Candidate Statement: Samuel Belk

Statement received from Samuel Belk:

For councillor, Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward, QLDC.

For more than 30 years, I’ve lived, worked, and raised my family here. I’ve seen the Lakes District grow from a small, tight-knit community into one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.

I know that growth brings opportunities—but it also brings pressures. I see stretched infrastructure, housing that’s out of reach for too many locals, and more recently, we’ve seen trust in council erode.

I didn’t intend to run for council. But after years of promises without progress, and decisions made without real consultation, I feel compelled to step up. This is my community, and I want to make sure it has a strong, capable voice at the council table.

I bring international experience in finance, governance at the highest levels, and hands-on knowledge from farming and working the land. I know how to balance ambition with affordability, and how to make complex projects stack up financially.

My priorities are clear. For years we’ve been told there’s just not enough in the rate-payer bucket to achieve the things our communities need to live comfortably and well in this region. I’m confident this can be changed – with the right long-term planning, we can be a community where growth, opportunity and cohesiveness is possible.

The issues I’m most passionate about are:

- Traffic relief: our roads and bridges were built for 6,000 people, not nearly 30,000. I will lobby hard for new bridges and upgraded roading so we can end daily gridlock.

- Water security: safe drinking water is non-negotiable. Decisions like creating a CCO without thorough consultation must be revisited. Ratepayers deserve transparency and accountability.

- Healthy rivers: dumping 12 million litres of treated sewage daily into the Kawarau is indefensible. We need long-term solutions that restore our waterways to pristine, swimmable, fishable condition.

- Affordable housing: locals and essential workers should be able to live here. That means building “up, not out” and prioritizing first-home buyers, teachers, nurses, police, and firefighters.

- Above all, I believe in transparency and good governance. Councils work best when they listen, collaborate, and put ratepayers at the heart of every decision.

If elected, I will ensure you will be heard—and I will work tirelessly to turn your concerns into real results.