How an early QLDC leadership change could transform the 2025 local elections
Will they go, stay - or get pushed?
Analysis
The three people in our feature image above are the architects of all aspects of culture, communications and change (or lack of it) at the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
If all or some of them resigned before the October local body elections it could change everything.
A new mayor, and a new set of councillors, could then get on with fixing the basics (budget, infrastructure and transparency) rather than entering a potentially protracted battle of wills, time and money engineering fundamental cultural and financial change.
For those who might not be clear on what role these three people play in driving the QLDC, here’s an outline (images left to right).
Meaghan Miller. A 23 year QLDC veteran (and former journalist) who carries the title of GM Corporate Services. In reality she is potentially the most powerful person at QLDC. She guides and advises virtually all council workshops and full council meetings. She has a hand in all governance, official information and communications functions - the key factors in how the council relates to the community and the elected members. In official information request emails we see her consulted and involved in virtually every decision and strategic direction. She likes to fly under the radar.
Mike Theelen. He’s become a controversial figure recently due to his 15% pay rise last year and his (mis)handling of the sewage crisis. Mr Theelen left the Christchurch City Council under something of a cloud after a judge questioned his abilities in the aftermath of the earthquakes. His power has increased every year and in many ways he seems to hold sway over the mayor of the day - rather than the other way around. He has been in the hot seat during our biggest local financial and public health meltdowns - the $128 million Road to Nowhere, $100 million on Lakeview, the $26 million Toxic House/Ladies Mile fiasco, the Cryptosporidium outbreak, the $24 million “jobs for mates” scandal, the sewage crisis ($250 million?) and the new $60 million council HQ - Project Manawa.
Glyn Lewers. Widely seen as a protege of former Mayor Jim Boult, Mr Lewers has always appeared uncomfortable in the mayoral seat. Rather than collaborate and work with his fellow elected councillors he’s usually chosen to take a passive aggressive stance - sometimes staying silent and not communicating at all and on other occasions appearing to bully and cajole councillors who don’t toe the party line. The party line often appears to be what he, Miller and Theelen have discussed behind closed doors.
The 2025 Local Body Elections.
If there is to be a change of QLDC control and culture to fall out of this year’s local elections than all three of these key council figures will either need to go or change.