Al Angus Targets Queenstown Mayoralty Again, Calls for Change

Al Angus is making his fifth bid for the mayoralty of Queenstown Lakes, declaring himself a “repeat offender” in the political arena. The retiree, known for his outspoken views, has ramped up his campaign by directly criticizing local government leadership, including council CEO Mike Theelen, whom he believes is a key obstacle to addressing the district’s financial woes.

Angus asserts that the council has been mismanaged for nearly a decade, resulting in a staggering debt of approximately $700 million. He claims that around $500 million of that debt has accumulated in the last nine years alone, predicting that if the current leadership remains in place, the debt could reach $1 billion in the next three years. “There’s no financial oversight for a start,” he emphasizes, pointing to the council’s lack of accountability.

His platform, focused on “ratepayer power,” aims to elevate community voices in decision-making processes. “It’s about giving them some voice at the table that’s listened to and acted on,” he states. Angus criticizes the council’s handling of significant issues such as the Lakeview development and the Shotover sewage plant, which has involved the discharge of treated sewage into the Shotover River.

During a recent mayoral candidates’ meeting, Angus challenged his fellow candidates to drink water sourced from near the Kawarau confluence, a challenge that went unanswered. He has also been vocal about his discontent with the local Chamber of Commerce, having previously walked out of a mayoral candidates’ forum after feeling ambushed by one of the hosts. This year, he boycotted the event altogether, demanding an apology for the prior incident.

Angus’s decision not to run for a council seat stems from his dissatisfaction with past mayors. “I haven’t seen a mayor I would take orders from,” he remarked, expressing his belief that the current council lacks the competence to address pressing local issues.

Local Roots and Community Engagement

Though originally from Methven, Angus has deep ties to the Queenstown region. He began his working life on a dairy farm in Lower Shotover and has also worked as a mechanic in Christchurch and Twizel. He and his family have been part of the Kingston community since the early 1980s and later settled in Kinloch, where he continues to engage in local issues.

Despite being retired, Angus remains active, including efforts to protect local waterways from what he describes as “vandalism” by Ngai Tahu. He also enjoys playing guitar in his spare time.

As the election approaches, Angus’s campaign is characterized by a commitment to transparency and accountability, aiming to reshape the governance of Queenstown Lakes to better serve its residents. His candidacy underscores the ongoing debate about local leadership and community involvement in the region’s future.