The now Wānaka-based district councillor only realised she would have to spend a lot of time in Dunedin, where the regional council is based, after chatting with outgoing Queenstown-based regional councillor Alexa Forbes.
In May, Ms Gladding announced she would not seek re-election for the QLDC, citing feelings of burnout, a breakdown in her relationship with council staff and concerns about serving alongside current mayor Glyn Lewers if he is re-elected in October.
Ironically, Ms Gladding would have likely secured re-election had she stood in the Queenstown-Wakatipu ward, where she is well known. However, in the Wānaka ward — where she has a lower profile — she faces tougher odds. She will need to unseat one of four incumbents, all of whom are standing again, along with one new challenger so far.
Nominations close at noon today.
