My name is Lee Vandervis, happily married to Antonie, and between us we have eight wonderful children.

I am offering a solution driven, straight answering and transparent Mayoralty. I am committed to debt and rates reduction, and to helping Dunedin realise its true potential.

In 1999 the average Council debt per Dunedin home was about $600. It has risen now to more than $6,000. The DCC cannot carry on raising debt and raising rates without compromising our lives and our children's. We need new direction. Using my business background and Council experience I have researched solutions to our unsustainable situation and I invite you to visit my website www.leevandervis.co.nz to view some of the options.

I make no apology for being passionate about Dunedin, nor for condemning bureaucratic rubberstamping by Mayor Chin's Council.

With your support I can steer Dunedin in a new viable and prosperous direction.

Top 5 Issues

1. ‘Buy Local’ campaign to boost local business and open tender processes.
2. Nationwide Stadium Lottery.
3. Slim DCC obese management.
4. Absorb Otago Regional Council.
5. Boost retail and return free parking.
   
   See my website at www.leevandervis.co.nz for more information on the above election issues.

Personal Profile

I am Lee Vandervis, 55-years-old, Otago born and bred of Dutch immigrant parents who worked together running a building contracting business.

My parents ensured that I learned to swing a hammer usefully and to play the violin, so the value of a wide-ranging practical education became obvious early.

Moved to Dunedin when I was 16, spent four years at Otago University doing sciences, music, and finally gaining a BA in Philosophy. Then went to the UK and specialised in electronics production, rising to Production Manager of Midas Audio Systems where we built audio mixing consoles for studios and bands like Pink Floyd, Supertramp, and Stevie Wonder.

Returned to Dunedin after five years OE in London with hi-end audio equipment to set up Vandervision Lighting Audio and Video which grew over the next 20 years into Dunedin's largest Lighting Hire business.

Sold the lighting business after being elected as a Councillor in 2004 and lost Council seat by four votes in 2007, despite being a clear second in the Mayoral race with 30% of Mayor Chin's vote.

I continue to run a much smaller Event Equipment business from home and enjoy developing our small farm, planting and producing cut macrocarpa timber, restoring machinery, reading, and music.

More detail and pictures at www.leevandervis.co.nz.