Meet your Mayor and Councilors

Lydia Gliddon is Mayor of Selwyn District and lives locally with strong ties to the community through her background in business and agriculture. Having previously served as a Selwyn District Councillor, she brings a clear understanding of council governance, decision-making, and the impact those decisions have on residents, communities, and local businesses.

As Mayor, Lydia provides leadership across council, working to ensure strong governance, clear direction, and accountability. She is a strong advocate for Selwyn at both a regional and national level, ensuring the district’s interests are well represented as growth, infrastructure, and reform continue to shape the future.

Lydia is focused on responsible, well-sequenced growth, ensuring growth pays for growth, maintaining financially sustainable rates, and strengthening community involvement in decision-making. Practical, grounded and results focused, she works to ensure council delivers on its commitments and that Selwyn remains a district where communities feel heard, supported, and confident in their council.

Councillor MacLeod lives in the Selwyn District and brings a strong record of professional service, advocacy, and community commitment. A former lawyer with courtroom experience, she specialised in construction, contract, and employment law, and has worked with national, regional, and local sports organisations, clubs, and not for profits. She has also taught law and ethics at Unitec and as a guest at Post Graduate level at Lincoln University

Councillor John Verry lives Darfield and previously served as Deputy Chair of the Malvern Community Board. He holds master’s degrees in education and law and in 2025 graduated with the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management [Distinction]. John has experience leading in-house District Council legal teams, giving him hands on knowledge of how council decisions are made and how they affect ratepayers and a background in empowering others.

John stands for independent, community first leadership built on transparency and accountability. He advocates for the community to improve council efficiency, having developers pay their fair share, and keeping rates affordable whilst enabling Council to deliver the essentials. A strong supporter for local representation, he works to achieve better engagement with rural towns and communities, so everyone is treated equitably.

Practical, approachable and results focused, John listens to residents, raises community concerns at council, and advocates for the people of Tāwera Malvern, making decisions in the interests of the wider Selwyn District first.

Councillor McInnes has served as a councillor for the Kā Mānia Rolleston Ward since 2019 and is an active, accessible presence in the community. She is regularly engaged through the residents’ association, at local events, online, and in day to day community life. Sophie and her family live, work, learn, play, and volunteer in Waikirikiri Selwyn, and she is known for being approachable, realistic, and respectful when discussing community concerns.

Her previous experience on Council is underpinned by a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from Lincoln University and membership of the Institute of Directors equipping her to navigate complex decisions around growth, environmental protection, and community resilience. Looking ahead to 2025–2028, Sophie continues to advocate for affordable, well planned investment and ensuring Selwyn responds effectively to government reforms, delivering strong outcomes for current and future generations.

Councillor Big Red lives in the Kā Mānia Rolleston Ward and has been part of the Selwyn community since 2001. He is the owner of a local business employing more than 50 people, all from the area, and brings a strong understanding of what it takes to create jobs and keep a business viable. Before entering business ownership in 2010, Big Red served eight years in the New Zealand Army, including deployments to Afghanistan and East Timor, experience that shaped his sense of discipline, teamwork, and service. Deeply connected to Selwyn, he is passionate about giving back to the community he calls home.

Big Red understands the importance of strong communities and has actively supported many local events and fundraising initiatives over the years. He is often found behind the barbecue at rugby games, school fetes, charity events, and community fundraisers. Outside work and community commitments, Big Red enjoys gardening, keeping chickens, fishing, and staying engaged with the issues that matter to everyday people bringing a straight talking, no nonsense perspective to local government.

Councillor Mundt lives in the Te Waihora Ellesmere Ward and has served as Councillor for Ellesmere since 2021. Throughout her term, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for affordability, democracy, and ensuring ratepayers’ voices are heard when Council makes decisions. Her role has been shaped by a strong commitment to representing her community with integrity and independence.

Elizabeth’s role on Council is defined by a commitment to due diligence, value for money, and ethical governance. She places a strong emphasis on responsible financial management, fair representation for rural communities, and limiting unnecessary spending to reduce the burden of intergenerational debt. She has a passion for preserving a towns heritage building and encouraging local spend. She brings steady, community first leadership to the Council table and remains focused on delivering practical outcomes that respect both ratepayers and the long term wellbeing of Selwyn.

Councillor Carrick lives in the Kā Puna Springs Ward and is a strong advocate for community voice, transparency, and accountable local government. She is known for her commitment to genuine consultation and believes decision making works best when communities are informed, heard, and respected. Denise brings a clear focus on fairness and stewardship, shaped by her involvement as a previous Lincoln Voice spokesperson and her work with the Selwyn Community Patrol, where community safety, connection, and trust are central.

Denise’s approach to Council is grounded in careful financial governance, responsible growth, and long term thinking. She is focused on managing growth in a way that protects ratepayers, supports small businesses, and ensures infrastructure and development costs are carried by growth itself. Passionate about safe drinking water, safe roads, strong local services, and empowered communities, Denise also brings a strong commitment to protecting Selwyn’s natural environment and highly productive farmland. With academic qualifications including a BA (Hons) and Postgraduate Diploma, Denise advocates for thoughtful, balanced decision making that supports education, community wellbeing, and a sustainable future for Selwyn, a place she is determined to protect for every generation.

Councillor McGlinchy lives in the Kā Puna Springs Ward and has deep, long standing roots in Selwyn. Selwyn has been his home for 30 years, with family connections stretching back 75 years, from his grandfather farming in Broadfield to his father being part of Lincoln High School’s first intake. His own family life is closely tied to the district: his wife teaches preschool locally, he has worked at a Lincoln research centre, his children attended Springston Primary and Lincoln High School, and he has given his time coaching Selwyn Football. This strong personal connection shapes his commitment to serving the community that has shaped his family across generations.

Aaron brings strong financial and analytical capability to local governance, including experience managing a $100 million budget and formal training in governance and finance. He is a solutions focused, independent thinker who believes Council must be more accountable, ask tougher questions, and make fully informed decisions. His approach centres on listening to the community, budgeting accurately, spending efficiently, and prioritising essential services to ensure affordability and long term sustainability. Now in a position to give back, he is committed to serving Selwyn residents with fairness, responsibility, and a clear focus on sustainable, affordable outcomes for the future.