Environmental issues top priority for candidate who says it’s ‘not about me’

The Otago Daily Times continues its series of profiles of mayoral candidates. Fifteen people say they should be the next mayor of the various district and city councils in the wider OtagoSouthland region. Starting with the candidates for the Central Otago district, our regional reporters ask candidates who they are, what they stand for and how they would handle the big issues facing their district. Grouped by council, the Q&As with mayoral candidates will run over the next five days. Today, Pam

Jones puts the questions to the two Central Otago mayoral candidates.

Central Otago mayoral candidate Victoria Bonham grew up in Dunedin, moved to Central Otago as a child and is passionate about the district’s people and environment. A firstterm Central Otago district councillor, she says her decision to stand for mayor is ‘‘not about me’’, but about being

a voice for a community she cares deeply about.

‘‘It’s about treating everyone equally, it’s about having the difficult conversations that need to be had and hearing the voices that aren’t being heard.’’ Why do you want to be mayor?

To create an election so our community has a choice and can exercise their democratic right.

I am also deeply concerned about environmental issues and feel we are not taking seriously the damage being done. I want to make sure we protect our environment and ecosystem at all cost and take full responsibility for the legacy we leave our children.

How would you describe your Central Otago District Council track record over the past three years?

I bring sensitive environmental and animal welfare issues to the table. I make sure there is fair representation for everyone in our community.

What other interests and achievements do you have, and what drives you personally?

I enjoy philosophy and spirituality and have studied many religions and beliefs.

I’m a country girl at heart, have worked with animals all my life. An animal rights campaigner, I also do a lot of rescue and charity work.

I am absolutely opposed to the use of cruel 1080 poison and similar poisons used for animal control and am sickened by the antianimal propaganda in New Zealand. I am also deeply opposed to 5G and believe we are unaware of the dangers it poses to our communities and environment. We are losing our democratic and civil rights, manipulated by misleading information, agendas and propaganda.

An apprentice jockey in the early ’80s when women had just started race riding professionally, I learnt to work hard, take the knocks and get back on the horse.

I’ve been in business for over 30 years, I like to think outside the square for new, innovative ideas.

What do you believe is the single biggest issue facing Central Otago, and what would you do to solve it?

Environmental issues. Everything depends on the health of our environment — health and wellbeing, resources, recreation, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, tourism, industries and business, our way of life.

Stop poison use, introduce steam spraying, weed matting. End 1080, bring back the rabbit board, utilise meat and pelts, increase flow in struggling rivers, restore the ecology.

Stop effluent and phosphate runoff, support biodiversity.

What else does Central Otago need from its mayor and council over the next three years?

Reduce the divide between the rich and poor, difficult times are upon us as we become more affected by globalism and international issues. We must be prepared. Encourage semidetached housing and tiny home communities, community gardens, localism. Scholarships for local youth to fill skill and knowledge gaps. Less penalties for late payment of fees. Offer vacant council buildings to new businesses and community groups for peppercorn rentals for a year. Encourage more tourist dollars, save and protect our local identity and events. Extend our farmers markets. Public transport from Queenstown. Electric tram service from Clyde to Alex

[and] Cromwell.