The decision of Deputy Mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens not to stand for re-election in the upcoming October local elections is a loss for the Council and the city. He has been an outstanding Deputy Mayor and, previously, an effective Councillor.
Rohan has helped enormously over the past three years to build a more collaborative Council. He has positively contributed to our plans for revitalising the central city, strengthening our arts sector and upgrading core infrastructure. He has helped Council build better relationships with iwi and youth. He has been a powerful national voice in LGNZ for the benefits of young people in local government.
Rohan was educated at Nelson College and, at 17, won a scholarship at UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany. He was elected to Nelson City Council at aged 19. He is a Green Party member, convened the party’s 2023 election campaign and was previously the Co-convener of the party’s youth wing.
Some people were surprised at my choice three years ago in appointing him as Nelson’s Deputy Mayor. We came from very different political roots – mine blue and his green. I longed to work with others from different perspectives after 30 years of working in the partisan parliamentary system. I founded National’s Blue Greens in 1998 in a belief that good economics and environmental stewardship go together. He had contested the mayoralty against me and others in 2022 and I found a lot of common ground when I listened during the campaign to his aspirations for Nelson. I also think the combination of older experience and youthful idealism has been good for Nelson.
I remain optimistic that Rohan has much to contribute to Nelson and New Zealand. He has quickly grasped an extraordinary understanding of public policy and governance over his six years on Council. His warm, personable style makes him a joy to work with. To maximise his potential, he is wise to further his academic qualifications and wider experience. He has served Nelson well, but the city can also be proud in helping develop the leadership talent our city and country will need for the future.
