The CEO of the Queenstown Lakes District Council Mike Theelen has just been awarded a 15.5% pay rise to $479,486, which Peter says has produced considerable community backlash given the current rate rises of up to 24%.
He also explains why tension between Cromwell and Alexandra have ramped up, and why concern about the Dunedin Hospital crisis has prompted a large protest in Wānaka.
Peter Newport is the Managing Editor, Crux, based in Arrowtown.