Central Otago District Council is the territorial authority for the Central Otago District of New Zealand.
The council is led by the mayor of Central Otago, who is currently . There are also 10 ward councillors.
Composition
Councillors + Central Otago District Council, 2025–2028 Position Name Ward AffiliationMayorTamah AlleyAt-largeIndependentDeputy mayorTracy PatersonVincentIndependent Councillor Sarah BrowneCromwellIndependentCouncillorAndrew DowlingVincentIndependentCouncillor Stu DuncanManiototoIndependentCouncillor Cheryl LawsCromwellIndependent Councillor Nathan McLeanVincentIndependentCouncillor Martin McPhersonVincentIndependentCouncillor Curtis PannettTeviot ValleyIndependentCouncillor Charlie SandersCromwellIndependentCouncillor Bob ScottCromwellIndependent
Councillor-elect Dave McKenzie, who had been elected to the council for the Vincent ward in the 2025 elections, resigned shortly after the election following accusations of financial misconduct. McKenzie's resignation triggered a by-election held from 30 January to 3 March 2026, with the seat being won by veterinarian Andrew Dowling.
Community boards
Cromwell Community Board Maniototo Community Board Teviot Valley Community Board Vincent Community Board
History The council was established in 1989, through the merger of Cromwell Borough Council (established in 1866),Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966: Cromwell Alexandra Borough Council (established in 1867),Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966: Alexandra Naseby Borough Council (established in 1872),Fraser, B (editor), The New Zealand Book of Events. Reed Methuen, Auckland, 1986. Maniototo County Council (established in 1876), and Vincent County Council (established in 1876).
In 2020, the council had 154 staff, including 17 earning more than $100,000. According to the Taxpayers' Union lobby group, residential rates averaged $2,156.
Elections List
2026 by-election +2026 Central Otago District Council by-election – Vincent wardAffiliationCandidateVote%+/− IndependentAndrew Dowling1,22640.42(new) IndependentLouise van der Voort90329.77 IndependentNat Jamieson89329.44(new) Informal60.20 Blank50.16 Turnout3,033(36.44) Registered ~8,323 Independent gain from Independent
References
External links Official website