Protect Wanaka 
Committee Members
Below are details of the committee spearheading Wānaka Stakeholders Group. You can also find out about our Core Team here.
Chair: Meg Taylor
Meg Taylor has lived in Wānaka since 1996. Her business history includes retail and tourism and up until 2024 she was a full time farmer. She says: “one of the best things about this town is that people are passionate about and involved in its future”. Meg continues to be actively involved in a wide range of social, cultural and community initiatives around the Upper Clutha, and beyond.
Deputy Chair: Mark Sinclair
Mark has lived in Wānaka for a total of 23 years, returning from 18 years in the UK seven years ago. Having spent plenty of time in places where growth and development have been poorly handled, he says we have a unique opportunity to get it right in Wānaka. “We’ve got one chance – and this is it.” His motivation for involvement in WSG is the “appalling way in which Council has been failing to communicate with transparency and good faith.”
Secretary: Wayne Hudson
Wayne has an extensive legal career, including many years as a partner of Bell Gully and then Hudson Gavin Martin. He moved to Wānaka over nine years ago and still operates as a part-time legal consultant. He is also involved in the local community as a trustee of both Startup Queenstown Lakes and the Alpine Community Development Trust, as well as supporting numerous community and not for profit organisations in the district.
Treasurer: Ellen Dellis
Ellen joined WSG at treasurer in 2025. She has lived in Wānaka for many years, and loves the Upper Clutha Community. Ellen is a keen motorbike rider, and in 2015 rode a Suzuki DR650 from Alaska to Argentina along with her husband Andi. The trip included a couple of crashes (one each for good measure), being mugged and a volcanic eruption nearby. Other than that, Ellen says it was “a walk in the park.”
Committee Member: Nikki McKay
Nikki McKay has lived in Wānaka for 23 years, and is a busy mother of three boys who attend St Bede’s College. Nikki has been involved in local businesses and running a horse stud here in Wānaka, as well as involvement in many community initiatives and events including the annual A&P Show.
Committee Member: Michael Ross. Michael has spent most of his professional life in local government as a Chief Executive. He has owned property in Wānaka for over 50 years. He is acutely aware of the pressures which are already affecting our community and the environment. He believes that development of the Wānaka Airport will only speed up the growth challenges we face here in the Southern Lakes. Michael previously served as Chair of WSG.
The committee represents only a third of the total team working to keep Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc. moving. You can also find out about our Core Team here.
