Thursday 11 August 2016
Media Release from Roger Tompkins

100% Pure Creator Runs for Queenstown District Mayor

Visionary filmmaker and co-creator of the 100% Pure New Zealand brand, Roger Tompkins is launching a new campaign; to become the mayor of the Queenstown Lakes District in October 2016.

The world-renowned 100% Pure New Zealand campaign has played a huge part in attracting record numbers of visitors to New Zealand and the Queenstown region.

Over two million visitors descended on Queenstown last year, a number which Mr Tompkins believes is unsustainable under the current council model.

“We’ve become victims of our own success, it’s nuts. We should be the winners of our success,” said Mr Tompkins.

“We’re busting at the seams, in some places it’s faster to walk to work than to drive and nobody can afford to live in the town they grew up in.

“This isn’t about stopping progress, it’s about development without detriment, it’s about finding a balance and bringing us ‘back to beautiful’.”

Mr Tompkins fell in love with the region after first visiting in 1968. He’s now been a local ratepayer for over 32 years and together with wife Nicky, he’s raised two children and witnessed Queenstown’s rapid growth. He believes he has immediate, short-term answers to the region’s problems, that will provide a stepping-stone to a sustainable, long-term plan.

“We’ve got to stay ahead of the curve, on a sensible and sustainable path to posterity. We need to sort out seasonal workers’ accommodation right away, so that rents across the rest of town lower and families can move back in.” Mr Tomkins said.

His proposals include implementing a plan where tourists pay their fair share, arranging a lasting transport solution and sustainable worker accommodation.

Mr Tompkins said that he’s looking to bring a fresh approach to the role of mayor, focussing on listening to public feedback and bridging the gap between the establishment and rate-payers.

He’s directed some of the biggest brands and names in the world from Apple and Land Rover, Richie McCaw and Sam Neil to brands bandied about in Glenorchy and Hawea pubs like Speight’s, Marmite and Vogel’s.

After defining what’s truly kiwi, he’s now looking to redefine the role of mayor.

“We start with a balanced budget. In the commercial world, we have this thing called accountability. I’ve made thousands of commercials and if I couldn’t complete a project on time and within budget, I wouldn’t have made it past my first job.”

I love working with a large team. I’m a problem solver, I relish the challenge of leading the council and inspiring them to share a vision and work together to bring the district back to beautiful.” Mr Tompkins said.

ENDS

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