Barry BruceA recommendation by an independent advisory panel to disband the Wanaka Community Board has received a mixed reaction. The advisory group also recommended the Wanaka Community Board be disbanded. Wanaka Community Board chairman Barry Bruce disagreed, saying the Wanaka Community Board should not be disbanded as "it provided good easy access to elected representatives who can react to concerns and issues quickly". Queenstown Lakes district Wanaka ward councillor and former Wanaka Community Board member Quentin Smith said there was a perception disbanding the board would mean a loss of representation, "but I don’t think in practice that would be the case". "From my own perspective, having sat on both, I am far more effective as a councillor than on the community board, and much better informed to a degree."

Source: Otago Daily Times June 06, 2021 16:40 UTC