Vote Says Mayor

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes wants voters to “have a say” by casting a vote in the local body elections.

“Councils have a greater role in the lives of ratepayers than central government,” Mr Geddes said.

The decisions made by councils were made at the local level.

“There is absolutely no point in being dissatisfied with the composition of a council and its performance if you have chosen not to vote,” he said.

Being a Mayor, councillor or community board member was a difficult and demanding job and those who had put their names forward for election deserved to be seriously considered by the whole community.

“The electoral process should not be treated like a lottery because it is about selecting people who will represent and govern the affairs of the district for the next three years,” Mr Geddes said.

He urged voters to carefully consider the candidates. “Read the statements, make your own mind up, then exercise your vote,” he said.

It was important for those who were elected to know that the people they represented had taken a real interest in their election and had given them the mandate they deserved.

“Postal voting has made voting ‘at home’, an easy way to participate and have a say, there’s no excuse,” Mr Geddes said.

The council relied on a robust and well supported electoral process.

“It is in your interest, the interest of the district and the interests of the council of the future,”
he said.