Sitting in the Queenstown Memorial Centre last night was one person who, arguably, has a greater interest than many in the result of this year's local body election for the Queenstown Lakes district.
As John Mann alluded to a tactical take-over of Cromwell from the Central Otago District Council; Jim Boult issued reality checks and a desire to better engage with the Otago Regional Council; and Lyal Cocks referred - repeatedly - to the district plan as the mechanism to help with most of the issues the district faces, young Jack Kennedy listened.
He was one of about 400 people at the Meet the Wakatipu Candidates and Mayoral Debate, organised in conjunction with the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, supported by the Otago Daily Times.
While others may have left the hall with a clearer sense of which boxes to tick next month, it will be eight years before Jack's voice will be heard on election day.
Jack (10) was one of a handful of children who listened intently to those who will make decisions that will inevitably impact on their lives long-term.
For 90 minutes the mayoral candidates - Al Angus, Roger Tompkins, Mr Mann, Mr Boult and Mr Cocks - gave their wide-ranging views on the district, the issues it faces and how they propose to deal with them.
Up for discussion was affordable housing and accommodation for workers, how the Special Housing Areas (SHA) legislation could be better used; a need for a diversified economy and an economic development unit to support that; traffic; roading; general infrastructure; and how to protect the landscape.
On the latter, host Sean Plunket asked candidates if the ORC was doing a ''good job'' with the district's waterways and if they would support an amalgamation between the ORC and QLDC.
Mr Angus said he had ''some issues'' with the regional council, but Mr Boult described the present state of affairs as ''bullshit''.
The Friends of Lake Hayes group had ''begged'' the regional council to improve the lake's quality but
''their fix was to put up a sign saying 'A lake in transition'. ... they're not interested in us present.''
Mr Mann, meanwhile, hinted at amalgamation with the CODC, specifically Cromwell.
'' ... we should be looking a little bit bigger than just our boundaries at the moment [like] Cromwell [to] ensure we can maintain a transport link.
''Cromwell would, essentially, become our front door.''
After the debate young Jack Kennedy had decided who his non-existent vote was going to.
That man would ''make a difference to Queenstown - a good difference'', he declared.
Jack encouraged those who had a voice on election day to make informed decisions and use their vote.
''If you don't vote, Queenstown's going to fall apart.''
