NZ Local Elections 2025

Otago Regional Council

Dunstan Constituency
The Otago Regional Council makes decisions about managing resources in the region, such as air, water, soil and the coastline. It also carries out plant and pest control, helps prepare for natural disasters, and is involved in regional transport. The council is made up of 12 councillors. Councillors are elected to represent constituencies (areas in the region). four councillors will be elected from the Dunstan  constituency. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Otago Regional Council election.

Candidates

Policies

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Ben Farrell

Ben Farrell

Nicky Rhodes

Nicky Rhodes

Vision Otago

Michael Laws

Michael Laws

Vision Otago

Gary Kelliher

Gary Kelliher

Vision Otago

Amie Pont

Amie Pont

Independent

Neil Gillespie

Neil Gillespie

Matt Hollyer

Matt Hollyer

Ben Farrell

Ben Farrell

Why I'm standing

Our environment underpins economic prosperity, and I'm committed to restoring our biodiversity and freshwater, improving transport, and tackling resource management and strategic planning issues at the council table. I champion strong local governance, property rights, and sustainable growth. I'll be a firm voice for the regional deal. I see my role as helping you and all of us shape a prosperous, resilient future for this region – for us and our children after us.

About me

I am well qualified to do so. Based in Queenstown with strong family ties to Otago and decades of experience in policy, planning and development, I bring expertise, leadership and governance qualities. I hold postgraduate degrees in management and environmental policy and planning from Lincoln University. I am a full member of the NZ Planning Institute, the current president of the NZ Resource Management Law Association, and an accredited RMA commissioner.

My priorities
  1. Support measures that protect and restore freshwater and indigenous biodiversity values.
  2. Support a regional deal for Otago Central Lakes.
  3. Promote sustainable growth.
Residence

Queenstown

Age

45

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Why I'm standing

Our environment underpins economic prosperity, and I'm committed to restoring our biodiversity and freshwater, improving transport, and tackling resource management and strategic planning issues at the council table. I champion strong local governance, property rights, and sustainable growth. I'll be a firm voice for the regional deal. I see my role as helping you and all of us shape a prosperous, resilient future for this region – for us and our children after us.

About me

I am well qualified to do so. Based in Queenstown with strong family ties to Otago and decades of experience in policy, planning and development, I bring expertise, leadership and governance qualities. I hold postgraduate degrees in management and environmental policy and planning from Lincoln University. I am a full member of the NZ Planning Institute, the current president of the NZ Resource Management Law Association, and an accredited RMA commissioner.

My priorities
  1. Support measures that protect and restore freshwater and indigenous biodiversity values.
  2. Support a regional deal for Otago Central Lakes.
  3. Promote sustainable growth.
Residence

Queenstown

Age

45

Connect via

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