Ms Van Uden said Mr Hayes was a "worthy candidate".
"It's good. Now the voters have a choice. When I worked at council, Simon was a councillor. He's a good community person," she said.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Hayes said he would be standing to deliver better value for rates and charges.
"I hope to do this with the support of the councillors for the residents, ratepayers and visitors by scrutinising spending and focusing on core services... I find annual rates increase in excess of [inflation] unpalatable and unacceptable," he said.
He was also critical of Auckland International Airport buying a 24.99% share in Queenstown Airport for $27.7 million.
"[The sale] is clearly a topical, controversial and potentially divisive issue for our district. Without the benefit of detailed knowledge of the agreement, I have great difficulty with the process and with the result.
"Most of the councillors were simply ambushed," he said.
"I find the signing of confidentiality agreements by our elected members the most unsatisfactory issue of all. It appears designed to favour Auckland International Airport and its shareholders over and above the interests of this community," he said.
Mr Hayes, a real estate agent, was a councillor for two terms, from 1995 to 2001. In 1998, he was made deputy mayor to Mayor Warren Cooper on the toss of a coin after councillors were deadlocked six-all between Mr Hayes and rival Cr Jerry Hohneck.
He stood unsuccessfully for the mayoralty in 2001 against eventual winner Clive Geddes and Cr Hohneck.
Mr Hayes, who will also stand as a councillor, has lived in Queenstown with his wife Ngaire for 25 years.
• In the Central Otago district, current board members Michael Summers and Cliff Parker have been nominated for seats on the Maniototo and Roxburgh Community Boards, respectively.
Sitting councillor Duncan Butcher has been nominated for the Otago Regional Council Dunstan Constituency.
• One new nomination has been received by the Waitaki District Council. Alistair Mavor is seeking re-election to the council for the Corriedale ward.
• The latest nominations received by the Clutha District Council are: Kaylene Holland for the Balclutha ward; Malcolm McElrea for the Clutha Licensing Trust; Bruce Vollweiler, Bruce ward; Kevin Thompson, Catlins ward.
