Queenstown-Lakes District Council (abbr. QLDC) is the territorial authority for the Queenstown-Lakes District of New Zealand. It serves as the district's local government alongside the Otago Regional Council as the regional council. It was initially constituted in October 1986; in November 1989 it was reconstituted anew alongside all local authorities in New Zealand as part of major reforms to local government. Prior to the district council, local government in the area was split between three authorities.
The governing body of the council has 11 councillors and is chaired by the mayor of Queenstown-Lakes (currently John Glover since October 2025).
History The council was formed in 1989, replacing a council of the same name established in 1986.Department of Survey and Land Information cadastral map NZMS 261 sheet E43, 1986 edition This council was established through the merger of Queenstown Borough District (established in 1866),Fraser, B (editor), The New Zealand Book of Events. Reed Methuen, Auckland, 1986. Lake County Council (established in 1876), and Arrowtown Borough Council (established on 10 May 1877)[New Zealand Gazette] #60, page 717
In 2020, the council had 442 staff, including 103 earning more than $100,000. According to the Taxpayers' Union lobby group, residential rates averaged $2,744.
Governing body
Mayor
One mayor is elected at-large; they chair meetings of the governing body and act as the head of local government in the district.
Current composition The current members of the governing body of council are: +RoleNameAffiliationWardMayorJohn GloverIndependentElected at-largeDeputyQuentin SmithIndependentWānaka-Upper CluthaCouncillorBarry BruceIndependentWānaka-Upper CluthaCouncillorLyal CocksIndependentWānaka-Upper CluthaCouncillorCody TuckerIndependentWānaka-Upper CluthaCouncillorNiki GladdingIndependentQueenstown-WhakatipuCouncillorEsther WhiteheadIndependentQueenstown-WhakatipuCouncillorMatt WongIndependentQueenstown-WhakatipuCouncillorGavin BartlettIndependentQueenstown-WhakatipuCouncillorCraig FergusonIndependentArrowtown-KawarauCouncillorLisa GuyIndependentArrowtown-KawarauCouncillorMelissa WhiteIndependentArrowtown-Kawarau
Community boards
Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board: Simon Telfer (Chair), Chris Hadfield, John Wellington, Linda Joll, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Cocks, Councillor Tucker
Civic symbols Seal and coat of arms The council has a seal which features a coat of arms.
References