Vision Otago is a group of experienced leaders and governors who believe that local government – and especially the Otago Regional Council (ORC) - has lost its way.

That it has become too remote from our communities and concerns.

And become far too expensive.

As a consequence, Vision Otago is standing a team of five candidates across the region, with clearly defined policies and the will to implement them. We are seeking a mandate from the ratepayers and residents of Otago to –

· Reduce regional rates (not hold them, reduce them)

· Improve our waterways and lakes

· Implement an effective pest eradication plan

· Offer better public transport alternatives

· Restore local democracy and community input

We are standing as a co-ordinated team because we know that individual, elected councillors are generally ineffective. That they are often elected through name recognition but with no clear, defined policies. Consequently, council staff become the default policy-makers for most councils.

The five candidates who make up the Vision Otago team are proven, effective and experienced governors. They have created the policies and the plans that will make a difference.

In the Dunedin ward, former MP, councillor, lawyer and businesswoman Hilary Calvert is our Vision candidate.

In the Molyneux ward, former regional councillor Carmen Hope i- a mum and celebrant with a farming background - is Vision’s candidate.

And in the Dunstan Ward, where much of the ORC’s work is done and from where most of the region’s general rates are collected, Vision Otago has the outstanding team of Wanaka businesswoman Nicky Rhodes, current councillor and farmer/engineer Gary Kelliher, and award-winning media personality Michael Laws.

Today, Vision Otago have launched both a website – www.visionotago.nz – offering detailed policy positions, and a Facebook page – Vision Otago 2025 – that will offer updated policy positions, outline public meetings in the region, and allow people to ask questions on issues of relevance and concern.

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