Darren Rewi enters QLDC mayoral race
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This is a statement released by Darren Rewi. July 9 2025.
"When you make a choice, you change the future so said Deepak Chopra. It’s about Leadership, Governance and Engagement that’s the decision we need as a community need to make when we vote.
Kia ora my name is Darren Rewi, and I am excited about standing for Mayor. In the 32 years my family and I have lived here, we have developed a love for this area. The district has nurtured and supported us and in return I have always given time and service back to the community and been an advocate and voice for many groups and communities.
From the scouts to junior and senior football, from Health to supporting schools and from my iwi roles to the nine years as a volunteer fire fighter, the families and the people have all made it worthwhile. Enabling and empowering all communities from Makarora to Tahuna Glenorchy is a passion. I am immensely proud of the support of the wider district including Central Otago and Southland community that myself, my family and the maori community provided during the 2020 Covid emergency. From that came what we now know as Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust of which I have been the Chair since the trust was founded in 2020 and recently celebrated five years of supporting many communities which included leading the ongoing restoration of Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes which has been a whole community effort. I am also a trustee of the Sky City Queenstown Community Foundation.
I bring over 20 years of Senior Level Leadership and Governance experience on local regional and national boards including as Chair and as a ministerial appointee. I have a qualifications and experience in Strategic and Change Management. I am local business owner. I am currently the Vice Chair of the National board of Victim Support experiencing significant change in how it operates. I am a ministerial appointee on the board of Herenga a Nuku the Outdoor Access Commission and mandated Ngai Tahu ki Murihiku rep on the ORC Upper Lakes Freshwater Catchment Working Group. Just some of the governance and leadership roles I have. Recently I was the vice Chair of the recent Arts Culture and Heritage Strategy Committee and was the Mayoral Appointee as Chair of the Welcoming Communities Steering Group.
I will work to create a safe space for councillors to come together and understand each other’s values and goals. This safe space will allow us to come together to make effective decisions on behalf of their communities and all stakeholders. Knowledge of governance and ensuring process is followed, will provide an environment that will enable transparent decision making. Along with the wider QLDC community we the elected councillors need to come together to articulate a strategic vision for the next 30 years, not the next election cycle. The elected council needs to enable and empower Team Lakes District to benefit from the opportunities that will come from the recently signed Regional Deal.
Lead through accountability. That’s through the Mayor and the CEO developing an open and transparent working relationship, key to that is a no surprises policy for the mayor and the elected council. So much time is wasted having to manage emergencies, so the community through the council need to be clear about boundaries and expectations. There has been a lack of accountability recently which has led to a removal of community support. The councillors and the staff need to focus on reducing costs that have ballooned beyond our need.
There is no point creating reviews and investigations, it’s obvious that there has been poor decision making and now its for the new council and Mayor to create an expectation of accountability and that’s a conversation with the CEO. We need to look forward and get moving, lets revisit issues like single designated authority and what contractors are and are not adding value. If they are not, then they are gone. We need with urgency to reduce and remove our reliance on contractors.
The recently signed Regional Deal comes with opportunities but also significant Central Government expectations. One of the signals from the government is enabling growth through productivity. With a population rate of growth of 4.6% the Queenstown Wanaka Cromwell triangle projected to be the biggest population centre for Otago but despite all the positives for region, our productivity rate is 10% lower than the rest of New Zealand. When we work with developers and Private investors, once due diligence is done and we agree to move forward, can we enable their projects, we need to unlock the bureaucracy for us to achieve. That’s where leadership is key. The QLDC voters need to consider Leadership, Governance and Engagement when they choose their mayor and councillors.
Part of enabling the community is to utilise Iwi and Maori business and the capability they have. Both locally regionally and nationwide the power of the Maori economy can be used to empower and enable the community. The recent investment of Totara Energy to acquire 30% of Pioneer Energy is a great example of bringing the capability of 9 iwi to the table for the benefit of NZ inc.
The electorate is exhausted from issue after issue being exposed and an Executive Leadership Team and council that has yet to see that they are on a burning platform. Anyone with experience in Change management will know awareness and desire are key to effective change. Creating awareness of the issue or problem statement creates transparency and allows for open discussion and feedback, which often leads to a shared desire to reach an outcome or solution. Removing barriers created to control the elected councillors decision-making process is key to open transparent governance.
Ko wai au?
Who am I. I am Darren Rewi 62 years of age originally from Invercargill. Previously married to Debbie who together we raised six children. As a family we illustrate the value that raising a family in the district can offer.
Grant eldest is a Senior Legal for the Ministry of Customs.
Newton is a teacher based in Anchorage Alaska and works across the districts High Schools working with Neuro diverse students and their families.
Vivian after working for Auckland City Council and privately has recently gone out on her own under the name Rewi – Schaaf Legal
Michael is CEO of Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust and sits on many governance boards.
Pene is the Regional Manager for One Staff
Thomas is the Golf Team Leader for Virtual Eye an Ian Taylor company bringing data graphics to Sports broadcasting.
My business is called Take Tuia and is a Cultural Support company.
I am Ngai Tahu (Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha) on my mother’s side and Ngati Kahungungu ki Te Wairoa (Rongowhakaata and Ngati Porou) on my father’s side."
Nga mihi mahana
Darren Rewi
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