New mayor Tamah Alley chosen by councillors

Central Otago has a new mayor, and it is Vincent Ward councillor and community board chair Tamah Alley.

Mayor Alley is taking over from three-term mayor Tim Cadogan, who vacated the role this weekend in favour of a new job with national water regulator Taumata Arowai in Wellington.

The former police constable, mother of three, and Alexandra local was appointed mayor by fellow district councillors at a full meeting of the council in Alexandra this morning.

The mayoral chains were placed on her by Linda Cadogan, the wife of the former mayor, who was absent from the meeting having already shifted to to the capital city.

Speaking after the presentation, Mayor Alley began with a mihi, before she thanked the councillors for "trusting" her "to take the hot seat".

"It is a very special thing to be chosen by your fellow workers for this role. Our team has been the best part of my last five years with council, and I love having a committed, diverse bunch of buddies, and I'm thankful for the way you approach this role, to collaborate for the best outcomes possible for our communities.

"We have our work cut out for us. This is a really tough time to be in local government, but that's also because it's a tough time to be in business in schools, in a job and in a family. We need to be passionate about making democracy work, and will carry on around this table despite the unusual circumstances of me sitting at this end.

"The challenges we face in the next 12 months are substantial. It will be a constant juggle to pay for the services we must provide alongside the aspects that make it so enjoyable to live here. We do need to do the basics brilliantly, but we also need to provide the amenities that our people ask for. This will be an integral part of the long term plan discussion that we have with our communities next year.

"On a personal note, I would like to thank Matt and the kids for supporting me. It's going to be another juggle, but lucky we're not afraid of over time. I'm incredibly excited to be stepping up to this challenge."

Mayor Alley thanked Mr Cadogan for the job he had done as mayor.

"While some of you have seen mayors come and go over the years, for many of us, Tim is all we've known in the seat, so I want to acknowledge his guidance, patience, collaboration and lack of a giant ego that could get in the way of good work.

"His leadership over Covid was outstanding, as was his willingness to put all self respect aside and wear a giant poop costume. His wisdom and his humour will be missed around this table."

The appointment was made after no debate, and the decision to run with Ms Alley, a second-term councillor, was an unanimous one.

Deputy mayor Neil Gillespie, who chaired today's meeting prior to the new appointment, had earlier indicated his day job with Contact Energy at the Clyde Dam limited his availability to step up to the mayoral role.

New Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley reads her mayoral oath under the watch of deputy mayor Neil Gillespie at today's council meeting.

Today, he nominated Ms Alley for the job, calling her "capable".

The nomination was seconded by Vincent Ward councillor Tracy Paterson.

There were no other nominations or any discussion prior to the vote.

Three members of the public stood in council chambers holding handmade 'sham' signs, which they had also plastered to their bodies.

They told Crux they are of the view the decision was predetermined and the lack of any discussion, proof of this.

Three Alexandra residents protest the quick decision on a replacement mayor at today's council meeting, Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

The councillors have opted to leave one seat around the district's decision making table empty.

Although there is the option under the Local Government Act for someone to be nominated to fill now-Mayor Alley's vacated councillor seat, the councillors have chosen not to do so.

The council will continue with just 10 councillors until the October 2025 local government elections.

Mayor Alley is 39 and will be the district's first female mayor.

Annual renumeration for the Central Otago District mayor is set at $125,312.

Main image: Vincent Ward councillor and community board chair Tamah Alley is the Central Otago District's new mayor, as chosen at a meeting of the council on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.