Deputy Mayor Nelson District Council

Rohan O’Neill-Stevens is a politician, activist, resource management commissioner, and campaigner. First elected to Nelson City Council in 2019, as its youngest ever councillor, they were appointed Deputy Mayor in 2022.

Rohan is involved in a range of local and national organisations, with a focus on climate action, arts and creativity, urban development, indigenous self-determination, and youth engagement and development. They’ve worked extensively in bringing regional challenges into national discussions, and encouraging an intersectional, intergenerational approach to decision-making.

In addition to their role as Deputy Mayor, Rohan serves as the Co-Chair of LGNZ’s Young Elected Members Network, as the President of the New Zealand Local Authority Traffic Institute, advocating for safe and sustainable transport, and as Chair of the Showquest Charitable Trust, New Zealand’s biggest performing arts competition.