Kircher resigns from company working on zipline

Gary Kircher.
Gary Kircher.
A potential conflict of interest has forced Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher to step down from a company that is working to get the Cape Wanbrow zipline through the consent stage.

In 2015 the Otago Daily Times reported Mr Kircher wanted to see Cape Wanbrow become a ''first-class recreational reserve'' and a zipline attraction would be a good tourism opportunity.

In October he said the zipline, carrying users over the old quarry site and on to the Oamaru Breakwater, could be a reality for the town by 2017, but the project has missed that deadline.

In December, he said the Waitaki District Council had not formally agreed to the zipline, ''but they are certainly showing good support for the concepts''.

Mr Kircher said he was part of a group that created Oamaru Adventure Park Ltd to get the next stage of the zipline completed.

''This stage involves getting any consents, leases etc that are required to build the attraction.

''It became evident last week that to advocate for the project in the way that I need to from this point on would have been compromised by my involvement at that level.''

He said last night he made the decision to resign as a director of the company on Thursday and in future would transfer his shares.

The New Zealand Companies Office Register (NZCOR) listed Mr Kircher and his wife Kerry as holding 20% of the company shares.

''The shares have no value, nil, zilch, $0, as no money has been invested yet, and it hasn't done anything yet.''

He said his shares would be moved to another ''community-minded'' investor.

''I firmly believe this project is going to be a fantastic one for the district and will broaden the appeal of Waitaki to more visitors, plus adding a pretty amazing activity for locals as well.

''In addition, the project is expected to see the creation of eight to 10 jobs for the area. It is still my hope that all this will happen.''

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