Q You have been on the council eight years, but have not previously stood for mayor. Why now?
A The timing is right. I have the corporate and district-wide knowledge and experience, and I have earned the respect and support of many of my colleagues. I have the leadership skills to be a successful mayor.
Q What issue or issues got you involved in local politics?
A The Wanaka 2020 strategic planning process, in 2002.
Q What previous life experience has been of benefit to you in dealing with council issues?
A The training I received as an officer in the navy for problem-solving, communications, strategic planning, decision-making and accountability, combined with the experience I accumulated running businesses, dealing with staff, bureaucracy, and community interaction has all been of significant benefit.
Q What is the most important attribute of a mayor?
A There are many, such as integrity, the ability to listen and communicate, to make decisions, but the single most important attribute is leadership.
Q Mayor Vanessa van Uden's approach has been to appoint the highest-polling Wanaka candidate as deputy mayor (except after the last election). How would you allocate the deputy mayor's role?
A To the councillor I considered to be the most suitable for the role.
Q You are standing for the mayoralty but not for the council. Would that mean Wanaka could have a mayor plus three other councillors?
A Yes.
Q How would you promote unity across the Lakes District?
A By ensuring that all communities are recognised, acknowledged and respected for the contribution they make to our great district and are treated equitably. A mayor living in Wanaka might also reduce the them-and-us perception.
Q How important is experience and institutional knowledge in your book?
A Essential. A mayor without district-wide experience and corporate knowledge would be without credibility.
Q Does the high turnover of the council's executive staff concern you? If not, why not?
A There are numerous and varied reasons for the displacement of staff. It's very important to understand the reasons and work with the chief executive to reduce the impact staff turnover might have.
Q You are president of the Wanaka Rodeo. Why, and is that a good look for voters unenthusiastic about such events?
A I am president of the club because I volunteered. I am involved in the rodeo club because I grew up with horses and get satisfaction organising successful events. I am proud of the club's effort to create an excellent venue and a popular annual event and, judging by the large crowds we draw to our annual rodeo, one could suggest those unenthusiastic about the Wanaka Rodeo might be a minority.
Q Your Final point would be?
A With all the rapid development currently under way and projected, we need to consolidate our infrastructural position. In some areas we are in catch-up mode, such as the transport system, but we are addressing that and it is a priority for me.
We have a variety of communities of interest from the Queenstown CBD to Makarora within our district, and that is good. It is important to recognise the contribution the smaller communities make to the success of our district and this must be factored into our economic model.
I don't have any concern about living in Wanaka and being mayor. I know I can fairly represent all communities and will do so.
Lyal Cocks
Age: 59.
Married to: Diana.
Children: Vanessa, a mother and sales co-ordinator in Auckland, and Micaela, a professional basketball player for the Townsville Fire in Australia, and a Tall Ferns Olympian.
Grandchildren: Jack (6) and Carter (2).
Route to Wanaka: I grew up in Omarama but left there for a career in the Royal NZ Navy. In 1994 we bought some land in Wanaka after considering Omarama and Queenstown. Good choice. It got harder and harder to leave Wanaka and go back to work, so I left the Navy in 1998 and we moved permanently to Wanaka.
Community involvement: As well as current president of the Wanaka Rodeo Club, I am also a qualified driving instructor, and have been for about 30 years; a trustee of the Dunedin RSA Welfare Trust; deputy chairman of the New Zealand Community Board executive committee; a co-ordinator of community services for the New Zealand Corrections Department; a qualified Resource Management Act hearings commissioner; and a commissioner on the District Licensing Committee.
Preferred flag: The White Ensign.
