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I would appreciate your vote in the Dunstan ward for the 2025 Otago Regional Council elections. ​

Matt Hollyer for ORC

Why

Why I am standing for ORC

The contribution I want to make to the Otago Regional Council is based on the belief that what’s good for people, business, and the environment don’t have to be in conflict.

 

Otago is blessed with stunning landscapes, rare wildlife, as well as talented people wanting to ensure that the wonders of our region are sustained for generations to come. The ORC’s own scientific monitoring shows that the natural world elements of these blessings are in decline and I want to contribute to correcting this.

 

Working in conservation for the past five years, one thing has become clear to me: the long-term wellbeing of our people and economy is dependent on the health of our natural environment.

What I can contribute as a Councillor

I know there is plenty to learn so to best serve the Dunstan ward. I recognise a councillor needs to listen carefully, think thoroughly and clearly determine how best to enable actions that will do good.

 

Having managed businesses, connected with many people in the community and gained governance skills I believe I have a set of skills than can make a positive impact on the Regional Council.

 

With my practical know-how, a proven collaborative approach and being a leader who focuses on the future I can provide relevant and effective decision-making.

 

Should I be elected as one of four Dunstan Ward representatives on the Otago Regional Council I will bring a proven track record of strategic thinking and operational effectiveness.

 

I will work with diligence, integrity, and long-term thinking to build a thriving Otago – economically, socially and environmentally.

About me

I’ve lived in Queenstown with my wife since 1997 where we have raised our now adult children. We are a busy family with deep community ties. I have spent many years as a volunteer: cricket coach/manager, cricket club committee member, ice hockey club helper. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with others to get good things done. This led to me forming the Whakatipu Sports and Recreation Hub Incorporated Society.

 

For fun I enjoy getting in to the mountain air to walk, ski, mountain bike (while keeping wheels on the ground) plus play a (low level) of social ice hockey and social cricket.

Experience

Experience

My Queenstown career began as a ski instructor and hotel porter in the mid-1990s. Since then, I’ve gained a range of experience, including:​

  • Sales for Tourism Holdings Limited

  • Branch Manager for Johnston’s Coachlines

  • General Manager of Shotover Canyon Swing

  • Chair of Destination Queenstown board (part-time, volunteer role)

  • Masters of Entrepreneurship (Otago)

  • Project and Innovation Manager for AJ Hackett Bungy

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I am well accustomed to keeping on top of many issues at once.

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Working at AJ Hackett Bungy when COVID hit, I pivoted from tourism to conservation through the Jobs for Nature program. This resulted in connecting with, and supporting an extensive, grassroots network, of environmental groups and the local businesses backing them.

 

Since 2021, I have played an integral role in the establishment, and then delivery of operations of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary, a large-scale community-led conservation project that spans the whole Wānaka and Wakatipu catchment areas. The Southern Lakes Sanctuary employs 18 people and works with a vast network of volunteers. It does predator control (stoats, rats, possums, feral cats), native species monitoring (birds, lizards, bats, weta) and has strong focus on innovative technology developments to try and achieve landscape scale.

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