After a slow start, two nominations had been received by Friday for the Central Otago District Council vacancy. The council has been one member down since October’s election when Dave McKenzie stepped down days after being elected in the Vincent ward, blaming an online campaign against him. Closest-polling candidate at the election Louise van der Voort and business owner Nat Jamieson have both been nominated to fill the Vincent ward seat. Mr McKenzie was the target of an online campaign alleging financial impropriety in 2018 while he was working as a contractor to the council. After initially saying he would not resign, Mr McKenzie did so on October 14, saying online attacks had become "too higher [sic] price to pay".

Source: Otago Daily Times December 21, 2025 15:50 UTC