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Council Committees and Community Board Structure

Kā Komiti

On this page you can find details of the decision making structures and groups that the elected Council works within, who is in each committee or on the Community Board, and what type of decisions they can make. 

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Independent Committee Appointments

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  • The Queenstown Lakes District Council has the important job of making decisions alongside and on behalf of the people living in this district. Specifically, we are responsible for:

    • Community well-being and development.

    • Environmental health and safety. (building control, civil defence, and environmental health)

    • Managing infrastructure. (roading and transport, sewerage, water and stormwater)

    • Facilitating recreation and culture.

    • Resource management including land use planning and development control.

    The Council consists of the Mayor, four Queenstown-Whakatipu ward Councillors, three Arrowtown-Kawarau ward Councillors, and four Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward Councillors.

  • The Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board is not a committee of Council but a separate unincorporated body established under Section 49 of the Local Government Act 2002. The role of the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board is to represent and act as an advocate for the Wānaka and wider Upper Clutha community. The Council has given extensive delegation to the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board to make decisions on many of the facilities and services located within the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward.

    • Community Board elected members are: Kathy Dedeo, Chris Hadfield, Simon Telfer, John Wellington
    • Community Board appointed members are: Niki Gladding, Nicola King, Cody Tucker
    • The Chair of the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board is: Simon Telfer
    • The Deputy Chair is: Kathy Dedo

  • Objectives of the Smart Growth Committee:

    To recommend strategies, plans and policies that advance the Council’s vision and goals for the district and ensure integrated and sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the district in accordance with the Resource Management Act 1991.

    To guide the resolution of appeals and mediations under the Resource Management Act 1991.

    To oversee Councils role in delivery of the Tourism Destination Management plan and the Economic Diversification plan.

    Committee Members are:

    • Councillor Cody Tucker (Chair)

    • Councillor Jon Mitchell (Deputy)

    • Councillors Heath Copland, Quentin Smith and Melissa White

  • Assets & Infrastructure Committee Objectives:

    To review strategy and policy for the Council’s assets and infrastructure.

    To exercise Council’s delegations in establishing traffic and parking requirements, restrictions and conditions, installing shelters on hardstands with connection into footpaths for the purposes of intending public transport and small passenger vehicle passengers including associated requisite parking changes across the district pursuant to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2018 made under the Land Transport Act 1998, the Local Government Act 2002, and the Local Government Act 1974 S339.

    In fulfilling their role on the Asset & Infrastructure Committee, members shall be impartial and independent at all times.

    Committee Members are:

    • Councillor Gavin Bartlett (Chair)

    • Councillor Cody Tucker (Deputy)

    • Councillors Samuel Belk, Stephen Brent, and Quentin Smith

  • Smart Finance Committee Objectives:

    • to monitor the Council’s current financial strategy, and financial performance against the Long Term Plan and Annual Plan; and

    • to determine financial matters within its delegations and Terms of Reference and make recommendations to Council on financial matters outside its authority.

    In fulfilling their role on the Smart Finance Committee, members shall be impartial and independent at all times.

    Committee members are:

    • Councillor Heath Copland (Chair)

    • Councillor Samuel Belk

    • Councillors Niki Gladding, Nicola King, and Matt Wong

    • One independent member to be appointed

  • Risk & Assurance Committee Objectives:

    To assist the Council to discharge its responsibilities for:

    • the robustness of the internal control framework and audit management practices;

    • the integrity and appropriateness of internal and external reporting and accountability arrangements, including financial;

    • the robustness of risk management systems, processes and practices 

    • compliance with applicable laws, and regulations;

    • standards and best practice guidelines; and

    • the establishment and maintenance of controls to safeguard the Council’s financial and non-financial assets, including insurance.

    Committee members are:

    • Councillor Niki Gladding (Chair)

    • Councillor Stephen Brent (Deputy)

    • Councillor Samuel Belk

    • Three independent members to be appointed

  • Community & Environment Committee Objectives:

    To review and provide oversight of strategies and policies that support the development of resilient, safe, and successful communities, including those developed and adopted by QLDC, as well as strategies and policies developed in partnership with others and endorsed by Council.

    In fulfilling their role on the Community & Environment Committee, members shall be impartial and independent at all times.

    Committee Members are:

    • Councillor Matt Wong (Chair)

    • Councillor Gavin Bartlett (Deputy)

    • Councillors Jon Mitchell, Cody Tucker, and Melissa White

  • Organisational Excellence Committee Objectives:

    The purpose of the Organisational Excellence Committee is to support the QLDC activities outlined in this TOR, at a governance level, to strive towards continuous improvement.

    The Committee supports the Council’s goal of operating as a transparent, trusted, and customer-focused organisation that engages effectively with its community and delivers services efficiently and responsibly.

    Committee members are:

    • Councillor Melissa White (Chair)

    • Councillor Nicola King (Deputy)

    • Councillors Niki Gladding, Jon Mitchell, and Matt Wong

  • The objectives of the Chief Executive Relationship & Recruitment Committee are to monitor, review and report back to Council on the Chief Executive's Performance Objectives and Performance Review. It is also responsible for the process of recruiting a Chief Executive. 

    The Committee is a "Committee of the Whole" which means all Councillors are members.

    The Mayor is the Chair. 

  • The objective of the Dog Control Committee is to hear and make decisions on enforcement matters relating to the Dog Control Act 1996.

    A panel of three members is convened to hear these matters and these members are chosen from the elected Council. 

  • The District Licensing Committee will consider and determine all applications (opposed and unopposed) for new and renewal licences and manager’s certificates, temporary authorities and special licences under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

    Committee Members are: 

    • Mr Lyal Cocks
    • Mr Ian Cooney
    • Mr Chris Cooney
    • Mr Neil Gillespie
    • Mr John Mann
    • Mr Brett Pay

Independent Committee Appointments

Recruitment is underway. Councillors will be asked to confirm appointments at its meeting on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Further information will be made available on our Council Meetings webpage.

Related Content

Council Meetings, Agendas and Minutes

See dates, times, and locations for upcoming Council meetings, along with all agendas, reports, minutes and recordings

Archive Agendas and Minutes

See all the archive (pre-June 2024) agendas for council, community board and committee meetings, as well as details of decisions and discussions and previous meetings.

Elected Members

Learn more about the different Councillors, Community Board members and the Office of the Mayor.