Vanessa van Uden (43) is no stranger to local body politics in the Queenstown Lakes district, having served as a councillor for the past three years.
She says her opposition to some council decisions may not be popular, but says her ability to stick to what she believes is right is one of her greatest strengths.
A Southlander born and bred, Cr van Uden wanted her two daughters to be educated in the South and was "fortunate enough" to get a job at the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Twelve years later, she has decided to throw her hat in the ring for the district's mayoralty.
So Vanessa, why are you standing for mayor?
Because I felt that I had something to contribute that could improve things for us all. I've had four years working for council and I know it inside and out. I think the last three years as a councillor really firmed up my commitment to standing for the mayoralty in terms of making the changes necessary.
What sort of changes are you talking about?
Cut spending for a start. We've had nine years of think big, pay bigger, what's nice to have rather than necessary.
We need to cut the constant rates increases and the council needs to get hard with its spending - for example, trying to find alternate sources of income, bed taxes and departure taxes, getting more of a return from tourists that come here.
We could use the Think Tank initiative I've been talking about, that involves using local knowledge and expertise - looking differently at the way we actually come up with the plan, use the knowledge that we have, bringing people together to brainstorm.
A part of that is talking more with the Government and trying to get a greater contribution, but let's use the people here who are in business and know what's going on.
What do you think your strengths would be as mayor?
I have the strength and background to stick to my commitment, to stick to what I believe is right.
When something isn't the right answer, I will not support it and it doesn't matter if I'm the only one - like the rates increases and the long-term plan ... With the water operations contract I was able to say at the beginning it was not going to work ...
I've been able to highlight for other councillors and the community a lot of the financial information, the issues that weren't actually getting out there before and help them understand what it meant.
As a councillor, what have you done that should prompt people to vote for you again?
I have stood firm to my beliefs. My No 1 belief is we're put in there to make decisions and represent the community in the best possible way that we can.
It may not always be what the communities want today, but the decision should be what's best for the future of those communities. I've still been part of the team - we have all worked together.
If elected as mayor, what are your goals for the next three years?
No 1 is get the Think Tank happening. Get local experts in to brainstorm. A lot of those issues won't be solved overnight, but we need to kick it off really quickly.
No 2 is to review council spending, looking at the total overhead expenditure and we need to do that really quickly.
We'll have a whole lot of new councillors so we'll need to sit around the table and formulate where we, as a team, want to go for the next three years. I think that's very important.
There has been no agreed direction or vision for this current council ... That's led to the belief in the community that the tail is wagging the dog. We need to fix that.
Do you have a budget for your campaign funding?
Yes, $20,000 as defined in the election guidelines.
Is that self-funded?
No. A number of people are funding it. I've also had several people ringing me up saying "You can put signs in our front garden" or "Can we help delivering pamphlets". There's help and support coming from the community.
Are there any things you would change about the last three years as a councillor?
I'm happy with how I've achieved things. I can't think of anything in there I would have voted differently on.
You've only announced your candidacy for the QLDC mayoralty, not the council itself. Why did you do that?
I have been up front from the beginning about standing for the mayor's job. I haven't waited to see who else is standing, I put my name in the hat in May.
I have spent three years as a councillor and I know that the best way to get the job done is from the big chair. I can make a greater contribution to the future of this district as mayor than I can as a councillor.
If the vote doesn't go in your favour, do you think you'll regret that decision?
No ... I have many options and I will still be keeping an eye on what is happening.
Vanessa van Uden
• Age: 43.
• Occupation: Business consultant and QLDC councillor.
• Marital status: Married to Peter Laurenson, with two children, Caitlin (14) and Laura (15), pupils at Wakatipu High School.
• Council experience: Two years as contract manager, Manukau City Council; four years contracts manager, QLDC; three years QLDC councillor (2007-10).
• Described herself in three words: Qualified, experienced, relevant.
