At 10.30am she sat at the table as councillor.
By 11am she was sitting as the district’s new, and first female mayor.
Tamah Alley has been selected by Central Otago councillors into the role vacated by Tim Cadogan who resigned last Saturday (26 October 2024).
At the Central Otago District Council meeting today (Wednesday 30 October 2024) the councillors were tasked with selecting a new mayor that would take them into the October 2025 Local Government election. Section 117 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 states that the role of Mayor cannot remain vacant and must be filled by a member of the local authority.
Mayor Tim’s resignation came within a year of a Local Government election therefore having to hold a by-election to elect a new mayor and the associated expense, was avoided.
Mayor Alley (39) was the only nominee, and was nominated by Deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie, the meeting chair up to that point, and seconded by Vincent Community Board member, Cr Tracy Paterson.
Mayor Alley affirmed her Oath of Office to take on the role.
In her first address to the Council, she paid tribute to former Mayor Tim and thanked the other councillors for their support.
Mayor Alley said she was “passionate about making democracy work” in challenging times and looking forward to her role while continuing to juggle home and family.
“Luckily we’re not afraid of a bit of overtime.”
CODC Chief Executive Peter Kelly stated that he and the entire council team were looking forward to supporting Mayor Alley in her leadership of Council and the community of Central Otago.
This left the Council with one less councillor: The number of councillors will mimic what had been decided by the recent representation review (10 councillors plus mayor), therefore the Council voted not to fill the vacancy.
