The 2022 Queenstown-Lakes District Council election took place between 16 September and 8 October 2022 via postal vote as part of nation-wide local elections.
Electoral System Alongside the mayor, there are eleven councillors elected across three wards. The three wards are Queenstown-Whakatipu (four councillors), Wānaka-Upper Clutha (four councillors), and Arrowtown-Kawarau (three councillors). The ward arrangements are new following a representation review in 2021.
This replaced the previous structure of three wards: Queenstown-Wakatipu (six councillors), Arrowtown (one councillor), and Wānaka (three councillors). Wānaka-Upper Clutha retains the same boundaries as the former Wānaka ward, but was renamed and gained an additional councillor. Queenstown-Whakatipu largely covers the same area as Queenstown-Wakatipu, although it transferred its eastern area (including the settlements of Gibbston, Arthurs Point, Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate) to the newly created Arrowtown-Kawarau.
All officials were elected through a first-past-the-post system via postal voting.
Mayoral Election
The incumbent Mayor, Jim Boult, decided not to stand after serving two terms. Glyn Lewers, a sitting councillor was elected mayor. Results
Council
Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward The Queenstown-Whakatipu ward returned four councillors to the district council. Councillors Valerie Miller and Penny Clark who represented the former Queenstown-Wakatipu ward decided not to stand for re-election.
Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward The Arrowtown-Kawarau ward returned three councillors to the district council.
Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward The Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward returned four councillors to the district council. Incumbent councillors Calum MacLeod and Niamh Shaw decided not to stand for re-election.
Other local elections Depending on where in Queenstown-Lakes they lived, voters also voted in concurrent local elections for the: Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board
References