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

Mike Theelen, in the job until 2025. (Image: QLDC)

Wed, 06 Sep 2023

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...

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