Many mayors in the Otago-Southland region have made decisions about their future in office as next year’s local body elections approach.
Out of the eight current mayors, three have decided to step down, three plan to seek re-election, and two are still considering their options.
Jules Radich has announced his intention to run for another term in Dunedin, while Bryan Cadogan in Clutha district and Tim Cadogan in Central Otago are stepping down due to health reasons.
In Invercargill, Mayor Nobby Clark has also decided not to seek re-election, citing the demanding nature of the job as a major factor in his decision.
‘Job very demanding time-wise’
Invercargill
BY LUISA GIRAO
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has started a countdown to the end of his term, with just one year left in office.
He has stated that he will not be running for re-election, as the job is extremely demanding and time-consuming.
Clark mentioned that he initially took on the role to address unresolved issues within the council but has decided to step down to spend more time with his retired partner.
Despite his impending departure, Clark is focused on completing ongoing projects and ensuring financial sustainability for the council.
While he will not be running for mayor again, Clark believes that some of his fellow councillors may put themselves forward for the position.
Deputy mayor Tom Campbell and Councillors Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger are rumored to be among the potential candidates for the upcoming election.
During the last local body election, there were 10 candidates in the running.
Councillors to decide who’ll fill
mayoral spot until election
Alexandra
BY JULIE ASHER
Central Otago will have a new mayor at the end of this month, but the public will not have a say in the selection process.
Incumbent Tim Cadogan’s resignation has triggered the need for a new mayor, with councillors expected to choose an interim mayor until the next local body elections.
While no councillors have publicly declared their intentions to run for mayor, the decision will be made at the next council meeting on October 30.
Several councillors and community board members have been approached about their interest in the mayoral position, but no firm candidates have emerged.
Central Otago finds itself in a unique situation as it prepares for a leadership change, with various council members considering their options for the future.
After the selection of an interim mayor, discussions about potential candidates for the upcoming election are expected to gain momentum.
Despite the uncertainty, the council remains focused on addressing key issues and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership.
As the community prepares for the upcoming election, the selection of a new mayor will be a significant decision for Central Otago.
“We are one of the five that get the invite, we will definitely give our best effort and hope to negotiate with the government later next year,” he stated.
Mr. Lewers mentioned that after finalizing the $2.4 billion long-term plan for capital investment until 2034, he and the councillors were taking a break. He emphasized the hard work that went into creating the capital program over 15 months.
He also mentioned plans for engagement in the Upper Clutha-Wanaka ward regarding the community’s desires for the airport and pushing forward with the Wanaka Community Board’s recommendation to develop the Ballantyne Rd sports field proposal.
Despite facing challenges such as the change in government, bad weather events, and the outbreak of cryptosporidium in Queenstown last year, Mr. Lewers praised the councillors for their hard work over the past year.
Having definitely been put through the ringer, Mayor Bell reflected on his time at Gore District Council, noting that the council had undergone significant changes since his arrival. He expressed pride in the advocacy efforts of the council for the Gore district, highlighting the impact of their voice on a national level.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mayor Bell found the learning curve to be one of the toughest aspects of his role. His election victory over former mayor Tracy Hicks by a narrow margin was met with controversy, but he remained focused on serving the community.
While some struggled to accept his leadership, Mayor Bell found solace in engaging with the community, especially through interactions with residents and visits to local schools. These experiences were what motivated him to continue his work as mayor.
