Nikki Macfarlane - Queenstown's accidental activist.

A Crux Podcast.

Crux Managing Editor Peter Newport spends time with Nikki Macfarlane, who organised the recent Shotover sewage protest and founded Queenstown Lakes Community Action.

Nikki’s worked and lived in many locations all around the world but has returned to New Zealand, and to Queenstown four years ago, for a quieter life with her husband and to study for a PhD.

She’s a highly regarded trainer and global advocate for women’s rights in childbirth but has discovered that those skills translate very well to figuring out how the Southern Lakes works - and what could be done better.

Queenstown Lakes Community Action founder - Nikki Macfarlane

Her new role as a community activist was not part of the plan for a quieter life, but she’s very good at it. People from all sides of the political spectrum like and trust her - with good reason.

Take a listen (the podcast is at this link) - you’ll be hearing a lot more from Nikki as we get closer to this year’s local body elections (she’s not a candidate).

There a shorter free version for unpaid subscribers.

A small sample of Nikki’s views:

“The lack of council communication, I find quite extraordinary.

“I don't understand if there's nothing wrong going on then why not just tell people what is happening? You just end up with the public not trusting you. And it's really hard to rebuild trust.

“Is there someone or some people that are doing something completely wrong or illegal? And if they're not, then why not just tell us? It just doesn't make any sense.”

If you want to contact or join Queenstown Lakes Community Action, their Facebook page is here.