Deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens will step down from his role at the end of this term. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
Nelson's deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens is stepping down at the next election, but says he hasn't ruled out a return to politics in the future.
O'Neill-Stevens was the city's youngest councillor when he was first elected in 2019 at the age of 19 and was appointed deputy mayor in 2022.
Now 24, he said the decision not to stand for council again came after careful consideration of whether he was in the most effective position he could be to drive change.
"It hasn't been an easy call, but I think it's the right one both to make space for new voices and new leadership to step up into this privileged role, but also to look at new challenges and other ways that I can support and serve our community and our city.
Rohan O'Neill-Stevens has not rolled out a future in politics. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
"I made a commitment to myself when I was first elected that every single day I would ask myself whether this was the most effective position for me to be in to drive change and I think increasingly as the government has sought to undermine local democracy, but also as new progressive voices have joined me around the table, that solidified this feeling that there are other spaces in which I'll be able to contribute more to the future of our city."
He hasn't ruled out a return to local politics in the future and said central government was "not off the cards" but he wanted explore other roles in the community and finish the economics degree at Massey University that he had been "slowly chipping away at".
Nelson will remain his home base, but he hoped to spend more time in other communities around Aotearoa.
"It's something I've gotten to do a bit of in this role and something that I've really enjoyed because the challenges that we face here are by no means unique."
He said the decision came after reflection on his last six years around the council table.
A fresh-faced Rohan O'Neill-Stevens when he first stood for council in 2019. Photo: Supplied
He said Nelsonian's had supported a baby-faced 18-year-old and since then, there had been fundamental changes both across local government and around the world which he felt lucky to have been a part of.
O'Neill-Stevens said he was proud to have worked on the overhaul of Nelson's public transport system, the investment in transforming Bridge Street, the reduction of speed limits in the city centre and the scrapping of library fines, alongside record investment in arts and culture.
He said there remained "structural challenges across local government".
"I'd love to see a more open and honest conversation, both about what it costs to run a city and a community, and the infrastructure that keeps it thriving, but also in how we grow and develop into the future.
"These are conversations that have been started, but there is still a lot more water to go under that bridge."
Deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens with mayor Nick Smith during the council debate over whether to retain a Māori ward in September 2024. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
"I'm grateful for the immense amount of support I've received over the past six years, there's definitely a twinge of sadness in stepping away from work that I truly adore, but excitement for all that can come next."
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said on social media that O'Neill-Stevens had been a key part in helping to build a more collaborative council, and had made big contributions in arts development and city revitalisation.
"I am going to miss his warm, personable style; his knowledge of standing orders; his passion for our city and his wise counsel."
Smith said Rohan had built a good understanding of public policy and governance and his decision to further pursue academic study and other experiences would make him even more capable.
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