2010 Queenstown Mayoral race

If Simon Hayes wins the three-way battle for the Queenstown Lakes district mayoralty next month, he won't be hosting any celebration parties in the Wakatipu.

More than 60 Arrowtown residents quizzed their local government elections candidates on the controversial Queenstown Airport shares deal, high rates increases, councillors versus council staff issues, heritage values, taxing visitors and the tension between growth and amenity last night.

Mayoral elections in Otago's "heartland" this year have attracted 14 candidates. The Otago Daily Times continues its series profiling the candidates, with Queenstown reporter Tracey Roxburgh putting questions to Vanessa van Uden.

Queenstown's three mayoral candidates are unimpressed with the council's projected debt level of more than $400 million in the next nine years and say a harder line needs to be taken on spending.

More than 100 people attended last night's Queenstown Lakes District Council mayoral and council election debate in the Queenstown Memorial Hall.

The three mayoral candidates for the Queenstown Lakes District Council were in a collegial and relaxed mood at yesterday's public forum jointly hosted by the Wanaka Chamber of Commerce and the Otago Daily Times.

Voters are being urged to attend a public meeting in Queenstown this week, to hear from candidates in what is seen as one of the most important elections in many years.

Queenstown Lakes District voters have a choice of three mayoral candidates this year.