GLYN LEWERS FOR QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT MAYOR 2025

My Vision
Bold leadership for a thriving future

My vision for the Queenstown Lakes District is a thriving, connected community where opportunity and wellbeing are within reach for everyone. I believe we can build a district where families stay close: because education, employment, and healthcare are accessible locally.

Where young people have pathways to study and work without having to leave the region, where residents can access the healthcare they need without travelling or relocating. A place where the cost of living is manageable, and the benefits of tourism are shared fairly. Where the environment is protected for future generations, and decisions are guided by genuine engagement with Kāi Tahu.

We’re close to making this a reality —the groundwork is laid, and now we need to keep working. I also know there’s room to improve. Transparency and engagement are priorities, and your feedback is helping me do better.

The Big Issues:

Regional Deals

Queenstown Lakes is one of only three districts in New Zealand actively negotiating a Regional Deal with central government. This initiative aims to unlock long-term investment in housing, transport, health services, energy resilience, and economic diversification. I have worked hard on these deals with a vision to create a more resilient local economy and improve quality of life for all residents. You can read more about Regional Deals here.

Infrastructure

Over the past three years, major infrastructure projects have been delivered, including the Queenstown arterial road bypass. A $77 million wastewater disposal solution is being rolled out over five years at the Shotover Treatment Plant. While there has been a lot of coverage of this issue, I am proud that independent testing and an Environment Court hearing confirmed QLDC is implementing the best possible solution for treated wastewater.

Tourism and Diversification 

Tourism should be something we all benefit from. I believe a visitor levy is how we achieve this. In the 2018 referendum, we saw 82% public support for the levy, and I will continue to work on making this happen. I support the work that many groups in our region are doing to diversify our economy through tech, education and film. A great example of this is the establishment of Technology Queenstown and the opportunity for the University of Otago to establish a campus in our district, working with Palo Alto Networks to deliver programmes related to cybersecurity.

Environment & Social

The environment was a key part of my campaign in 2022, and my commitment to this area has not changed. During my time at council, we electrified council’s vehicle fleet and launched Project Tohu at Coronet Peak. Partnering with Kāi Tahu and Te Tapu o Tāne, the project will see over half a million native trees planted, making it the largest native planting initiative in the Southern Hemisphere. QLDC has also been working on transitioning pool heating in Queenstown and Wānaka from gas to electric. By transitioning our largest operational emissions source, QLDC will reduce its carbon output as well as medium to long-term costs, making this a significant project for council.

Housing

Despite perceptions of a supply crisis, QLDC has produced more houses per capita than any other region in New Zealand over the past decade. This is a complex issue that must also consider the prevalence of second homes in our district. I have collaborated with Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) to deliver affordable housing projects within Longview in Lake Hāwea and Tewa Banks in Arrowtown, and have given housing high priority in our Regional Deals. We are partnering with developers to increase density where appropriate and ways to finance infrastructure without burdening existing ratepayers. 

Trust in Council

This is an area that I am working hard to improve. In my time as Mayor, I have made council workshops open to the public, council meetings are livestreamed, committee meetings are recorded and published online, and related documents are accessible via the QLDC website. Council workshops are now recorded and can be viewed online.