as an independent commissioner on resource consent hearings, a role she is not keen to give up.
"I enjoy that part of my professional life, and if I am on the council I cannot act as an independent commissioner," she said.
"I do not even like public speaking, except in my professional capacity in court, so I will definitely not stand for mayor," Ms Taylor said.
