Arrowtown-Kawarau ward: Who will best represent you?

What's their motivation for standing, how do they work with people they disagree with, what will be their super strength around the council table, and what do they think the Queenstown Lakes District Council can do better, especially when it comes to spending ratepayer's money?We've asked your would-be councillors, to help you choose who you think's the best fit for the job.

Danijel Duvnjak

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

I keep being asked how am I going to listen to the community, and the only answer I have is that I don't know. I would like to learn how to, and it is why I ask the person back, how would I be able to do that? What would you consider being heard?

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

Setting clear boundaries before we begin, especially around the roles and responsibilities to the land and all the inhabitants in the region. I like to lead by hearing the other party first, to have them feel expressed and heard. Then I look for shared points we can agree on, and we go from there.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

There are 3 key enterprises that I would love to present to the people of the district. They are presented as fresh opportunities for many of us to turn to one another and work and play together in a new way, this allows us to shift our focus on a new and novel endeavour free from the weight of the old ideas, so that we may reconnect, rebuild and strengthen the individual bonds that make a community a community, a group of people with a shared reason for uniting. Contrast Therapy Studio. Bike Library. Return to Sender (Editor's note: Keen to know more? Mr Duvnjak went well over the word count, so to keep it fair, his explanations of the three ideas have been cut. Contact him for more.)

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

Feedback from the community. Build many more channels of communication back to the QLDC from the community. Some will be using existing online platforms where people already spend their attention, some may be to invite the spokes people for the existing groups in the community, some may be social events held at our playgrounds where we go and meet the community where they are.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

Architect of Delight, Visionary, common unity conversationalist.

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

Yes. Transparency is the only ingredient that is required if we are sincere in our intents and efforts in building a thriving community. The only true value in life is trust, and with out transparency, trust is very fleeting, and with its presence we are able to build strong everlasting foundations.

Craig (Ferg) Ferguson

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

Every issue is important no matter how small or big.

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

I carry no grudges win or lose the vote you have to carry on that is the will of council.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

Let the people tell us.

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

Communicate and staff to be seen. Continue to advocate.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

It's a wiser person who is slow to talk but quick to listen.

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

All spending of council ratepayer money is important. Value for money which is not always easy.

Lisa Guy

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

I put people first; aiming for well-being in well places. Focused on community representation with integrity and good governance through challenging times. Climate crisis, massive local government change, local issues to find and to fix. I respond to local conditions with experience and commitment to improving community outcomes.

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

One person creates a work of art, good design takes teams. Diversity is strength. I’m a Human Resource Strategist working with people to improve performance. Every time task, situation, or team change = opportunity to work collaboratively to improve outcomes in authentic, no surprises environs. Tough on problems, not people.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

Create Well-Places: Support connection of communities to whatever is needed to be well. A concept from experience in India where the closest water well maybe 10 hours walk away. People gather in places that support better life design. Find tools for improving places we call home, safe, secure, fun.

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

Bringing the community along on the journey. Declutter process and communication so people understand council purpose, strategy, limitations, desired outcomes and results.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

I care about people and this place. 30 years local working with community providers and employers across sectors to build this place, culture positive with opportunities for all in our communities. I focus on wellbeing, grateful for support I’ve had here through my personal times of grief, I want to give that back.

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

Spending public money must deliver value. Councils’ role is to be efficient and effective - spending on the right thing, right time, right price. Procurement resourcing must include good fit to purpose. Strategic fit, role definition – job analysis, person specifications - skills, experience, role evaluations – remuneration, market pressures, deliverables, timelines.

Nell Hunter

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

I want council to focus on local solutions to local issues. We need bottom up people driven approaches that fit with values of innovation and hard work.

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

I am a business owner and a tradie (painter). Resolving conflicts and dealing with issues in a pragmatic way is part of the job.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

Give it back to the ratepayers.

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

Carparking. Council are very prompt when issuing parking tickets. I would love to see the same urgency applied to finding carparks.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

I am a tradie, a mother and a business owner. I'm in touch with the issues that face everyday families in this district.

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

The important thing here is value. Council should be very careful when spending our money. Every single dollar must be spent to enhance council services and make the district better for ratepayers.

Neeta Shetty

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

Community-based investment. My ethos is to have the community at the forefront. This will result in better infrastructure investments, managing growth, sustainable tourism. We must give our community a rapturous experience of belonging to this region. Economic diversity is a consequence of a vibrant, diverse and thriving community that has a functional infrastructure. We must incentivise our people to live in, work in, invest in and love our community.

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

I believe in being inclusive. I want to lead with a ‘we’ rather than a ‘me’. This means that my facts will come from the people in the know, our elected councillors, council experts and staff; but the community will be the driving force for shaping our region. I will have an open-door policy and my time will not be restricted to meetings for ministerial matters but will be equally available to meet members and businesses of our community. I do not underestimate the power of listening as a leader. I will be result driven, I want quantifiable, tangible outcomes to our actions that we can account for in our reporting to the community.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

I'd utilise this grant for awards, grants, funding and scholarships for the residents and our young people in the region; for education, sports, business, innovation, work experiences, cultural and social opportunities. This attracts and retains talent within our region.

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

Accountability and transparency: I want the QLDC to be our primary and most reliable source of information. Our community must unequivocally trust that the QLDC is acting in the best interest of the community. I am not in favour of closed-door or secret meetings as this is divisive and creates mistrust. I want the QLDC to engage with our community and the media, as a tool, to keep itself accountable.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

A Synergist. I will encourage strategic thinking, innovation and action. I have an ethical and community mindset. I will cultivate and elevate the people I work with by listening, including and engaging. My focus is to build a strong community for the entire Queenstown-Lakes region. I believe this can be done under an aspiring leadership.

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

Yes and this is not a good look for the QLDC. I have worked at QLDC and I understand the need to outsource within reason. However, this must be well managed and the QLDC must ensure the reasons for the outsourcing. Additionally, the QLDC must be able to justify if the services have been rendered as expected. It is disappointing to see how the QLDC has taken a defensive approach to questions being asked. This is public money and resources and the QLDC is required to justify its spending. Council's response or lack thereof has been abysmal and has resulted in an alienation between the community and the QLDC.

Melissa White

The one issue that really motivates me to stand for council is…

To represent the community that I belong to.

You’ll be one voice around the council table. Tell us something about how you manage working with people you disagree with, how you with deal with conflict, or how you work to get people on side.

I am good at listening and considering all sides of arguments, when conflict arises, I think it is important to work with all parties to find a mutually beneficial solution.

You’ve got a $5-million grant to use how you want for the district. What would you do with it and why?

I would split it 50/50 towards affordable housing and transport.

What’s one thing the QLDC could do a lot better, and how will you try and make it happen?

I believe that QLDC could have better accountability.

Engineer, RMA guru, nerd for numbers, sucker for details - What's a super strength you'll bring to the council table?

I make fabulous cake (just kidding, not about making fab cakes, just that is not the strength I am running on). I believe my down to earth approach to problem solving to find mutually beneficial solutions to problems is it!

Have you read Crux' series of stories on council procurement/"jobs for mates"? What's your take on what's important when spending ratepayer money?

Sorry I have not read the stories, so unable to comment on this.

Acting on some of the big issues - it's not always easy to agree on the best approach, so we asked each candidate where they sit on a sliding scale from zero to 10.