Two councillors to seek reelection; mayor quiet so far

TWO Queenstown Lakes councillors have confirmed they will seek reelection, but the district’s mayor is staying mum.

Both Queenstown ward councillor John MacDonald and Wanaka ward councillor Quentin Smith will be on the ballot again this year.

However, there will be at least one new face around the council table, as Wanaka ward councillor Ross McRobie announced this week he was moving to Otematata and would stand for the Waitaki District Council instead.

As for the mayoralty, it is still anyone’s guess as to whether firstterm mayor Jim Boult will take another tilt at the top job.

Nominations for local government elections open on July 19, and election day is pegged for October 12.

Mr Boult was staying tightlipped about his council future when contacted this week, saying he had ‘‘nothing to say at this time’’.

He won the mayoralty in a landslide victory in 2016, with 6050 votes. His closest challenger was Lyal Cocks, with 2644 votes.

Mr Boult may face scrutiny this year, as legal action over his directorship of Stonewood Homes is still under way. He denies all allegations.

The next step in the case is a teleconference next Thursday.

Meanwhile, Cr Scott Stevens is not sure if he will have a ward to stand for.

The decision on whether to retain the Arrowtown ward, albeit a slightly larger one, rests with the Local Government Commissioner, due to the size of the ward being noncompliant with Local Electoral Act rules for fair representation.

Mr Stevens said that decision was due in April, which was when he would make his own decision about running again.

Crs Alexa Forbes, Craig Ferguson, and Tony Hill said they were yet to make up their minds, while Crs Penny Clark and Val Miller and deputy mayor Calum MacLeod did not respond to requests for comment.