QLDC awards CEO with 8% salary boost, while rates rocket

QLDC awards CEO with 8% salary boost, while rates rocket
Mike Theelen, in the job until 2025. (Image: QLDC)
Brent Melville
Councillors this week signed off an increase to Queenstown-Lakes chief executive Mike Theelen’s baseline salary to $415,321, an 8% hike on last year's pay, but up almost a fifth on 2021's $347,166.Theelen, a former chief planning officer at the Christchurch City Council, was appointed to the top non-elected job at the Queenstown-Lakes District Council (QLDC) in February 2016 under then-mayor Vanessa van Uden. He is contracted into the role until February 2026.Theelen has overseen an increase in staffing levels from 383 to 663. Tha...

More Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope
Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s (NZIER) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a continued deterioration in business confidence in the second quarter.A net 35% of firms expected a deterioration in the general economic outlook over the coming months on a seaso...

Staff reporters 02 Jul 2024
Independent costings needed for tough political decisions
Economy

Independent costings needed for tough political decisions

The time is now for an Independent Fiscal Institution.

Cameron Bagrie 01 Jul 2024
Brave-faced craft chocolate industry finds strength in unity
Retail

Brave-faced craft chocolate industry finds strength in unity

More than 30 boutique chocolate companies raised the bar at Chocstock.

Gregor Thompson 01 Jul 2024